I hope that I...

For me, I have always thought about how I would "mother". The things I would hope to do, the things I would never do, and the ways in which I hope to approach my children. This is true now more than ever. Nearly everyday, I get a little tidbit that makes me think, now THIS I MUST remember for Zayd's sake. Anyone that knows me knows that remembering has never been a strength of mine.

Here's a list of things I am consistently making vows to myself that (at the very least) I will attempt to do:

• Make homemade baby food. I believe so much in good nutrition and I think my actions now will make Zayd's life distinctly harder or easier as he tries to nourish himself as an adult in this (poisonous?- maybe too harsh) world of food choices. Especially if he has any of the same food inclinations as his darling father.
• On Diane Sawyer's Master Class I heard her talk about a Nobel Prize Physicist who's father asked him everyday after school, "Did you ask any good questions today?". (Instead of, "What did you learn today?") I think this is such a fantastic way to approach learning and a child's curiosity.
• I think it is so easy to forget that a baby or child is in a room. It's almost natural to have adult conversations about a little one, pretending that they don't hear us because they don't necessarily understand us. I speak to Zayd everyday now - about what we are eating ("Raisin Bran is on the way, kiddo! I know! I am excited too!"), about where we are going ("So, little one, we are off to African Dance. There is going to be a lot of noise but its from the drummers and we call it music. I am not sure that it sounds like music in there, but I will bring you to hear them after you grow up a little and I bet you will love it."), and I respond to his kicks ("My oh my, you are getting strong. Are you trying to find a comfy spot?"). I think that I have set myself up to continue this trend of asking questions that I know he can't verbally answer. I hope that it will make Zayd know that he is loved. In the beginning, I hope it just teaches him to know that I am there and that I am interested in his well-being.
• I hope I remember to lotion him. I think having dry skin is so uncomfortable.
• I hope I am flexible throughout the day but with a consistently reliable pre-sleep ritual. I think it will involve massage (lotion!), reading, some calming music, snuggle time, and, when he gets older, I want to remind him about his self soothing techniques just before I leave the room.
• I am a busy busy person. I thrive on a packed, energetic life. I pray that I have the presence of mind to recognize the life in which Zayd best thrives. If he is completely different from me, that might be a challenge. I just want to be able to acknowledge his best schedule without seeing it in competition with mine.
• I want to teach him to create things with his hands.
• I hope to figure out a Christmas routine that keeps him excited, grateful, and not overwhelmed.
• When he is a little older, I want us to skype with some distant family member. Maybe it would be a set once a week thing. I am not completely sure. But something where he gets to talk to his loved ones (even when they live far away) and show them his adorable little face.
• As you all know, I hope I can stay committed to cloth diapering. (It is quite simple to be committed before his arrival...)
• I want to speak and even sing to him in foreign languages. I will probably stick to those I speak, a little Russian at lunch, some Arabic music at night and Urdu sprinkled throughout the day. I am certain he can pick up Spanish in this town. :)

What am I missing? I know the list is actually much longer than this.