Joys of life

[Lazarus]

Before I was married all my smug married friends told me about the wonderful joys of having children. Well, now I have two of my own, a 2 year old and a newborn. Today was a rainy Saturday and I spent the entire day burping the baby, changing diapers, watching Winnie the Pooh videos, reading children's books, sitting my daughter on the potty (and wiping her afterwards), feeding her spaghetti (and changing her shirt), giving her juice (and changing her shirt again), making brownies, making paper bunny rabbits, putting a band aid on a sore elbow, and soothing hurt feelings because Mommy holds the baby too much, and finally singing my throat raw as I put the her down to sleep. Right now I'm nursing the best tasting bourbon in the world and my wife is too exhausted to do anything but close her eyes. We have to get up early for church tomorrow (and I'm dreading it). I was just wondering, are there any other great joys of life that I've been missing?

[spiritmech]

I haven't found any greater joy.
sm

[mossrose]

I remember those days.

They were wonderful.

Congrats, Lazarus, and Mrs. Lazarus!

:mossyay:

[Crow]

Before I was married all my smug married friends told me about the wonderful joys of having children. Well, now I have two of my own, a 2 year old and a newborn. Today was a rainy Saturday and I spent the entire day burping the baby, changing diapers, watching Winnie the Pooh videos, reading children's books, sitting my daughter on the potty (and wiping her afterwards), feeding her spaghetti (and changing her shirt), giving her juice (and changing her shirt again), making brownies, making paper bunny rabbits, putting a band aid on a sore elbow, and soothing hurt feelings because Mommy holds the baby too much, and finally singing my throat raw as I put the her down to sleep. Right now I'm nursing the best tasting bourbon in the world and my wife is too exhausted to do anything but close her eyes. We have to get up early for church tomorrow (and I'm dreading it). I was just wondering, are there any other great joys of life that I've been missing?

Yup. The joy you will experience when y'all finally get to sleep through the night. The joy of being able to talk back and forth with an amazing little human being. Getting drawn into activities that you gave up long ago, (sounds like you've had some of that already) and rediscovering just how interesting rocks and bugs and a found pigeon feather can be. And there's the biggie--the joy of seeing them go through the same thing someday with your grandchildren, who you are free to gift with kazoos, drums, paint sets, modeling clay, and other items which strike fear into your heart right now.

*remembers the joy of teaching her young nephew to sing "Great Big Gobs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts."*

[Little Shepherd]

Ohmigosh, your day sounds wonderful! I'm so jealous. *wants so many children*

[spiritmech]

This weekend is Easter weekend in the Eastern church. I was telling my 5 year old daughter about Jesus and the cross. She kept asking me to tell her more about Jesus. Priceless.
sm

[Soyeong]

I think it is just one of those things that is better to have gone through it that to go through it.

[Michelle]

Nope, I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat

[Soyeong]

I meant more along the lines that after you have gone through it, it shifts your perspective on whether it was good to go through it away from how you felt as you were going through it.

[Chaotic Void]

Lucky Bum... now I want kids even more...

[Lazarus]

Kids are a great pleasure and joy and I'm very grateful for my children, but they are a lot of hard work, too. I don't think I've ever had a more difficult job. I've gained a new appreciation for my parents who raised four boys in an era when only cotton diapers were available. No Pampers? It may not be ecologically correct, but if a riot breaks out in my town I'm looting the infant section in our grocery store. You can have the plasma screen televisions! Seriously though, I also have renewed respect for single parents, military wives, and others who, for one reason or another, must raise their children without the blessing of a loving spouse nearby. And a prayer; though your yoke is heavy, may your burdens always be light.