Two, Three, One

Months ago, I started counting. I'd count raisins. I'd count socks. I'd count cars on the road and ducks in the sky. I'd count. And count. And count.

It just seemed like the right thing to do. And guess what? Joshua has started counting.

He doesn't quite have the words down yet, or really the sequencing. But he's counting! This morning, in his adorable little voice, he'd ask, "Mama? Ta-tas? [aunties] Thfree?" (He does have three aunties here in Colorado.) Then he'd hold up his little fingers, tilt his head to the side, squinch up his face and ask, "Twoo? Thfree? Won? Ta-tas?" (Only two aunties were here--one was at school.)

That's, like, kinda some addition! And subtraction! Heck, the kid will be multiplying fractions in no time!!

Then later today, he counted fish in the tub. And blueberries in his bowl. And rocks in the Mancala game.

He's counting! 

It's worth it! Since Joshua is my first child, I just didn't know. I didn't know that it was worth it to start counting when he was so young, even though I felt crazy. I didn't know that it was actually working--I just assumed it was what a mommy is supposed to do.

So what did I learn from this little lesson? Couple of things:

1. My gut instincts are good. And often right. {What?! Who woulda thought.}

2. My son is smart. And adorable. {Pretty sure I already knew that, but the reminder is always refreshing.}

3. I'm created to be a mommy. This is what I'm designed to do. It's exhausting and exhilarating. It's rewarding and sometimes revolting. It's humbling and honoring.

My son is learning. He is listening and he is learning. Everything I do he sees, hears, mimics ... what an honor and a responsibility. Good to know, good to remember: I am so blessed by my son.