As a new mother, I have found that there are many times that I have to just stop and laugh; of course there are different types of laughes. For me there’s the “wow, he is so cute and acting funny, I can’t believe he is alive and walking around” laugh. The “oh my goodness, where did he learn that one from?!” laugh, which goes closely with the “now that’s hilarious looking” laugh. But I have discovered yet another laugh that is entirely different, the “I have to laugh because I am going to scream, pull may hair out, bang my head against a wall, cry, or all of the above” laugh.
I realize now that I had to be a mother before I was able to recognize this laugh in another. I remember as a single woman thinking thoughts like, “what in the world is that woman laughing at? She has one child is screaming like a banshee about wanting candy, while another is about to rocket himself out of the grocery cart, and yet other has climbed under the grocery basket onto the wire rack underneath; and I CANNOT believe that she came to the grocery store with two different shoes on!!” Ahh…life before children!!
For those who have not had a chance to meet Jackson, let me start by saying that he is truly a good kid; easy going, fun loving, yet intense at times and inquisitive. I enjoy the fact that I am the mother of a little boy, and I look forward to things like adventures, sports and games. However, I have come to realize that there is a particular quality of children, usually found moreso in boys, that makes me “laugh” till my sides hurt…I call it the mess!!! It’s as if at 9 months Jackson has discovered the love of making a mess; if it isn’t toys or books, it’s may favorite – his food!! I am becoming convinced that there is a rule somewhere that boys must put at leave half their food on themselves or others while eating!!
What makes all this funny, is that I am a just a bit of a clean freak. Yes, I admit, the “problem” is not really Jackson’s, but mine. Therefore, I have to laugh at him when he looks at me as if to say, “come on mom, roll with it, this is what I am supposed to do! Isn’t this goo just like the stuff you put in your hair?!?!”
