Mommy Moment

The Munchkin in 2006

     I just had a Mommy Moment. A moment that shoots you back to childhood, back to a time when you promised yourself that when you were a Mommy you would share this with your daughter. Maybe you aren't like me, didn't have such silly fleeting thoughts about your future parenting skills. Let me back up, I wasn't really a little girl who grew up dreaming about being a Mommy. I had my moments, carried my baby dolls around and played house, but the times where I actually imagined being a parent were few and far between. When the the extra little blue line on that strip popped up five years ago I was pretty shocked and completely caught off guard. Now, she is my life. Literally, because as a stay/work at home mom, my whole life  is about her. Since I run a tiny in home daycare even my work is about the monkey. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had chosen different forks on my way through life, but looking back I don't regret the choices that lead me here. I love my family and my life, no matter how difficult it seems some days.
     The me of ten years ago could never have imagined the woman she would become. The dancing science nerd who was going to conquer the world of DNA science and free innocent people from prison with DNA evidence would never have even considered the life that awaits her. A life full of messes and crying, giggles and screams, sewing and crafting, baking and swim lessons, play dates and Dr.Suess. She knew exactly where she was going and all that domestic stuff would never make her happy. Now the me of twenty years ago, she had more time so she could imagine many, many more possibilities. The me of twenty years ago hadn't narrowed down any options yet so she could see the day, in one future, where she and her child would sit and have tea parties and play dress up or curl up and read some books. She was a lot closer to the truth. Here is my Mommy Moment;

     We had a surprise birthday tea party for the Munchkin's American Girl doll, Lyssa. She and I worked tirelessly through the afternoon creating custom party hats for the party goers. The super select invite list included only: munchkin, me, Grey and Purple kitties, Shamu, Izzy the Tiger, and Puppy. We baked some blueberry muffins for the occasion, since those are Lyssa's favorite, of course. Munchkin thoughtfully chose the liners for the party muffins and carefully measured the ingredients. The best part was, it was fun! I am the first to admit that there are things that would entertain my child for hours on end that I do not like doing. This was a blast for both of us! She carefully set a place for each guest, offering tea or coffee and snacks besides the muffins while I served some ice tea for the breathing guests. When everything was just so, she went to get the guest of honor and I (and the other guests, of course) shouted "Surprise!" when she returned. Lyssa blew out her candle, with a little help from munchkin, after we sang Happy Birthday.
     I remember thinking "This is the stuff I've been waiting for!" Because, these are the kinds of things she'll remember as she grows up. She will remember that I get grouchy in the mornings, that sometimes I lose my patience too fast but, I hope she will also remember that I love to dance and sing off key when no one is home but us, and she'll remember her favorite books we read together, the artwork we've made, and she will remember that we had birthday tea parties for Lyssa. When the party finally came to an end and the guests went back to their homes in Munchkin's room, we sat on the sofa and watched the Cowboys beat the 49ers. That's something that even the me of ten years ago could have appreciated.