Charlie

 I often feel like I'm getting to experience two very different forms of motherhood. There's the special needs motherhood experience, and there is the "typical" (if there is such a thing) motherhood experience. And even though there are experiences and feelings that are common to both types of parenting...sometimes it feels like a completely different world. I'm thankful that I get to experience both. 

I think I'm noticing this more lately because Charlie's language is exploding, and we are talking and communicating with such ease...all day long. For instance, about fifty times a day Charlie will ask me what I'm doing.

Charlie: mommy, whatcha doin'?

Me: I'm washing dishes, what are you doing?

Charlie: I, uh, um, I don't know!

And because Charlie is two, and has a lot of emotions, I've been trying to teach him the right language to express his feelings. I think it's a little confusing for him. This afternoon when he woke up from his nap our conversation went like this...

Charlie: I feel angry!

Me: I'm sorry you feel angry, do you want to tell my why you feel angry?

Charlie: no! I feel sad!

Me: oh, you're sad? Sometimes I feel sad too. Do you wanna talk about it? 

Charlie: no, I'm ok. I feel happy!

This morning after Aubrey had left for school, he was sitting on a kitchen stool while I made him a snack. I started just talking to him. I was just telling him a story and kind of just rambling on and on...just for the sake of talking. Then suddenly I just stopped talking and looked at him...and he was watching me very intently, and then he said.."uh-huh?"  Like he was waiting for me to get to the point already. And it just struck me as so funny, I just busted up laughing.

All this this is to say, he is pretty cute, and funny, and I really enjoy the one on one time we get to spend together when Sis is at school. I am lucky. And I know I will never take for granted how wonderful it is to have my child talk to me.