The small pleasures of parenthood - what are yours?

[frazzledgirl]

DS is 19 months now, and when I tell my non-parent friends what I'm doing I'm always struck by how small life sounds, but also how you can't convey the joys properly.

This week's have included:

The first time he's said Hello to me on the phone

Watching his face light up as we took a rattly train out to the end of the pier (I had a huge grin on my face all the way)

The little dance he did at the end of the bed this morning which left DH and I in stitches.

The spontaneous cuddle I got in the middle of typing that last one. [sniff emoticon]

Your nominations?

"mummy you have a very big bottom. but i like it because it wobbles like jelly. i like jelly. i like orange jelly best. i like jelly better than you mummy"

DD is 8 and DS is 4 at the moment mine include,

Hearing them read,

Any time they are actually being nice to each other,

DS wanting a checked trilby because it was "coool",

DD telling me a boy has a crush on her even though I was silently

DS still smelling like a baby,

Their angel faces when they sleep.

mankymummy lol, my sis told my Mum she was a big, fat, cushion with legs when she was about 2!

Mankymummy, how old is your DC? Tis a fabulous comment...

Bonding with fellow Mums and Dads.
We have met some amazing people since becoming parents.

Watching ds really start getting into reading he is 11 and showed no interest for ages .

When dd1 gives me a genuine no reason cuddle she has dyspraxia and does not like cuddles .

Having 5am conversations with dd2 about why pirates drink rum .

DD3 laugh makes everyone smile .

DD4 Always wanting to read peepo at 11am every weekday .

New baby feeling her kicking and when she starts swooshing around a lot when the dc are making lots of noise .

I love the funny things my 4 yr old says. Like 'Mummy, when I'm really, really big I can get married...to you' (Ahhhh, bless. How to explain the 'wrongness' of incestuous relationships to a pre-schooler? )

My 14 wk old's smiles. Full stop. They are absolutely heartmelting, and just make me so happy.

Mumsnet!

Cuddling up together in bed. Bliss.

The simply hilarious comments with impeccable logic. The farmer would of course work at the pharmacy, no?

Kissing me to wake me up in the morning (albeit at 6:15 ).

The angelic sleeping face.

The look of comprehension as he puts new ideas and thoughts together, esp at the mo as he is learning his letters for the first time.

Talking to his grandparents on the phone and insisting on taking the phone out to see the new car, assuming they can see it through the phone (they all gamely played along).

Being so patient with having a daddy in a wheelchair; he's totally cool with it and the other kids in his nursery are really envious he gets to go home on a 'wheelbuggy' instead of boring old legs-pushchair-car like them

Sleep.

DS (2.11) telling me today that he wants a baby, so "you tell daddy to help you make a baby when he gets home!" Ok darling - think we might wait until you've gone to bed to start on that one.

Seeing my DS and my parents adore each other to pieces.

also just the random, often plainly weird things he thinks up. I would have to take drugs to have an imagination any way near as vivid (salt grinder became a tiger today)

The 5 of us (dh, myself, the trying to be cool but usually failing miserably, bless his heart 11 year old, the 9 year old and the almost 2 year old) all lying in 'the big bed' singing "there was 5 in the bed" with the little one giving a little scream and a little shout at the appropriate time. Doesn't get better than that...

DD1 (4) reading - she is rather good and I love hearing her read her school books.

DD2 (3) the way she tells me she is my best friend... I could gobble her up!

DS (1) the way he knows when its bed time, will toddle into the lounge, say "bahhh" (bye) and toddle off to the stair gate and climb up the stairs, stopping to say "bahhh" on the way.

Also, when they are poorly and just want cuddles and comfort.

The way they adore Grandad and wont leave him alone when he is here!

DS2 5months starting to chuckle when i smother him in kisses.
DD 14 yrs liking the things i wear so much so she borrows them or asks me to buy her the same!
DS1 2yrs - watching his face light up when i told him we were going for a little picnic. He hugged my knees and said "oh thank you mummy!"

A glass of Chardonnay once the kids are in bed - or is that not in the spirit of this thread?

7pm ahhhh

Ok then undressing DS2 (4 months) when its bathtime- giggles aplenty.

Mornings when they both snuggle in bed with me

Push ups with DS2- lots of squeaks and giggles and toned biceps for me!

Collection time at nursery for DS1- runs accross room to give me massive hug and excited telling of the days events while jumping up and down!!

I could eat them

DS telling me that I am gorgeous, or beautiful and young and he really thinks it is a fact... (he has speech delay and some special needs so a lot of what he says makes my heart swell)

DD's imagination makes me smile.

I love hearing them play together too.

ds blowing big raspberries on my tummy and saying 'helloooo little piggy baby'
(I'm 6mths pg. Will he be as keen when said piggy baby comes out? Jury's out on that one...)

...and 'family cuddles' in bed in the morning.

DD1 comforting DD2 if she cries (normally after a fight with her) by saying 'It's okay my darling, I'm here, can I kiss it better?'

Hearing them both giggling together inside their tent/sheet over chairs.

DD2's new game 'Mummy? Mummy? Mummy? Mummy?.....

long pause........

Boo!