I really like making lists-to do lists, shopping lists, packing lists,
goal lists, lists of lists to make…you get the picture. There is just something
so freeing about crossing things off a physical list and completing an entire
list. I used to be pretty good at making lists, setting timeframes in which to
accomplish them, and getting them done.
March 18, 2012 was a typical Sunday. I had accomplished a lot over the
weekend and was gearing up for the week ahead by making an ambitious but not
totally unobtainable to-do list for Monday. It included the usual things like
laundry and cleaning out my car and such. Yes, I was totally aware that I was
due to have a baby the next day, but after hearing all the horror stories of
first born babies being notorious for being insanely overdue, I was certain
that I had at least twenty-something more days until we would meet our daughter...
or a couple more days at the very least.
I was wrong and the next morning we set out for the hospital to meet our
little girl. Olivia was born that afternoon and I could not have been more in
love with her. She was tiny, precious, and perfect. She was, and is, absolutely
beautiful.
I had NO idea how much being a mommy would change my life. I loved
watching my little girl grow and learn about the world around her. As much as I
loved being a new mommy, it was also a huge adjustment for me to learn that it
was okay not to accomplish everything that I wanted to get done in a day. I had
to accept that although I may have lists coming out my ears and nothing getting
crossed off those lists, that was okay.
A couple months before Olivia turned 2, we found out that we were
expecting another little one. At first, I wasn't sure how I could love another
little one as much as I loved O but I’m convinced that a mama’s heart grows
with each child that they have. Joey was
born last September and is now our rolley-polley little man. He’s got his daddy’s
blue eyes and the sweetest smile.
With having two little ones, I have even less time on my hands to
accomplish the things on my various lists. When I have a break from taking care
of Joey for a couple of minutes, Olivia wants mommy time too. I can’t blame
her. She’s done great transitioning from being an only child to having to share
her mommy with baby brother and I love spending the one-on-one time with her.
I’ll have plenty of time to get back to those lists in a few years when
they are at school all day. Maybe I’ll finally finish that one that I wrote out
the day before Olivia came along. It’s still around here somewhere. As for
right now, I’m enjoying some new lists that have come with being a mommy:
Some of my newfound mom skills:
- Doing (almost) anything one handed while holding a baby
- Deciphering the different kinds and levels of cries
- Interpreting toddler talk or mouth-full-of-food talk
- Performing the role/voice of several different stuffed animals and toys on a daily basis
- Making up songs on the fly, usually about sleep and its benefits
- (almost) Always having extra diapers hiding somewhere in the car for the instances when I forget to check the diaper bag before we run out the door
My nicknames as given by Olivia:
- Mommy Milk
- Princess Mommy
- Rock Star Mommy
- Super Mommy
- Mommy the Great
I have to say, being a mommy is pretty great. I’m so blessed that I get
to stay home and spend so much time with my littles. Some days are hard, some
are messy (guess who covered themselves in blue paint today…my little smurf),
and some days are just a game of survival but those long days are often
interwoven with blips of sweet hugs, sibling giggles, and sincere smiles and I
wouldn't trade those for anything.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you other mama’s out there. I hope your days
are full of lots of little laughs and grins.
- Jess (or according to Olivia, “the best mommy in my whole wide
world”)
