Being a mother of two is tough – and sometimes challenging. Most of my days are spent on being a referee and deciding what words I can say that will make everything’s fair for everyone. Some of those days were easy and smooth-sailing while the others were .. difficult and I needed to calm my head down before even spoke to two of them.
I admit, being the eldest sibling has shaped my expectation towards my own eldest – Z. I expect him to be the one who guided his younger brother. I instill towards him every day, that he’s the older brother, that there are boundaries and lines that he should follow. That no matter what M does, Z must be there to guide him.
I know what a burden it is for him – but I keep pressing on although sometimes it can break my heart.
I had spent countless nights worrying if I spoke too harsh to Z or if there’s anything that I can do to make the situation better for him. To let him know that I still love him the same. To let him know that I love him even more whenever I see him trying to be a better brother for M.
***
Our sleeping arrangement hasn’t changed since M was born. Z sleeps with his Papa and I sleep with M – mainly because M is still nursing to sleep and weaning him has been unsuccessful. I don’t want to wean him by force or trick so there’s that.
Last night, Z was so tired so he was laying on my bed while waiting for his Papa to finish Isya. M was still busy with brushing his teeth so I figured I would snuggle with Z – something that we rarely do these days.
I put a blanket over him and told him, “Do you want to snuggle with Mama?”
Sleepily, he said yes. I reached out for his head and hugged him slowly.
Before drifting to sleep, he asked me in low voice, “Mama, why didn’t we do this sooner?”
And my tears fell down. My boy – my baby.
“Anytime you want a snuggle, you can always ask me, Abang. All the snuggles in the world for you.”
He nodded before finally closing his eyes.
I hoped he knows – not only snuggles that I would give for him. All my love – all my life.
You are the love of my life.
Everything I have and everything I am is yours.
Forever.
– Barney Stinson, HIMYM
