You're Gonna Miss This

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 Today while I was trying to talk with my cousin over lunch, my two year old decided to climb the booth like a ladder. He really enjoys poking his fingers through the slats to see if the person behind us is interested in sharing his salsa covered chips. Luckily no one had a tantrum and thankfully the restaurant was loud. This got me thinking about my life as a mother… of two.

The life of a mother of two is interesting. The memory that sticks out the most to me was our first venture out of the house. It went fairly well... wait for it. We went for our two week and two year checkups. I had thought about how I was going to tackle this. My sweet husband was meeting us at the clinic. On the way there my he called and said he couldn’t make it, two machines at work had broken down. I was worried but decided I can handle this! I latched the baby in the stroller and let the toddler walk. Mistake. Number. One. (Advice to all parents expecting their second child, ALWAYS RESTRAIN THE TODDLER!)

We did well throughout the checkup. My son was busy with snacks and peeling stickers off the chart over the scale. I, now teaching my childbirth classes, decided I’d like to bring some cards and fliers to the nurse manager. Since both kids were doing well I thought, “Perfect timing, I am here anyway.” Mistake. Number. Two.

I wheeled the baby and had to drag the toddler into this nice man’s office. I had to go back and chase the toddler down the hall and bring him back into the room. I asked if I could close the door behind me, corralling my monkey into his office. The baby started screaming, she didn’t stop. My son decided to pull at everything on the desk, touch outlets, pull his shoes off and throw them. (Bribing him with suckers was not working this time.) I was trying to sell myself and birth boot camp to the nurse manager all while trying to tame my two zoo animals. Good thing he was a father of four, I prayed he understood.

I tried to get through the meeting, whilst shooshing the baby and chasing the toddler around this small office. On the way out I myself lost a shoe, just to add icing on this terribly burnt cake. When we got to the first floor my son would not leave. He was determined to drink all of the water that the water fountain had to offer. It took about five minute of coaxing before I picked him up and carried him head first out of the clinic, while pushing the now sleeping baby in the stroller…

I continue to leave the house with my two sweet love bugs. Why? Because I tell myself I can do it. If a tantrum ensues, or salsa covered chips fly, it's not the end of the world right? Life as a mother is beautiful, exhausting, hilarious and often messy. If I see you mama, struggling with your zoo animals, I will give you a reassuring smile and a helping hand. I know where you’re at and I’ve been there. This stage of life is beautiful, messy, and fun. I'm so going to miss this.
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Cheers - May your coffee be stronger than your toddler!

"I'm Digging Being Two"

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