she loved it all.

They say the newborn days are hard. No sleep, raging hormones, too much laundry, leaky boobs.

but i loved them. 

The fresh-from-heaven smell that only lasted a second. The sleeping on my chest. The milk drunk smiles. The swaddling and rocking and tiny baby feet. The doll-sized clothes, too small in a week. The tiny diapers. 

They say the baby months are hard. Spit-up and sleep training gone wrong and so much being stuck at home. The storing milk and fussy nights up long, with teeth breaking through.

but i loved them.

The gummy smiles and first giggles. The learning to crawl and eyes opening in wonder to more and more of the world around. The cooing and babbling and reaching up for my necklace. The favorite blanket and bigger diapers (again) and learning to find pacifiers at midnight.

They say the toddler stage is hard. Tantrums and attitudes and frustrating communication. Disobedience and hitting, kicking, and biting. The “NO!s” and the running away when mom says “come.”

but i love it.

She’s hilarious! The funny sayings and words that aren’t quite right but almost, and the way she says, “I WUFF you mama!” The amazement and wonder over the simplest of life’s joys--like the first time noticing the moon and the stars. The reading books and learning to run in circles and jump and sing! The learning, oh, the learning! 

They say the childhood years are hard. Accidents and messes and the wanting of more independence. Vying for time and pulling us in too many different directions. When school is frustrating and when they get bored.

but i’m going to love them.

Little humans who have so much to say and do, and who find unending joy in PLAY. Make believe and making friends and making mistakes that don’t hurt anyone too badly. Learning to read and write and try new things. Riding bikes and flying kites and seeing sights.Eyes wide open and arms just wanting mama’s hugs, and kisses goodnight.

They say the teenage years are hard. Rebellion and rules and strained relationships. Fights and ugly words and body image issues. Apathy and disdain for authority and a leaving behind of everything they were taught.

but i am so excited.

For mature conversations and watching them spread their wings and learn to fly. For mistakes that are forgiven and learning to drive and all the questions they’ll ask. For friends coming over and long summer days and watching them compete. Learning to win well and lose even better. For budding talents and the world as their oyster and all their ideas for life.

These babies of ours? God simply calls them blessings. Blessings always, in every circumstance, forever and ever. 

Someday, I simply want my stone to read: she loved it all.