2012 is winding down. I’ve done a lot of self-reflection about my first couple years as a mother. My son has taught me to laugh at myself even during the worst of times. He has taught me patience and unconditional love. He has provided me with the greatest experiences of my life, and continues to bring my husband and I closer together as time goes on. But there are those moments when you think, “Hell yes, if there was a Mother of the Year Award I just won it!” If you have a child, you’ve experienced them. Those moments when you shake your head and wonder who in their right mind let you leave the hospital that first night with zero supervision or direction…
and the Mother of the Year goes to…
Now What? * The first night I brought my son home, my husband had to run into work. Standing in the middle of the living room with my dog staring anxiously at me and a sleeping baby in my arms, I realized I had to use the bathroom. I had no idea what to do, so I called my neighbor in a panic. She nicely told me to put the baby in the middle of the bed and promised nothing would happen to him. “He’s not going to roll off or go anywhere!” Duh. There would be many more moments like these…
Dirty Clothes * One morning I took a look at my son’s onesie, all covered in crumbled waffle, smeared oatmeal and orange juice. Changing a onesie was not something I had time for. So I wiped his hands and face, put a t-shirt on over that dirty onesie and ran out of the house with him.
The Pacifier Pick-Up * You’ve done it. You pick up a dropped pacifier, stick it in your mouth (like that’s gonna sanitize it!) and give it back to your child so they stop crying/screaming.
Leftovers * There is nothing more self-depricating than eating whatever you child hasn’t. Whether it has been kinda smeared on his high chair tray or smushed in between his grubby little fingers. Some days it’s the only way to get a warm meal.
Hide-N-Seek * Just when I think I have all “personal” items well hidden, my son wanders into the bathroom as I’m furiously trying to get ready for work playing with a tampon. Time for cabinet locks.
Cry Baby * No one wants to see a baby upset. But I can admit there have been moments when my little one has been screaming or crying and I can’t help but think how cute it looks. So I’ll take a quick picture before calming him down. I know I won’t be hearing his innocent little cry forever, and I want to cherish even those tough moments.
Something Smells * I have been in the grocery store and well aware my son probably needs to be changed. But instead of prolonging the already difficult task of grocery shopping with a toddler, I hurry to finish and then rush home to change him. Sorry kiddo.
Please Don’t Call DCFS * Although we just moved, we spent the first 2 years in a townhouse sharing walls with neighbors. So those days when my son spent the majority of his time screaming, yelling, crying and carrying on all I could do was hope that no one called DCFS because it sounded as though I was poorly managing my child.
Late Night Date Nights * I can remember {pre-baby} seeing couples in restaurants with their young child/children and thinking “those babies should be in bed!” After having my son, it didn’t take long for that judgment to disappear. If my husband and I are able to go have a bite to eat at 10pm on a Saturday, with our child in tow, we do it. Rarely do we get time alone and I’ve realized it won’t ruin my son’s life to stay up extra late every once in a while.
Pajama Party * Quite frankly, there are days when I’m too tired or too lazy to get myself or the baby dressed. So I spend the day in sweats and he spends the day in a diaper. Moms need days off too!
Bathtime * Rub a dub dub, my son loves the tub and we try to give him a bath at least twice a week. But the days get away from us and there are times when I have to stop and think when the last bath occurred. As he’s gotten older I’ve gotten better at remembering. Most of the time.
Public Embarrassment * As an adult, when you trip in public you act like you wanted to break into that jog. When my child trips and falls in public, I can hear the gasps from miles away. It is as if people are saying “did you see that woman push her child to the ground?!” And if he then stands with some sort of injury? Forget it. I smile sheepishly, try to console him and wish I could disappear. Right. Like I wanted my child to get hurt!
Snack Time * There are days when my child won’t eat. He won’t eat a well-balanced meal if his life depended on it. So if all I can get him to eat are rice puffs, a granola bar or cereal then so be it. He’ll eat better tomorrow.
The most important thing I learned after having my son was how I wanted to ensure I was around for many years to come. This meant changing my lifestyle and working toward being as healthy as possible. So I started researching and writing this blog, and have enjoyed sharing my experiences and knowledge with my readers. I’m grateful for the positive response I have received over the past year and have great plans for the future.
Thank you for reading and supporting Sweatpants and Superfoods! Here’s to 2013!
