Friday, May 31, 2013

Being The Caboose

I was the firstborn child and you'd better believe that, in large part, helped shape my personality.  Over the course of a few years, I watched my parents become softer, more passive versions of their former selves.  Now that I'm a parent with a few years under my belt and practically starting over with baby girl, I know the skinny!  They were tired!  Not just sleepy, but exhausted-flat out weary!

As I watch our family evolve into its "new normal"  as a family of five.  I can't help but wonder what baby's take on all of it will be.  I can only imagine it sounds a little something like this…


Dear Mom,
There are a few things I need to get off my chest.  First let me just thank you for splurging on a plush, fancy car seat in my favorite color:  pink; but, can you take me out of it every once in awhile?  I sit, eat, and even sleep in the thing so much  I don't know if I'll ever be able to grow hair on the crown of my head.  While we're on the subject of eating.  It's much more fun when I can sit in my big chair and use my spoon and fork, rather than eat lunch while you drive with one hand and pass me bites with the other.  Oh, and that time I had to eat in the vet's office while we waited for the dog's check-up---gross!

It looks like I joined a very busy family.  We're always on the go and we sure do a lot of waiting.  Would you mind taking me somewhere that I'd enjoy.  I hear Chuck E Cheese's is fun.  If that's to much could you pack a few extra toys for me to play with while we wait?  There are only so many things to do in your purse.  By the way, your bubble gum and chapstick taste delicious!

I know it may seem like I always want to be held.  Who am I kidding?  I do always want to be held!  Besides feeling pretty good, the view in your arms is much nicer than the crotch shots that I get when I'm on my own.  Please spare me from the crotch shots!

One more thing:  my vocabulary is not as extensive as my brothers'.  I know what I'm trying to say, but I just can't get the words together.  Be patient with me, so I don't have to go all "cray cray" to get my point across.

I think you're doing a great job, Mommy.  Consider these as areas for improvement.

Love,
Baby Girl

P.S.  I think Coco is the funniest, silliest, most loveable real life lovey there is!  I just can't get enough of her!  Can you tell her to stop running away?  I just want to play with her.


Thursday, May 30, 2013

What's Going On?

This has been the busiest, most un-fun school year ever!  The homework and school projects have gotten completely out of control.  So much so, I've joked about completing third and fifth grades twice.
We're on the last leg of the race and I'll be victorious if I don't smack someone with the baton!

Baby girl is still NOT sleeping and I've considered just giving her OTC meds.  My house is impossible to keep clean.  I sometimes fill laundry baskets with random crap and stash it just so I don't have to look at it.   A few weeks ago we finished the flag football season on a bang.  By bang, I mean four grueling hours on the open field in the blazing sun, competing in playoff games.  Needless to say I was glad neither team made it to the championship.

I celebrated Mother's Day in Lowe's and Calloway's.  My gift:  checking things off the 'honey do list'.  My love language:  Acts of Service.  The following week, I chaperoned a museum field trip and was reminded of one of the reasons I decided not to return to the classroom.  Most recently, we hosted our first family party since we've moved.  Twenty-two people replied.  Forty showed up.  It was a fun time, but if my narcoleptic-like naps are any indication, I think I just recovered this afternoon when I shot off the couch at dismissal time, in a confused state, wiping drool from my chin.

Still there's more:  four end of the year pool parties, a field trip, and graduation ceremony.  I hate to sound like those moms who brag about their busy-ness like it's a new golden notch on their championship belt.  I really don't think we're over committed.  I think it's just a way of life in a family of five.

Will I ever get used to it?  I don't know.  Will I ever miss it?  Maybe one day when the house is still and quiet.  For now, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other in hopes that I get it right and apologizing when I screw it all up.

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