The perspective has changed

When I was pregnant with Sadie, I wondered, "How on earth will it be possible to manage a family with 3 young children?" "Will we ever get sleep?"  "Will we have time for us, for each other, for the oldest kids?"  It's funny, 19 months into it and we are still standing.  Last week, I spent 4 days running the household on my own.  Chad left on business bright and early Tuesday morning and didn't return until Friday afternoon.  4 mornings to organize on my own, 4 bedtimes to battle, 4 tidy ups on my own, (minus the evening my sister watched them while I attended Photoshop and came home to find a clean kitchen and living room, thank you sweet doll!) I did it. We were organized, on-time, cleaned up and bedded all successfully and without tears (near tears after a painting debacle but not quite) from me or them.  We missed Daddy but we did it, my little clan and I. 

My expectant friends and those with newborns remind me constantly about how far I've come.  If someone had told me 19 motnhs ago that I would be able to tend to all 3 of these monkeys on my own and still have my mind relatively intact at the end, I would have questioned their sanity.  I remember when Ty came home from the hospital as a newborn and thinking I cannot even take a shower with this baby. It seemed like climbing a mountain to take him in a baby carrier and go grocery shopping. I remember 19 months ago,  making meals with Ty in time out, Maggie crying at my feet and Sadie crying in my arms or better yet, nursing in my arms while I cooked.  I remember Chad walking in after work and basically tagging off, "i've had it". YOUR TURN!  We still don't sleep as much as I would like but I know that I sleep a heck of a lot more than my friend Nicole does these days.  It's in the perspective, right.  Can you imagine jumping from the way we were before kids, clean house, sane mind, evenings of friends and good times, nights of sleep to recuperate right into chaos of 3 little children, a constant whirl wind of tidying that never actually is completed and knowing that even while sleeping your time is not your own but rather a gift that your children have decided not to steal from you...not yet anyways!  Who would welcome children?  My friends remind me of the times passed and the times to come.  Reading about G learning to use the potty reminded me that I have to do all of that again.  LAST TIME!  Seeing Miss Eloise at book club reminded how free my arms are without a babe nestled in them 24 hours a day.  Life is easier since then but certainly not as warm or as cuddly.  Hearing my sweet expectant friend talk about her awaited first babe and all the changes that she is nervous about reminds me of where I started this journey.  How big the jump seemed back then and yet hear I stand, full and complete for the love of these little people.  Children take effort and time you didn't know you could spare but they also fill your heart with love you didn't know was possible.  You think you can't do without one more moment of sleep and then your youngest needs nothing more than their mama to soothe their bad dream.  You pick up the 400 hundred markers scattered across the table and even pair up the right colored lids, vowing "I will never do this again, they can do without markers!!"  And then you see the creativity that has made its way to the paper from even the youngest member and you know the markers will be right back tomorrow.  The sweating caused as you try to dress 3 munchkins in layer upon layer just so they can enjoy 5 minutes in minus 35 weather cannot be worth the effort.  But it is, it's worth every moment of torment and more just to see them in their fort.  The laundry pile cannot get any higher or more intimidating and then your kids make a fort in it.  You somehow manage a laugh instead of a cry. 

 The perspective has changed, hasn't it?  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat.

Comments

[Kathryn]

are you trying to get me pregnant?

[anya]

"Children take effort and time you didn't know you could spare but they also fill your heart with love you didn't know was possible."

That's an understatement! Beautifully written. You reminded me of the challenges I faced as a new parent, and how different I am today. I still face challenges, but I wouldn't trade a moment for what I get in return.

[tamara]

Absolutely! Great post Mollie!

[Dennis and Judy Giesbrecht]

A beautiful post Mollie!

Judy

[Shauna]

Hear! Hear! I love this post from beginning to end...

[Melissa]

Amen to that!

[Colleen]

Great Post:)

Although I must confess, I almost offered to give my 2 year old to a stranger in the store today;) Oh. .yes. .I'm kidding, then he gave me that wide eyed "sorry I just destroyed Urban Barn" smile and I melted once again. . .

By the way. . .there may be a sale on at Urban Barn due to possible damage to a variety of goods. . .ARGH.