Chase: 3, My Self-Esteem: 0

With my passion of writing comes my passion to find meaning in things- even if it isn't always there.  Being a parent has taught me that sometimes, I just need to take things at face value. 

Exhibit A:  The other day while Chase and I were walking outside (holding hands of course, because frankly, he isn't going to want to hold my hand for much longer so I need to take advantage of it now.) Chase looks at me and says, “You can always be my lady.”  As I attempted to hold back tears of simple delight, I looked at my little guy and said, “I will always be your lady.”  Then, looking directly back at me he says, without even blinking, “Yeah, my lady who always eats my snacks.”  (Chase:1, My self-esteem: 0)

Exhibit B: Chase and I were in the living room playing blocks, because I mean what else would I be doing on a Friday night?  Out of nowhere Chase says, “Mommy, you are on my side.”  Thinking this was some sort of relationship epiphany, I replied, “I will always be on your side buddy, no matter what I will be by your side.  You can always count on me.”  He then looked at me and said, “No, you are on my side of the blocks. You are blocking the red block that’s mine.”  (Chase: 2, My self-esteem: (still) 0)

Exhibit C: The other morning I got sick and was throwing up.  (No. It was not morning sickness as my father so kindly asked.) I must have caught a flu bug.  Cory was on a guy’s trip so it was just me and Chase at home.  I was in the bathroom sitting on a children’s stool with my head in the toilet (I was a little happy that I had a child that required a stool to reach the faucet because the stool came in handy and actually made my puking experience a little bit better than simply sitting on the cold tile).  Chase had followed me into the bathroom.  He laid his tiny little hand on my back and patted it.  In between hurling into the toilet I thought, Wow, my child is so sweet.  He is trying to make me feel better.  Moments later Chase asked, “Mommy, if you are puking who is going to turn on Scooby Doo for me?”   

(Chase: 3, My self-esteem: 0)

My self-esteem had one hell of a week.