Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
They say all a mom wants on mother’s day is a clean house. Although I don’t know who “they” are, I tend to agree. Parenting is a condition that seems to naturally contradict a household staying in order. All day, you have to work and/or take care of the children. The kids themselves make a ton of mess. Moms are guilty too. When you’re throwing off a bib, looking for a binky, hastily fixing a bottle, things get thrown out of order seemingly instantaneously. There’s not much time to straighten up as you go, particularly when you have bad nappers, as I do. Dusting, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming after the kids go to bed for the night? Give me a break! If you’re anything like me, your evening involves sitting on the sofa, staring at the television and indulging in a choice of beverage—my choice being Coca Cola on the rocks.

My house is rarely clean and even more rarely tidy. It’s been a difficult thing to let go of. My single-girl abodes were always spotless and organized. Adding one more child made things a hundred times more complicated. But I’m realizing lately that for better or for worse, things won’t always be this way. I’m well passed the half-year mark with Hudson, which I can’t even believe. Soon Haley will be full-time school and in another year, Hudson may start preschool. I look forward to the extra time I’ll have—even if it’s not a lot—to take care of the house, cook and work on professional projects. At the same time, I’ll be grieving my kids’ babyhood!

I didn’t get a chance to clean up much this weekend, but I was the proud recipient of preschool art, adorable cards, breakfast in bed, and lots of cuddles and kisses. And that’s all that this mother really wanted.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
I saw the funniest cartoon on Facebook the other day. You may have seen it, too. It featured two professional women sitting across from each other at a desk at “Motherhood, Inc. Human Resources.” One incredulously says to the other, “One vacation day a year? That’s all I get?” The other responds “We call it Mother’s Day. But technically you still have to work.” I love the joke! To me, it sums up the holiday very well. And it sums up the career of motherhood even better.

When you’re a mom, there are no days off. Sure, it’s what you signed up for. But I don’t think anyone can be prepared for the loss of autonomy you feel as a mother. Time to yourself—what’s that? Even if you did sneak a moment, you’d probably use it to sleep. Mother’s Day is nice because it’s good to hear other people acknowledge how hard you work. I don’t know what the deal is for other moms, but I know I don’t get a day “off”!

We spent our Mother’s Day the same way we always do. We went to my grandmother’s house and met up with our extended family. It’s so nice to have Haley be a part of these get-togethers. It had been so long since we had a little one around; children seem to remind us why we keep these traditions alive and take the time to see each other.

I hope all of the moms out there had a great holiday. Even though we have 364 more days to go until our “special day,” we know how special it is to be a mom every day. Maybe it takes the greeting card industry’s marketing for some people to stop and think about all we do and all the sacrifices we make. But all of us who work for “Motherhood, Inc.” realize it, and we support each other and understand each other. It helps make this difficult and unrelenting (though wonderful) job that much more bearable.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Almost six years ago, I became a mother.  The nurse placed a swaddled little boy in my arms and I instantaneously fell in love. My initial thought when I saw Jack for the first time was “he is perfect.”  I had a rush of emotions and was so thankful my child was healthy.  He had a lot of soft blonde hair, beautiful lips and a perfect complexion.  By far one of my happiest days.

Three years later, I became a mother for the second time.  Again, the nurse placed a wrapped little boy in my arms and I was overjoyed with delight.  His tiny toes and big blue eyes were so captivating.  I was so grateful for another healthy child.  Tate was the perfect addition to our family.

The next several years were full of adventure.  The boys discovered and learned many new things (and still are.)  We traveled and explored new places and made wonderful friends.  Experiencing things like school, sports and reading are all wonderful accomplishments for my kids.  Jack and Tate are growing up so quickly it makes me a little sad.  I miss the newborn phase and watching the boys walk for the first time.  I miss their chubby thighs and the independent attempts at getting just one Cheerio into their mouth.  But most importantly, I can’t wait for all the new experiences life will bring.

Although the last six years have been exhausting and stressful at times, I can’t imagine my life without these two cool kids.  I’m also appreciative of my husband who makes it possible for us to live the way we do, his hard work and helping hands.  Jack and Tate are my world, my pride and joy and I’m so happy to be their mother.

Happy Mother’s Day!

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
My appearance has not been at its best lately. I miss the cute outfits I once wore to work. I now wear roughly the same thing every day. The uniform: an oversized tee-shirt I probably bought for eight dollars from a tacky gift shop on vacation, old sweatpants, and crocs and/or fuzzy socks, the kind you only wear in your house in the winter. My hair is in a messy bun. I managed to smooth some moisturizer onto my dry skin this morning, but nothing resembling cosmetics has touched my face since I wore lip gloss and mascara to a wedding two weeks ago.

I was lucky to lose my pregnancy weight very quickly and without effort, but my body certainly isn’t the same place ever since I carried a human being in it. I haven’t been exercising—shame on me. I know that it’s difficult to fit exercise into one’s daily routine, but that’s not an excuse. I don’t think “Americans are fat because they are lazy and inactive”. I think many people are overweight because they are stressed and working hard. The truth is, if you truly want to be healthy and take care of yourself, you will. I have a friend whose mother wakes up at 3 AM to exercise every day. Her long commute and busy schedule leave her no other time. So she does what she has to do. If I really wanted to make exercise a priority, I would. For now I’d rather get as much sleep as possible.

It’s important to be healthy, but beauty is only skin-deep. I could probably put in some effort to looking nicer each day, but I’m always at home. Haley can’t tell the difference. The only thing she likes about when I’m dressed up, as far as I can tell, is any shiny necklace I have on. So instead of dressing fancy, I suppose I can wear sparkly jewelry with my sweat pants. If that works for Haley, it works for me too.