you be great

Our days are met with more flow than ebb lately. Since Brians' travels and my being alone with the girls, I've found a way to connect to the magic of mothering. And what I mean is the creative being with children. The house hasn't lost anything by me not paying so much attention to it, in fact somehow, in this shift, my house is doing just fine. No major wash pileups, no unbeardble messes that haven't been tended to. (Well, the floor under Teagan's seat at the table is rather questionable...but...!!!). We've eaten just as well but somehow it's just been easier lately. And I'm teaching quite a lot of swimming lessons. But in it, I've taken some steps back and found an easier path. (Not my usual way, so I am quite proud of myself for this shifting.) It is, of course, a constant shifting whether or not I am engaged in it but for now, the shift is subtle and soothing.

A few funny moments in our house lately with both girls. Here's a few:






Teagan has been sitting on the potty, completely on her own accord and the other day she climbed up there and peed. She then motioned for the toilet paper, which Brian handed to her. She wiped and put it in the potty. She is amazing us, really. Mostly the amazement comes from the fact that with our first children such as with Tessa, we tried to match her development. She would present something to us and we'd offer it or provide the situation for her to repeat whatever it was that she had done. But with Teagan, and because she has Tessa sho sets the pace for our activities (using the potty for example) Teagan has an opportunity to do more. By do more, I simply mean we give her the chance to amaze us. It's as if, she, and I truly believe most children, have great potential if only we give them the opportunity.

Teagan is also diving to the bottom of the pool (with a little push) and picking up toys. Even me, as a swim teacher, never did this with Tessa as 14 months. But Teagan sees Tessa and why not?

After nursing Teagan the other night at bedtime, she laid down on the bed and looked at me then patted her butt. I followed her lead, patted her butt and she fell asleep within minutes... what our children are telling us, if only we listen!


As for Ms. Tess, as she approaches her 3rd birthday (which she clearly and proudly will tell you is September 15. Not 15th but 15) she has been finding such ease. She's managing to temper herself before reacting. I see it as her being able to identify her feelings and then process them before they take over. The other night she wasn't too happy about my having her sit up on my lap to read stories, as she wanted to be jumping on the bed!

So in my arms, very tired but resisting me, she said, "Mama I no loving you right now." I said, "That's okay, Tessa. I still love you." She repeated her statement, "I no loving you and I no like your hair in that kind of ponytail. It no look pretty." I then said, "Tessa it sounds like you're feeling angry, huh? I could understand that."

We proceeded to read the story and then she looked up, touched my face and said,"You are pretty mama." So many things happening in that conversation! Her identifying her emotions, her expressing them, moving on, then her apology in the end.

Today, as I left to teach swimming, she was crying a bit. I told her I would read with her when I got home and she felt soothed. She said, "Mama, I walk you out to your car. You take Dada's car, right? And I walk you out. You seem to have your hands full mama, I shut the door for you so you not be too tired for swimming lessons."

She kissed me and shut the car door. Opened the car door and said, "Mama you be great at swimming, k? You be great!"

And on that note, may we all be great!