Thankful Series: The Things She Knows

Today I am thankful that J & D have always gone about their life with the Munchkin with the motto that honesty is the best policy. Beside the Munchkin’s bed she has a picture of me, pregnant with the Munchkin, and D together, taken just after the only ultrasound I had during that pregnancy. Even though it’s a horrid picture of me (seriously), D refuses to take it down because she wants the Munchkin to understand that she grew in my tummy. They’ve always been open and honest about who I am to the Munchkin and their family.

And it paid off yesterday. And shocked both D and I almost out of our socks.

We were getting ready to go to the mall to get the kids’ picture taken with Santa Claus (more on that later today). Munchkin was bebopping around the living room while D and I put on our shoes. Then the following was said:

Munchkin: Mommy!
D: Yes?
Munchkin: TWO MOMMIES!
Jenna & D: *silence* Yes.

Folks, she won’t even be three until next month. And she’s managed to understand a concept that we’ve never said in as many words. No one has sat down with her and said, “You have two mommies.” I, personally, would never say that because I don’t ever want to step on D’s toes regarding the special title of Mommy. However, just in the dialogue that has been had over the past three years, she got it.

Later, to further prove that she understands far more than we think, D was asking the Munchkin who her brothers are (she has five total).

Munchkin: JD!
D: Who’s another brother?
Munchkin: Nick!

Color me shocked.

So, honestly, D and I had a conversation on the way home from the mall. We personally don’t ever want to hear, “I’ll tell her when she’s old enough to understand.” Children are far more intelligent than we give them credit for and they understand far more than we think that they do as made evident by yesterday’s conversations.

Before people say, “OMG SHE IS GOING TO BE CONFUSED.” She’s not confused. When she asks me for a cookie and I say, “Go as your Mommy,” she runs to D. When she falls and hurts her knee and cries for Mommy, she’s looking for D. She knows who takes care of her on a daily basis. She knows who kisses her boo-boos. She knows who reads her bedtime stories. She knows who can tell her yes or no with actual authority. But she also knows me and the important spot I have in her life.

I am thankful that J & D were wise enough to understand an abstract concept and how to teach their daughter about adoption. I am thankful that they didn’t ever want the Munchkin to remember a day where she “found out” and rather wanted it to always be a part of who she was, who she is and who she will be. I am thankful that they have kept up the hideously ugly picture of me next to the Munchkin’s bed so that she can remember me and learn where she came from and into this world. I am thankful that our attempts at open dialogue have been successful and that we are fostering understanding far before many people think is “appropriate.” I’m also thankful that we don’t give a rat’s patoot what others think is appropriate.

I am thankful I have two wonderful, amazing children.

I am thankful!

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