Children are SO selfish

Comedienne Kathy Griffith (notice, folks, the proper use of a feminine noun--androgyny went out with Ziggy Stardust, it's actress, waitress, even aurthoress- like adverbs, learn 'em, love 'em, use 'em) says this about the reason why she doesn't like children, "what six month old do you know asks you about your day. They're so selfish."
Well ain't that the truth!
Yesterday was my birthday and the baby decided that 3:30 am would be a great time to serenade me with his version of happy birthday---for the better part of an hour. The second rendition came at 5:30am. I prefer my well wishes to not come in at o dark hundred! Darn selfish kids!
I thought this might be an ominous sign of the day to come but it turned out to be one of the best birthdays I've had in a while. The last few years have been blighted by national catastrophe, work, and bickering with a certain dh who will remain nameless ;-D
With the exception of my 22nd birthday, which was spent with now hubby in Hawaii, the last seven to ten or so could have just been slept through.
I spent the morning with some mommy friends who helped me celebrate with cake, that had the rockingest--yes, I made up that word; my blog, my rules of grammar!-icing--green and purple and wearing my son out with four little girl playmates.
Hubby got off work early, coming home with a half dozen long stem red roses, and I didn't feel pressured to do any homework or housework during nap time. He and I even got to go out to dinner---just the two of us! I ate like I'd been starved for days. We had great Japanese. No hibachi, but terrific sushi and I polished off an Bento box by myself--teriyaki chicken, rice, salad, veggie tempura, pork dumplings and some Sake.
Essentially, all the progress I made the first week of this month in my weight loss has stagnated thanks to my eating binge of the last two weeks. But it does taste so good. As my granny always says, "some people eat to live, the rest of us live to eat!"
All in all it was a great day with plenty of well wishes and no fighting--with a two year old or a twenty six year old (for three days each year I'm robbing the cradle).
My children even decided to cooperate and while they each fussed a bit after being put in bed, neither caused significant enough issues to worry about. So maybe they're not so selfish after all...
Actually, quite the opposite. Tonight proved that I have two exceptionally loving boys. The toddler and I read a Beatrix Potter book and then laid together on his bed to sing some nursery rhymes. As usual, just before leaving, I put my head on his chest to receive my special death grip hug. As I lay there, he stroked (sometimes tugged) my hair. It was quite the role reversal since I usually do that to him. It was so nice and soothing. I just lay there giving him little kisses on his cheek as he stroked my hair and then patted my head. It just made my heart feel so big. It was a glimpse into what it will be like once he's bigger than me. It was a glimpse into when he'll be able to protect me, even though I'll always protect him. It was a glimpse into what it will be like to be old and have my children look after me. I wish that moment could have lasted forever.
Maybe one day, if Kathy Griffith has kids, she'll realize they may be the neediest creatures alive but they are the most appreciate as well.

On a side note, as I've always said: raising kids is like raising dogs. The toddler walked around in circles today and then hid on the stairs for a few minutes. Then he ran into the kitchen. When he came out, his head was down and he pointed babbling back at the kitchen. He'd taken the biggest POOP on my floor. The joys of house breaking---I mean potty training.
It's like when you take the puppy out for a long walk and then as soon as you get home, they have an accident. My son sat on his potty, acted like he was going to do the right thing, and then has an accident.
Walking in circles and then the guilty head hang--could be a dog, but instead it's a two year old.
Thank heavens for my new Hoover Floormate (a la my parents!), it took care of the issue. But really, who does that?!