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Yesterday was. I told Michael that it might have been tied for the Toughest Day As A Mother with the first day I attempted Reese’s potty training. I felt so out of control. Kind of surprised that I woke up ready to take on the day again. There were a few moments yesterday where I thought I might lose it – Murphy’s Law was the order of the day. But here I am, making it. Caron sent me a package with a note in it where she wrote, “Motherhood is a wild ride. Hold on to the Savior.” How I needed that reminder. When everything was beyond my control yesterday, when I was on the verge of melting down, holding a coughing, crying baby, I called out for help and was reminded that this, too, will pass. I’m not given anything I can’t handle.
Today, I am holding on.
…you’ve had your infant son throw up mucus all over you for half an hour. I have never done so much frantic laundry in my life! Or felt quite as helpless. At one point I had two kids hacking uncontrollably. One more day of this and they are both going to the doctor and me, the funny farm. I need a weekend. Thank goodness I can see it from here.
For the week, probably. Reese has a fairly high fever, Liam’s congested, and I’m popping vitamin C, trying to avoid it. Or at least the worst of it. As I was checking my email this morning, I looked over to find Reese passed out on the couch. Poor kid. Both of them are napping right now. I may take this opportunity to shower. Or not. Hey, if I’m gonna be home all day, it’s my prerogative, right?
The bummer is that I have to stay in on a gorgeous day. The best day of the week. I have lots of cleaning to do (and now, probably some disinfecting), so I’m gonna let the day in. Throw open the windows, shake the sheets, turn on some Hem, make some tea, dust off Flannery O’Connor, and relax. I might even be able to watch a thunderstorm roll in later.
The buds on the trees are turning out leaves today!
It was gonna be sunny and in the 70s. We loaded the kids and gear into Mom and Dad’s Suburban and went down to Lincoln yesterday for the annual Red/White scrimmage. The kids’ first Husker game – this could either be the dumbest thing we’ve ever done to our kids, or one of the best so far. Walked around campus along with 80,000+ fans. We sat in the cheap seats. Reese had an “N” painted on each cheek, pompom in hand (we practiced proper cheering with pompoms this week at home). Liam looked like Harry Husker in his overalls. We cheered the team and the new coach, ate blazing-hot runzas, and were part of the first sellout crowd for a Husker scrimmage. Full house! And we were a part of it. Husker Fever runs deep in this family, so it was a thrill. Took tons of pictures (check out my Flickr link to see the evidence).
Came home, showered, discovered we all have various degrees of sunburn. Michael got pizza, we got in our pajamas and went for another Famous Family Drive (as I have dubbed our little meandering excursions around town). Toured some dilapidated parts (oppressive, noted Michael), some cool parts (Florence), and some kinda scary parts (north 30th street). Reese loves going on drives. Liam slept (thankfully). I brought snacks. I saw a man who had wrapped himself in cellophane and plastic sheeting, holding plastic bags, standing in front of a condemned building. Part of me wanted to put him in the car, take him home, get him cleaned up and give him a good meal. The other part of me wondered if he should really be around kids. That got us talking and thinking about poverty, race and serving people. Hmm.
Got home, put everyone to bed, including ourselves, happily exhausted. I sighed as I pulled up the covers and Michael said, “Today was a really GOOD day.” Well said.
Self: when you live in a place with a small bathroom, be sure to keep the toilet lid closed. It’s really easy for things on the sink, medicine cabinet, or shelf to fall into the toilet if you don’t. Like your hairbrush, when you’ve got your head upside down, blow-drying. This is even more gross than it seems, because your hairbrush, full of hair and styling product, becomes really slimy when you pull it out. Really, you should just go buy a new one anyway.
We watched “Lions For Lambs” this weekend, and wow, what a great film! Only 90 minutes long, it packs a punch. Whether you’re for or against the Iraq war, or wars in general, I suggest you check it out. I liked how it conveys war as a complex, messy, not so cut-and-dry, endeavor.
Then again, I just like Robert Redford.
Other war-on-terror (or oil?) related film we liked: Syriana. Then again, I just like George Clooney (sans Ocean’s 12 & 13. Eleven was quite enough, George.).
Okay, lurkers. I know you’re out there. Reading and commenting – or not. And that’s fine. But today, I’m curious – who’s reading me? Everybody holla!
I heart color. Clairol’s Nice’n Easy #120, that is. I finally found a DIY hair color I love, and this is it. Natural Dark Brown. I’ve been trying dark brown shades for the past year or so, but they’ve all been super-dark and matte. I’ve been fighting the Fall Out Boy look for almost a year, so thank goodness that’s over. This color has some built-in subtle highlights and shine. It’s a nice, pretty dark, neutral shade, and in the sun it has this nice cool-red undertone. Finally, a dark brown color that doesn’t make me look like a goth mom. I can now tolerate my growing-out, no-style hairstyle. Amen to that!
I’m glad for Monday morning. After a rotten weekend involving our neighbors, our landlord, the police and some misdemeanor assault (not us, them) – oh, and UNC losing – I went to bed with a really bad attitude. Thank goodness for a new sunny day. On my list (keeping it short to preserve the rare good feelings this morning):
1. laundry. mountains of laundry.
2. clean the bathroom. i’m losing hair, i think. it’s everywhere (cue Dashboard Confessional)
3. plan Reese’s birthday festivities.
4. try to help Liam roll over a bit.
5. read a chapter of “The Jungle Book” (the real one) to Reese.
6. tonight: big grocery trip.
What are you tackling today?
