The Bennett Family

If someone had asked me what I’d be at this point in my life when I was 2, I’d have said, “A doctor.” If the same question had been asked of me at 14, I would have said, “Studying to be a brain surgeon.” If someone had asked me just before I turned 21, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Now, at age 23, I am a college graduate, but not studying medicine, and with no plans to do so in the future. I do, however, love my life and the path that took me here.

 I am a wife and mother who is celebrating her second wedding anniversary today.  It feels like such a big accomplishment to have been happily married for two years. I know that this isn’t a unique accomplishment, and I’m glad that it’s not. I like having hope that there are many, many years ahead, and while I know that it isn’t just hope that will make that wish come true, I think the hope is still important.

I have learned a lot about life, love, and even myself in these last two years. I would never have thought it so enjoyable to give so fully of myself to my husband and to my little daughter. I’ve learned a lot about compromise and how to really be happy. Now, after the best two years of my life, every day I look forward to the time when my husband comes home to Lorelei and me and we can play together as a family. Simple day-to-day life has taken on an entirely new meaning. These experiences  of being a family remind me of my childhood and are the greatest joys I have ever felt.

Motherhood is an adventure, to be sure. I've learned a lot since Lorelei was born almost 6 months ago (where does time go?), and I thought that I'd share some of my most recently acquired wisdom for this blog entry.

1) Whenever you have no idea where the camera is, something cute will happen.

2) Rice cereal is sticky. I don't know why they don't use it instead of glue, or why it's that sticky... but it is. Then again, I've never tried to (gently) scrape glue off of an infant's face, but the cereal was worse to get off of me.

3) Answering a call from your mother-in-law while feeding said infant daughter will result in her grabbing the spoon out of your hand and chewing it, followed by grabbing the cereal cup and eating straight from it with her hands.

This was a very interesting experience, to say the least. I'd show you pictures, but go back and look at number one.

I've also learned that babies get mad at you for letting them do the things they want to do, at random. Rather like teenagers, I suspect. The biggest culprit with Lorelei is nap time. She's also been learning to put weight on her feet. She gets frustrated at not being able to get it quite right, but then she gets upset if you help.

At least she still likes to be loved.