I was warned over and over again that three kids was going to throw me for a loop. People had told me that their third was their hardest adjustment. So when Daisy arrived I was fully prepared to be rocked, but boy was I not ready to be rocked like THIS!
With every baby, I feel like a different lesson was being taught to me. With my first, slow down. My second, patience. And now my third and there's no doubt that Heavenly Father is trying to teach me to let things be. I'm constantly trying to do it all and it all must be perfect. I keep my house clean and keep detailed and organized to-do lists. It's just my nature to want everything to be up to a certain expectation when it comes to how my house is kept. I can't help it, I just want it all done right...at least in my eyes. But Daisy's arrival has slowly been teaching me that it's ok to just let things be messy, to-do lists unchecked, and showing up late is A OK.
The other day I FINALLY decided to take time to clean my house. I nursed Daisy first thing and in the back of my mind I thought 'hurry Daisy hurry...eat quicker, I've got things to do' and it dawned on me that I need to stop and savor these moments with her...and, why in the world am I that eager to clean. She will soon spread out her feedings and no longer want to be cuddled up close to me and be soothed by the sound of my heartbeat. She won't be able to fall asleep on my shoulder and my one on one time with her while she eats will be no more. I think there's a reason why we grow up so fast when we are little and I'm pretty sure it's because God is trying to tell us to pay more attention to all the little and precious moments of parenthood. If you're a parent I'm sure you've heard countless times how fast time flies. Before you know it you're kids will be off and married, and while we are still far from that I'm sitting here still in awe that I have a 6 year old. When did that happen? I swear it was just yesterday that I was swaddling her up for bed, or at least that's how it feels. We live in a fast pace world where we are consumed by our phones, Pokemon Go...kill me, and television. I'm guilty of saying to my kids all too often "hold on just a minute" so I can finish what I'm doing before giving them my full attention. I refuse to be that absent minded parent. I'm going to put my phone away more often so when my kids say "mom look at me" I'll be able to quickly and attentively see my children. There will still be days when I need a break from them. There will still be times when I hide in the bathroom for a moment alone. But I know without a doubt that what I want my kids to remember about their childhood is that I was present, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. My time with them isn't going to be surrounded by big plans, trips, and countless amounts of money spent on their behalf. It will still be walks to the park and blowing bubbles in the yard, but let's be real kids just want our eyes to be on them and our hearts to be consumed by their cuteness.
I'm sure the time will come when I get my groove back and things run a bit smoother, but for now things will just have to be hectic and crazy. I'm not going to get everything I want to get done in one day. There will be piles of laundry unwashed and dishes in the sink. Fingerprints on the windows and splatter marks on the mirrors. The grocery lists will grow and grow before things are crossed off and purchased, but at least I'll know that my time was spent in more important ways. I'll be cuddling my baby and playing with my kids. I'll be changing diapers and bathing little bodies. More time will be spent eating popsicles than wiping down countertops and THAT is what matters most.
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