Proud Mama Moments

As I mentioned previously, one of the activities I have been doing with Grace this winter is open gym. (A little background info on this event: lots and lots of children under the age of 6 all in one place with some unobservant parents). Her very favorite thing to do while we are there is jump on the trampoline or run down the tumble track. As I said, there are many children all wanting to do the same thing so there are rules for their safety, like only one child on a piece of equipment at a time. Here comes my proud moment; My daughter always waits her turn, even if she has to wait longer because some other child has cut in front of her, and always gives up her trampoline as soon as someone else wants a turn. She happily hops over to the side and says "someone else's turn". It makes me so happy. Especially when I am seeing it in contrast to some of the other children (and parents for that matter). I have actually seen parents encourage their kids to just "hop right on there" even if another child is already there. Okay, enough ranting about other parents. Zach had to tell me to calm down several times yesterday. I guess I get a little too worked up about it (I know what you are all thinking, "you? Never!"). I just hate when Grace ends up missing out because someone else is misbehaving. Okay, really done now. Bottom line, I am so proud of how happy Grace is to share and take turns.

Another proud moment, or happy moment as may be more appropriate, is that Grace has started saying "I love you". For a long time she would say it only when prompted and even then only if she felt like it. If we said "I love you Gracie" (which we do quite often. I am surprised it took her so long to catch on) she would respond with either "no" or "okay". Not quite the heartwarming response we were looking for. Recently though she has started saying "I love you mommy" or, "I love you Daddy". It makes me smile every time. Yesterday she just randomly came up to me and said it then asked for a hug and a kiss. It made me so happy I wanted to cry!

Finally, and this is on report from Zach because I was at the store when it happened, Grace sang her whole alphabet with only two mistakes. She being the first child I have spent significant amounts of time with I have no idea what is considered "normal" development for this sort of thing, but I was pretty proud to hear it. She has always been strong with her numbers (we play UNO a-lot) but this was the first time she demonstrated her letter skills. So proud!

Anyway, I post these things because they are precious memories to me and to remind myself that although I could be making more money or advancing my career by working outside the home, I would be sacrificing the opportunity to witness and experience these beautiful moments in my daughter's life. For me, all the money and respect in the world would not make up for that loss. I am so grateful to be home with Grace, and soon Hannah, and to get to watch them become the people they are going to be.