What are your unexpected joys of parenthood?

[milkyman]

Today I skipped and sang down Sainsbury's aisles with my 2yr ds. Life doesn't really get any better.

The gummy smile.

DS is 6 months, and really is the most smiley baby, he grins at everyone and everything. I love the delight he gets from the simplest things. He is really into grabbing his toes at the moment and every time he does it he is thrilled like he has made the discovery for the first time.

(He doesn't hold back when he is displeased either, but the smiles make the fits of inconsolable screaming worth it).

How much I enjoy my 90 minute commute as it is a chance to have some peace & quiet!
Then general amazement that DP and I created these incredible creatures.
How happy and excited I can make them... Not just by doing things like taking them to Legoland but inviting a friend of theirs over for tea or sneaking out in PJs to take a look at the moon or taking them to the park before breakfast & then going to the bakery for a fresh croissant (only in the summer obviously!)

Not sure about that blog post. It's nice but...

"it’s just motherhood, that’s all. It’s nothing amazing and it has all been done before"

Not for your DCs. To them this is the first and only time and all of it is new.

Sharing books with my girls that I loved when I was little. Currently reading "Charlotte's Web" with my 6 year old and "Little House on the Prairie" with my 8 year old.

The way my 4 year old boy said "I REALLY love you so much Mummy" when he was half asleep but wanted a drink and I refilled his sippy cup in the middle of the night.

10 days overdue with ds2 and about to get in bath to soothe my spd, so feeling a little bit sorry for myself, looking rough and in a raggedy towelling bathrobe.

Ds1 (2.9) sees me in an Alice band to keep my hair dry. "What's that mummy? You look FABULOUS!!"

I also love when he comes in to the bathroom during my scented candle/spa like baths to offer me his ducks to play with, "because you might enjoy it, mummy."

His generosity and innocence just melts me.

Totally worth it...

"I suspected we were going to have pudding, mummy!"6 yo ds
Me: Good use of the word suspect, darling
"Mummy, I was suspecting it too" 4 yo dd
Every day, a smile.

Having someone to laugh at my terrible jokes; getting excited on behalf of my children when I see/hear something I know they would like (a big crane opposite the office I worked in); being able to impart new ( to them) knowledge; creeping in to gaze at their beautiful angelic sleeping faces every night before I go to bed; my DD's 'squeezy cuddle'.

Most surprising is how much more I feel a part of a community now I have children. Before children, I had moved to a new area to take advantage of cheaper housing and didn't know a soul; I commuted to work so spent much more time with work colleagues than anyone else, and all my socialising was away from where I live. So I felt completely anonymous in my local area. Now, with a 7 yr old and 3 yr old, at local school & nursery, the walk to school or a trip to the shop is full of greetings and smiles of recognition. And it feels good.

Being adored. I knew I would adore them, I didn;t know it would be mutual (teen years approaching, adoration might be short-lived)

Indulging my fashion fantasies in miniature

Pinching their oven chips

I remember savouring middle of the night cuddles, feeling like it's just the two of you in the world, so peaceful, me alone being able to comfort this tiny being.

She's 7 now, and so big, how did that happen? DS is 4 and so little and cuddly still.

I love watching them with their friends, chatting and playing, watching them grow, makes you very aware of time passing, I notice the years, the seasons more than I did before. Before kids I think I thought I had forever, now I understand the need to be present, because the moments don't come back.

I think that watching your children play and laugh, on days when you can sit and be, they are the best.

I have found it hard over the years but oh so many moments of watching my dds interact with each other, be there for each other, be kind to each other and make each other laugh and squeal etc. etc. How did someone as dysfunctional as me manage to create dc who actually love each other!

Wonderstuff that's so beautiful, and so true I think. My DD is so little still, only 14wks, but getting bigger and brighter every day. I spent my whole life before children living for tomorrow, now I realise that today is what is important, every day is special.

The fact that you have absolutely no idea what 'unconditional love' is until you have a child. I've been bedridden for several days with severe bacterial tonsillitis. 4yo ds came home from his cm, snuggled up to me lying down on the sofa, gave me the most enormous cuddle and kiss, then looked at me with the biggest smile on his face and said: "I love you so much mummy."

The most unexpected joy? Swimming lessons, for both dds. Taking them swimming and watching them in the lesson - half an hour of joy. Watching them at a distance, watching them concentrate and try really hard and enjoy it, and look up and wave and smile at you. Joy.

It's also half an hour to sit on your arse and do nothing, which adds to the joy.

And how hilarious they look in their swim hat and goggles.

Realising that I'd rather hear my son's laughter than any other sound in the world. It was like stepping out from under a cloud.

DS has sneaked in and got into my bed, because daddy's away. He was asleep when I came up so I'm not going to move him, or wake him up. He's nearly 10, and one day he won't want to get in with mum, but tonight it's just lovely to snuggle

After getting ready for her birthday party today and donning obvious makeup, some blingy jewellery and a hairdo better than "tie it up", Dd commented

"You look so beautiful Mummy"

My dc1 is just 16days old but I love how she grips on to me when I'm holding her, it's as if she doesn't want to go just as much as I don't want to let her go!!

DS (2) getting us to do the hokey cokey in the living room.
bedtime cutches with DD (6) when we talk about our days

when DS says uv ooo (he is 21 months) it melts my heart!!

I love it When DS comes to the door to wave me off at his childminders when I'm heading to work and When he runs to me when I return from work and hands are up to be picked up.
I love it when he says mummy, and brings me a toy or a book to show me.
I love seeing baby boy eating well.
I love everything about him ???Xxx