Mountain gorilla mommy

The annual back-to-school blog

Today’s the first day back to school.  The routine returns. Yes! I love routine… I’m back at home with just my baby. He’d correct me: A-hem, I mean my big boy. He’s 4 and we’re doing preschool at home this year, getting ready for Kinder next year. My oldest is a 3rd grader and my middle child a 1st grader.

The first day of school is always an emotional day for me. Leaving my big kids is never easy and yet they’re always so excited for their new school year, for their latest adventure. That at least makes it a little easier on me. We say our prayers, cross our fingers, communicate a lot and then say our goodbyes. Trusting the teachers to take good care of my babies while they’re away from me, that’s a huge deal. Trusting God to make something great out of these little people, even huge-er.

Several years ago my sister introduced me to a movie about the amazing mountain gorilla. Mountain gorilla mommies rock. They don’t even let go of their newborns for the first 3 months of life. After that, they don’t let the babies out of their sight for the next 2 years. I’ve learned a lot about a mother’s love through the mountain gorillas. Beautiful and ferocious mommies that they are.

This summer Grant became a member of the booster seat club and closed a chapter not just on car seats but on many things baby. I no longer have children who take naps, or require strollers. I sleep through the night. I no longer change diapers, so I don’t carry a diaper bag. I don’t even carry baby wipes! (Which I could  totally still use sometimes…)

I’ve definitely turned a corner in parenthood. The corner I couldn’t get a glimpse of 8-1/2 years ago. Not even 4 years ago. Turning that corner so far has been about 49% bitter and 51% sweet.

I love my children, I love being a stay at home mom (SAHM)  and I feel present with them no matter what stage they’re in. Having said that, as they grow further from babyhood I feel more space in my mind return for things Candice. I’m still figuring how to prioritize those things but in the mean time I don’t mind being honest that I’m grateful for the opportunity to begin a new chapter in my life.

I’m wondering what mountain gorilla mommies do after the first two years have passed…

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