11 things I really want to remember about being a mother to a toddler:

~ The bittersweet feeling of being woken up way too early on a Sunday morning by a tiny voice whispering, Mum, are you awake? and how the whispering quickly turns to yelling if I ignore her question and keep on sleeping.

~ How greasy hands can be so loving and caring and non-disgusting when they quietly slip into yours and drag you off into a little world of unicorns, snuggly blankets and teddy bears.

~ How the word mummy, mama, mor and mimmi can be repeated indefinitely throughout the day.

~ The warm feeling of tiny kisses on your cheeks.

~ How feelings or states of mind are felt and expressed at one hundred percent, like being hungry, sleepy, really mad or very happy. Have you ever met a toddler who was just a little bit hungry or a tiny bit mad?

~ How strong-willed a toddler can be when it comes to staying awake, watching Netflix on the iPad or not eating her dinner.

~ The enthusiasm and excitement small things like making a painting, eating a bun or listening to a favorite song can bring. I wish I could appreciate these things the same way as her.

~ The amount of sandcastles you can build and tear down in less than an hour.

~ The amount of stress a toddler can cause when she decides to do the opposite of what you have asked… and how you can only convince her to do what you have asked by outsmarting them (How long will that last?)

~ How you keep on getting the best answers to your requests like:

–  Go to sleep.

–  No thank you.

or

–  Give back the bucket you just took from your sister.

–  No, sharing is caring.

~ The unconditional love and the fact that someone thinks that you are the best thing in the whole world.