Rewards of motherhood

When Lara gives me one of her melt-your-heart smile when I go to get her in the morning, like she is extremely overjoyed to see me and I'm the only person she wants to see.

When Lara's tired, she holds her arms out and presses into me. Sometimes Husband holds her, but she whinges and looks to me to hold her. Of course, this behaviour is not openly encouraged (because I don't want her to be too clingy) but it's secretly enjoyed (it's my one-sided thought that maybe Lara did remember all these times I got up to feed her in the middle of the night!)

When I cough, Lara copies me by clearing her throat and doing a fake cough as if to say "oh poor mummy I hear you." Grandparents saw what Lara did last weekend and suddenly, everyone had an itchy throat...

When Lara eats all her meshy food and looks like she really enjoys it and wants more.

When someone pays Lara a nice compliment.

When I go into Lara’s room to check on her, usually after she sleeps for too long. She's at the top of the bed, maybe turned around, maybe on her tummy, clinging onto the corner of her blanket, still fast asleep.

I see them as my rewards of motherhood. These moments don't come often enough, but when they do, you forget your sore arms, achy back, lack of sleep and all is worth it.....