The best things about being a parent...

[scoobysnax]

I thought it would be great to have a happy thread to look at! What are the best things about being a parent for you?

Here are some of mine:
everytime my daughter laughs
when she sings an action song all the way through complete with the actions
when she tells me she likes "my new hair"
when she says "it's a wonderful day"
when she says "Thank you, Mummy"

Some of my best moments:

When she falls asleep in my arms.
When she calls "mum-meeeee" to coax me back into her bedroom when I've just put her to bed.
When she spontaneously hugs me.
When she comes to me for comfort.

unconditional love....

Picking DS up from nursery at the end of the day, when he races towards me whooping: "it's MY mummeeeee.... it's MY mummeeee..." and giggles uncontrollably as he gives me huge hugs.

This doesn't happen every day.

When he turns to me for comfort.
When he kisses or cuddles me on his own initiative.
When he gives me that cheeky look before he turns to do something he's not allowed to.
When he remembers something I have shown him and copies.

when I picked up dd from nursery yesterday, she & two other 2 yr olds kissed my bare, heavily pregnant tummy...ahhhhhhh

Just holding a little hand whilst walking along and thinking "I made this!"

when he dances (keeps me laughing for hours)
when he wakes up smiling
when he tells dp that it's mammy's house, mammy's car but daddy's TV.
when he knows I'm upset and tries to kiss it better
when he uses the words "i love you" to get another biscuit, such manipulation, so young.
when he plays with his friends.

Hmm, nap times and with children there's always chocolate in the house. Maybe I'm on the wrong thread!

nuzzling into a hot little head last thing at night
all four of us in bed in the morning: tea x2, milk x2
seeing their total excitement at the prospect of a box of smarties
when DS tells me 'your stories are better than Daddy's'
total unconditional trust and love
DS2 falling asleep on me in a restaurant
seeing them naked after a bath and admiring their beautiful little pink bodies (thnking "I made those.." )

..being a parent!

Playing silly games in public (and completely sober).

Justifying having nursery rhyme CDs playing in the car and having the window wound down and singing along out loud....in public!

Those beautiful blue eyes lighting up when she sees me!

Giggling in bed in the mornings with DD, DH & Dpd (puppy dog)

Little bottom in the mirror when we walk past on the way to the bath.

Saying "my daughter" to people after waiting 4 years to have her

that warm little cuddly body coming into bed with me first thing in the morning and snuggling up so we're like spoons
Ds dancing - he calls it 'shakin' his boody' and it's very funny (deliberately)
The fact that it really makes me realise what is and isn't important in life. I still get wound up over trivia mind you, but not as much
Ds making me laugh
unconditional love, from me to him and vice versa
Really thinking I'm going to be leaving someone good and amazing behind when my time's up.

Being given all the "pretty flowers" in the garden (daisies and dandelions in case you think all my borders have been plundered!)

Dd leaping into my arms when she get up in the morning all soft and warm.
Ds grinning excitedly in his classline when he spots me on his way out of school.
Ds and Dd spontaneously telling me they love me.
Rediscovering the excitement of Easter/Christmas/Birthdays through the eyes of a child.
Looking at how big, strong, healthy and intelligent they are growing and thinking 'I must be doing something right!!!

I love it when my my dd climbs into bed with us for a cuddle. and when she comes up to me and gives me a big hug and tells me how much she loves me, aaaahhhh
I also agree with nutjob, looking at her and thinking she's growing healthier and stronger every day I must be doing something right.

Dd said to me yesterday when I was struggling into grown-up clothes for my weekly reality check at distant office: "Mummy I yove it when you come back from Yondon."

That's yovley!

the smell of baby hair!
'I love you Mummy'
Dd has also got old enough to realise when I am dressed up and sometimes says 'you look pretty Mummy' - only person who ever does!
cuddles - and wet sloppy kisses!

dd never failing to make us laugh everyday with her actions and phrases

and since having dd becoming closer to my parents and dh's - not so sure about the MIL though

agree with getting closer to parents but flipside is relationship with MIL gets trickier!

When my ds takes my face in his hands and rubs noses with me, then gives me a big kiss. He has the most beautiful smile and it makes me feel all warm & fuzzy just looking at him.

I had quite the opposite. Mum became a slight pain in the bum and MIL was fab..although she does live in Southampton and I in London!

Another great thing about parenting is when you work out what your toddler is trying to ask for, even though it sounds like babble initially. Love it when you can actually have a conversation (of sorts) with them

I love the way my ds beams at me when I go into his room to get him up and ready for nursery in the morning.

when ds says the things which i have taught him..........sometimes correcting me when i am in the wrong