Two Sides of Mothering

There are two sides to mothering. The first side is the glamorous side. This side includes the hugs, the smiles and all that is enjoyable about it. The second side is the unglamorous side. This side includes the sleepless nights, explosive diapers, cleaning up after sick kids, and the crying that doesn't seem to end after numerous rounds of trying everything possible. It's amazing how both sides coexist.

This week has been slowly increasing on the unglamorous side. Each morning this week, I've awaken to Samuel crying, "Da-da, Da-da" in a voice that tells me that something is wrong. (He knows how to say momma, but chooses to call me da-da instead.) When I've gone in to get him, I could tell that he was sick sometime during the night. Each day it has gotten worse with the climax being today. Samuel has pretty much gotten a bath almost every morning this week, since that was the easiest way to clean him up. He loves baths and could take one several times a day, but was very sore and didn't enjoy it this morning. I'm very thankful that we have our own washing machine and dryer, because it has been used every day this week. I'm really hoping that whatever bug he has will clear his system quickly. I really don't enjoy waking up to that each morning (who would). It doesn't really start the day off right. I have to really keep in mind that he has no control over it and is not doing it on purpose. (Especially when I'm so tired and foggy from just waking up.) This does result in extra snuggling in the morning, since he (and I) need it. Even though this is the side of mothering that is less than desired, it still is a part of it and makes me appreciate the glamorous side.