As Aaron gets more active, I feel very busy (and tired) all the time. So if I don't stay on top of this blog, that's why. It's pretty hard being a working mom. And the little time I get with him during the week is spent completely devoted to him. Yes, I've had a few minor breakdowns the past couple of weeks. Maybe it's because my new-ish job is still overwhelming. Or maybe I feel like I'm missing out on things with Aaron. Or that I can't can't keep up with everything, or keep track of everything. But I'm doing the best I can, and having SO much fun with my little man. And I have to keep reminding myself of that.
So what has Aaron been doing to keep me busy these past couple months? Well.....let's recap!
-We've played in the snow a few times, or as Aaron says, "nooooooo."
This guy who lives down the street creates these awesome snow carvings with each snowfall. I wish I would have taken them throughout the winter. Here is one from the last snow we got.
-I've figured out ways to include Aaron in chores. He helps me with dishes, laundry and wiping down the outside of appliances and walls (he chooses to do that last one on his own). His future wife will thank me.
-Speaking of cleaning. Aaron also likes throwing things away for me now. Garbage, diapers, wedding rings. Yes, you read me correctly. Little man decided to throw my wedding band away a couple of weeks ago. Try reasoning with a 1 year old. "Aaron, where is mommy's ring?","Pleeeeeease show me where my ring is." (Aaron brings mommy a ball.) After a morning of searching throughout the couch and living room, a whole day at work thinking of every possible place it could be, double checking that we DO have insurance on it, and searching through a dirty diaper (gag city), I found that bad boy in the bottom of our garbage. Did I mention that morning was garbage day? Thank God Bryan had already taken the garbage to the curb prior to the disposal.
-He's starting to climb on chairs...and pretty much everything.
-He likes to make messes. Sometimes I clean them up. Sometimes I don't. See those blocks....he LOVES them. I regret them. It takes FOREVER to pick all those pieces up and put them into the smallest plastic bag container known to man.
-We're trying to learn manners. We are learning that you do not point at mommy and daddy and "scold" us. We are learning to say "please" and "thank you." We are learning that you don't always have to yell "BELLAAAAAA, shhhh!" when addressing the cat. That might be mommy's fault -whoopsies. In my defense, Bella wakes up the whole house at the worst possible times by
meowing howling in every room instead of just looking to see where we are. But a positive is that he has learned how to say Lily and Bella. It sounds so cute!
-I obsess over his hair every day. I mean how can you not be obsessed with this hair? Can you believe I almost had myself talked into cutting it?!
-He doesn't want me to cary him all the time. He wants to get down and "alk". While this is a relief to my biceps, I'm still a little sad.
-I've been getting in as much cuddle time as I can. He's super snuggly at night right before bed.
As I sat at the kitchen table tonight with my baby in my lap, a glass of wine in my hand (don't judge me) looking out into a very familiar scene of destruction, I did not feel anxiety about my long list of to-do's. Instead, I took a deep breath, kissed my baby's head and smiled. Not everything can be perfect and in order all the time. I will probably be tired for the rest of my life. I may never clean out my DVR again. I don't balance my checkbook every day anymore. I repeat, I DON'T balance my checkbook. For those who really know me, you know how hard that was to give up.
Things may be chaotic at times, but I wouldn't change that for anything. This is my calm.
(And, YES, my kid wears clothes. I don't think to take pictures all the time - I guess because I'm living it. And when I do think to take a picture, it's because he's actually calm and relaxed. And that's usually right after bath. Just wanted to clear that up. I have to sign off now...Bella's starting to howl right outside Aaron's room. BELLLLA!)
