It is funny how we develop our identiy. When meeting new people the question is often asked "And what do you do??" from most of the women I know, the reply is "I'm just a mom." That three letter word, mom is usually what is listed in the occupation box on any credit application. When talking to teachers and the kids friends I turn into "Jessie and Aubrey's mom". My whole identity is wrapped up in those four little people I tucked into bed an hour ago.
They bring me joy, at the same time they are leading me to the very edge of sanity. I'm not sure how it is even possible for me to crave the hugs and kisses of a two year old while at the same time contemplating shipping her off to baby boot camp.
This week we have felt all the extremes.
Monday morning things were looking pretty good. We went to gymnastics in the morning, and the little girls went to daycare while I worked in the afternoon. It wasn't until daycare pick-up time that things headed South. As I walked up to the door, I saw the familiar plastic grocery bag hanging from the front porch rail. It only took a glance to know I was the lucky winner of the poopy pink panty prize. Apparently, Hallie decided that it was glamorous to keep your leotard on all day underneath your pants and pull-over hoodie. The problem with this plan came when nature called.
That night, Maycee was up coughing. I snuggled and comforted and provided Vicks Vapor Rub until 3 a.m. I finally seized my opportunity and was settling into my "big girl bed" when I heard the pitter pat of little feet coming down the hallway followed by the announcement "I Pukedted!" Hallie had thrown up all through Jessie's bed. A bath for Hallie and a new bed for Jessie on the couch, and we took another try at sleep.......
Tuesday morning. All the children are up and ready for daily aerobics. I looked and felt like I had been hit by a truck. I planned my entire day around the promise of naptime. Maycee was not interested in naptime. At first she screamed, then she improved her strategy. She decided that maybe if she annumciated clearly and talked slowly with a lot of volume maybe I would listen.
"LET ME OUT NOW!"
"I DON'T WANT TO NAP!"
"I'M NOT TIRED!"
"OPEN THIS DOOR!"
"I"M DONE NAPPING!"
"NOT FAIR!!!"
It would have been funny if I had just a bit more sleep..................and, if I hadn't just realized that the washing machine bit the dust midway through the first load of pukey laundry. Needless to say, there was no nap. There was, however, an ealy bedtime, made possible by the administration of Melatonin.
Today, things are finally looking up. There is a new Maytag in the laundry room working its way through 7 loads of dirty and stinky laundry. Everyone is tucked into their beds and I am enjoying the quiet of the evening.
When I call Drue to let him know what is going on, he is always reminding me "You begged for each one of those kids." He is right. I love them all --and I did beg.
What kind of fun would life be without the chaos and kisses?
do i even remember how this works?!
9 years ago
