When there was just Addisyn I was totally that mom that you see in the grocery store with Fort Knox patience. Addisyn would be singing loudly, crying because she wants a snack, or asking me the same question over and over again and my replies would be just as calm mannered as the last; yes baby, of course baby, I love you sweetie, even if you do ask me the same question a million times. I wasn’t even putting on a front, I was really that patient. At least that is how I remember it . Sometimes I would even catch myself watching other moms who were super snappy with their kids and think, sheesh! He was just punching his brother in the nose. What’s all the fuss! Or even worse, on the days that Addisyn was a saint at the grocery store, looking up at me with those big blue eyes and just wanting to hold my hand as I pushed the cart, I would look at the brothers who were punching each other and think to myself, Get it together lady! Look at my angel sitting here with the halo over her head and the choir of heavenly voices singing down on us. Horrible, I know.
Fast forward one four month old, three year old, and a huge reality check later and I am soooo that mom where other mothers think one of two things 1.) Poor girl, she has her hands full. OR 2.) Seriously, she didn’t need to snap at her daughter like that and she could have at least changed her shirt covered in spit up. On the mornings I need to be in town it takes me a good hour just to get the kids ready at which point I look in the mirror and challenge my outfit choice; sweats and Steve’s hoodie?…hmmm. What’s the possibility I am going to run into someone who I know? Eh, I can just aisle dodge if I see someone. And then walk out the door I go. Looking HOT, people! Hanes sweat pants are the new Dior. Didn’t you get the memo?
Yesterday I found myself in Target standing in line behind a perfectly “all-together” momma. She was dressed from head to toe in a well coordinated and perfectly accessorized spring outfit and her daughter could have jumped right out of the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue. I had just finished a CrossFit workout so there I was; sweatpants, hoodie, sweaty and wearing a fabulous body odor scent. Not to mention, the day before I had spilled Fire Roasted vegetable soup in my purse and so that odor was coming through as well. Addisyn had pizza sauce smeared across her face because let’s face it, I wasn’t going to do a workout, go to the store AND fix her a nice healthy lunch. It was Target snack bar pizza on the go and that would have to do. I was *this* close to falling into the pity party slump when Addisyn saw the Organic Yo Kids yogurt tubes in the cart, started clapping her hands, smiling, and belted out the loudest “I love you mommy!”. It was the best.
So this whole situation got me thinking. What is an “all together” mommy? Does it even exist? I am pretty sure that there is daily sacrifice in all of our mommy lives. Whether you sacrifice your gym time, your own taste in fun girly clothing, or you stay up until midnight catching up on folding laundry – none of us have it all together. We should probably stop comparing ourselves to others that appear to have it all together because I can promise you that they don’t. Parenting is a learning process and I think if future Stacy looked back at present day Stacy she would probably think I am doing just fine. I am trying really hard to raise my babies to be good and loving people, by showing them love and discipline on a daily basis. I think if I am doing that, maybe some days with a little less patience than others or not with my outfit of choice, then quite possibly I am great momma :-)
With Love,
Stacy
Slacking on the pics this week. This is my life now, drool and teething :-)
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