Books, wonderful books...

The past few weeks seem to have zipped on by! How does that happen, seriously??? Summer is fading fast, the sun is setting earlier and the nights here in Minnesota are already dipping back into the 50s.

One of my goals this summer was to ditch the TV (more often) and read again! I used to devour a stack of books when I had free time. Though my free time is relegated to after Cole goes to sleep, I was determined to at least get through a few titles since my HAVE READS thus far this year have been a measly five or so and my TO READS are literally fifty plus!

I have also breathed a sigh of relief recently as Cole has taken to loving books. In previous months, Cole was not at all interested in being read to nor in turning pages. This activity required him to SIT and/or be still and SIT (and be still) are not in his list of action verbs. Even at Montessori when many of the other kids are hanging out in the circle listening to story time, my little guy is moving around the room, listening I'm sure but on his terms.

However, one fine day, when for the umpteenth time I attempted to read to him, he engaged and let me actually read the text on the pages! He now readily picks up a book from the various bins I have placed around the house for him and comes to us with the "ummm, can you read to me?" look in his eye as he holds the book out. He gets impatient if you don't comply so I do try to remember that it is important to stop what I am doing (within reason) and foster his desire to READ!

Now it is so cute to watch him excitedly finish his bath, get into his PJs and with anticipation run to the pile of books and choose a few. He then backs up into my lap (he has always done that...LOL), plops himself down and begins turning pages. I don't get to actually always read the full text since I can't keep up with his fast little fingers but I do point out objects in the illustrations which slows him down a tad.

Cole and I go to the library every week to freshen our inventory of bedtime tales. Since his books are only 8, 10, 12 pages with simple sentences it is important for my sanity to visit our branch EVERY week. Our library system is great and I have an online account where I can reserve titles (since perusing shelves with a 20 month old isn't reality). So I read a review or come across a title in a magazine and I log on and place it on my list.

As for my bedtime reading, at the end of the day I have little energy left, so I am proud of myself if I can finish a chapter or two each evening. This means that it takes me weeks to finish an average length novel but I am slowly chipping away at my reading wish list and once again enjoying the power of words.

Cleaning out emails, I came across this poem that was forwarded to me back when I was pregnant with Cole. Obviously, at the time I received it, I had no idea how it would resonate with me as I continue to grow and learn how to be a parent! Each day, I am in awe of what Cole teaches me and how I am a better person for becoming his mom.

BEFORE I WAS A MOM:

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.