Good Morning!
It is 7:30 a.m. and I hear his little giggle. The sight of our dog causes him to let out a squeal of excitement and the day begins. I fix my coffee in preparation.
By 8:00 a.m. sharp he is fussing for fuel. Though scrambled eggs and toast are on the menu, he scowls and points to the cabinet where I have unsuccessfully hidden the M&Ms. Meltdown number one is underway as I sip my lukewarm coffee, right on schedule!
At 9:30 a.m. all is well. We have eaten and semi-dressed for the day. (By semi I mean I have refreshed my messy bun and brushed my teeth because…. well, motherhood). He has also brushed his teeth pridefully, a task he has perfected and is willing to showcase if the mood is right. Though the bathroom sink looks like a tsunami has just threatened its existence, his teeth are sparkling as he flashes a satisfied smile.
By 10:30 its time to consider lunch options. Though I avoid at all costs any glance towards the snack cabinet, he can smell my weakness as lunch draws near and he bangs wildly on the snack cabinet door like a savage beast. I toss him a FEW mini M&Ms along with some Cheerios in his snack dispenser to balance my own feeling of defeat for giving chocolate before lunch. It buys me 30 minutes to prepare a meal of greater value.
Lunch Time.
At 12:30 the eye rubbing is growing fierce and whimpers erupt at the mention of going indoors for a nap. Even the neighbors can tell what time it is from the growing moans of disapproval. Some warm milk usually does the trick to soothe the soul.
After reading a quick story, by 1:00 p.m. he is fast asleep and what a beautiful sight he is. I cannot help but stare at each eyelash as they lightly flutter against his skin. He is perfection in every way.
The next two hours (if I’m lucky) make up my ME time for the day. So many endless opportunities I contemplate. Shall I waste them away on social media? Nah, too millennial. Maybe I’ll work on a personal project, like shaving my legs for example?! Hah! No matter my selection, those minutes of nap time sure fly by. Oh, why must they always hurry off?
By 3:00 p.m. my little love is hollering for a snack. Those little lashes I so recently gazed upon with euphoria, now squinting at me from frustration at my snack choice. I guess string cheese and crackers are not what he had envisioned.
After a few hours of outside play in the summertime heat its time to make dinner. One minor meltdown and he allows it after some sliced strawberries are offered as bargaining chips.
By 6:00 p.m. daddy is home and oh happy day, mama gets a few minutes to do a happy dance without little arms clinging to her leg. Though if he’s missing for too long, my legs seem to quiver from withdrawals. Am I losing it?
At 7:00 p.m. the growing shrieks of excitement can be heard throughout the halls of our home as the tub begins to fill with water. His excitement builds as I remove each article of clothing. He eventually overflows with joy and bursts free to make one naked run through the house before settling in the tub. If a tsunami erupts while teeth brushing, one could imagine the meteor that lands during bath time.
Water. Everywhere.
By 8:30 p.m. everyone is fed, cleaned, and tucked in tight. My brain may be a pile of mush but I vividly recall how to melt into my bed without hesitation.
They say I’ll miss these moments when the little pitter-patter of tiny feet can be heard sprinting around the corner as I chase to change his diaper. I’d say, they are probably right. This life is a crazy one. My day with him may not always be so cookie-cutter. From chocolate before lunch to Oreos in my bed after bedtime, these toddler years aren’t for the faint of heart. But I admit, these days, these tired reheated lukewarm coffee, messy bun for the third time this week, stained sweatpants days, yes- THESE days are the ones I live for!
