Physically exhausting, Physically rewarding

Parenting little children is a physical endeavor. I cannot really speak to parenting older children since my oldest is only 3, however I assume it will be more mental than physical. The demands on a young parent involve using your body to care for theirs. There are tushies to be wiped, dressing and undressing, bathing, kissing boo-boos, meals to be prepared and fed, clutter to be cleaned, beds to be changed, and the list goes on. A mother is responsible for all of her own physical needs and all of her childrens', plus the vast majority of their household duties since they are simply too small to pitch in. While there are certainly mental challenges (how do I handle THIS new behavior?), the physical challenges predominate. And so do the physical rewards.

Last night, Mother's Day, I went in to kiss my son goodnight after his daddy tucked him in. I laid next to him and he wrapped his small arms around me. I hugged him. I know every inch of his body and his sister's. They are as familiar to me as my own. I marveled at how different it feels to hold him now than it did two years ago. How different he is than my daughter. He is so lean and long now; the baby fat has all but disappeared. He seems all arms and legs. There is no hugging a squishy little form now. It's more like hugging a tree. He told me he liked the sound of my breathing; he asked to feel my heartbeat and then asked me to feel his. He asked for butterfly kisses and giggled when I "kissed" his forehead. The he asked to lie quietly next to me. I cannot think of a better way to end Mother's Day (or any other day). Even now I can see that these physical moments with him are becoming more and more seldom. Sooner than I would like, I will have to settle for a stolen hug here are there.

My daughter is in the throes of stranger anxiety. When someone she doesn't know well speaks to her or comes too near, she buries her head in my shoulder and clings to me for dear life. I'll admit it. I love this stage. It's a normal part of her development to realize who her family is and that they are safe and will care for her needs. Each and every time this happens, I remember how much time I spent being the scary stranger, wondering if I'd ever be the safe mommy. Not to mention that I get these wonderful cuddles, her body melting perfectly into my neck and shoulder.

There are most certainly days that I am beyond wiped out by the time everyone is tucked safely into bed (everyday, in fact). It is physically exhausting to change, prepare, clean up and carry all day long. But the reward for all of that work, the snuggles of your babies, ah... I will cherish these moments forever. And while there are moments in every day when I think, "I cannot WAIT until they are old enough to do this themselves," I also know that all too soon they WILL be able to do it themselves. My son said it best the other night. "But, I don't want to get big. I just want to be who I am."