While I’m usually about food and nutrition here on M2MN, I think it’s important to share little “sprinkles” of motherhood as well. Because many of you wonder how I get a blog post or recipe up, there are days when it doesn’t get done and the computer stays closed. But then there are the days I have a case of word vomit and can crank out one of these motherhood posts in less than 10 minutes flat. Unshowered. Newborn sleeping on my chest. And with a cold cup of coffee! Enjoy! But promise not to judge my lack of hygiene…
We plan, and God laughs. Seriously. I can hear my Mom echoing those words time and time again as I’ve started on this journey called motherhood. I remember looking to my parents for advice growing up and wanting to know my final plan in life [who does that at 22?!] and my Mom calmly telling me, “we plan, and God laughs.” Funny thing is the same rings true for me at 30 years of age. What’s my plan in life? What am I “supposed” to be doing. All signs point to being a wife and Mom [clearly], but some days I wonder what else is on my list I should be checking off or accomplishing. The only thing I can tell you is that when I plan to do or be more than Mom to Joey, Anthony, and Lily, and wife to Ted, God clearly has the best sense of humor and gives a good chuckle! Here’s why:
I had a sitter last Friday for 3 hours. THREE hours folks! Um that’s like the same as reliving spring break 2004 with my girlfriends and lots of cocktails— minus the girlfriends and cocktails. What did I want to do during those 3 hours?! I wanted to order new bath mats and hand towels [#adulting]. I wanted to take a shower and blow dry my hair. I wanted to finish a blog post I’m working on about choosing a healthy breakfast cereal. Want to know what was accomplished? Wait for it….
Yeah, none of that. Instead I nursed Lily every hour [I wasn’t leaving her with the sitter but was hoping she was going to take a good nap during that 3-hour stretch]. I drank 1.5 cups of cold coffee. I finished a load of laundry— and even folded it! Oh and I made some hardboiled eggs. Nothing on the to-do list was completed. BUT, I had a few moments of productivity… and some extra snuggles with Miss Lily.
My biggest takeaway from the 3-hour comedy produced and directed by God and my sweet girl is that NONE of those things I wanted to get done needed to get done. I have and likely always will put unnecessary timelines on myself and tend to be a little type A when they aren’t completed. But the good news is the opportunity will be there to order those bath mats tonight or tomorrow or heck, this weekend when Dad is home and he can press “place order.” What I can’t get back is those little moments when my newborn baby needs me for cuddles, nourishment, or heck, my smell [?! Which is not so great right now because I still need that shower]. But she’s not judging. No one is… especially when it comes to the state of my bath mats and hand towels!
Can you relate? Do you ever have those moments scheduled out for “me time” and then you feel like you haven’t accomplished anything you wanted to?
Beautiful photo of you and Lily! I remember when I was pregnant with my first son and I was telling my OB about my “birth plan”. He laughed. I didn’t really pay attention to the information in the prenatal classes about c-sections and scalp monitors because that wasn’t in my plan. Guess what? My son needed a scalp monitor and I needed a c-section because the cord was strangling him. Just goes to show you can plan all you want…and then life happens! So happy for you and your newest addition!
Thank you for sharing Sally! Life certainly does happen… And continues as they get older I’m sure! Xo.
Love this post Katie! My mom used to say the same saying to me as I was growing up. I have plenty of those days and have to remind myself that the chores will get done eventually, but there are 5 little people that need me more at the moment. Your pictures are adorable! I can’t wait to meet Lily!
She can’t wait to meet you either! You are my example of the real supermom! Xo.
Hey, I’m 64 and a new grandmother of a 7 month old. I babysit for him while my 40 year old daughter continues her hairstyling career and my son-in-law works at a cable company. Today is a “me” day and I look at the house realizing my husband and I are ignoring the still undone projects and cleaning. Oh, well! I’m finishing a blanket I promised my daughter before Gunnar was born in January. They are going on their first long distance airplane trip on Wednesday and need it because it has ties to make it compact or attach to a backpack. Yesterday I had a few minutes to add more thread to the bobbin and rethread the machine while Gunnar played under his playmat, but continuing was ended with his wanting to be held as he is teething. I would rather do that than any of the other things calling my name. Tears come to my eyes over the treasure in my arms. He’s an IVF baby and may be my only grand. God has been good to me and holding Gunnar wins out every time!
God bless you! You have your priorities right! Live with no regrets as some of us who hurried through our babies to get them into school did.
From one blogger to another
Thank you for your kind words and sentiments Sharon!!! Hugs to you and Gunner!
Beautiful post!!! I know I am the same type a way so this is feel like was meant for me! Thank you and your mom for that fabulous quote, I’ll be using that soon I’m sure!!
<3 to you girlfriend!!
Thank you for this post because it resonates with me! One of the biggest lessons of motherhood is that there will always be things we have/want to do, but some (most) days we have to change our plan. It’s all about flexibility! At the end of the day, hopefully you can have a laugh with God. ?
Amen sister!!! Thanks so reading and commenting!