Lessons Learned

This weekend was the first time I have been alone with Alex for any extended period of time. Travis left early Saturday for a business trip, and so little A-Man and I were flying solo (and are still flying solo until later this week). It's amazing the skills and capabilities you learn from being a mother - especially when you have plenty of one on one time to reflect on everything you have done that day. And, it's also amazing how you can consistently prove yourself wrong (again, a realization after much reflection).

For example, I was a GREAT parent until I had kids. You know what I am talking about..."My kids will never (fill in the blank)," or "I will not let my son (fill in the blank)." I used to think all the statements I made about how I would parent when I had the opportunity would come true in some fairy tale parenting land that is definately not reality.

One of "My kids will nevers" was "I won't plop my kid in front of the TV to entertain him while I do laundry or something." HAHAHAHAHA!!!! That's pretty funny. I have developed a deep love for Baby Einstein and their genius line of videos that are for three months and up. You see, Alex is mesmorized by the TV. He loves the colors and the movement. I know it's not good for him to watch it, but I just needed 20 minutes yesterday to wash bottles and put his clothes away. That's it. So, I became a hypocrite and "Plopped him in front of the TV to entertain him while I did laundry and dishes." Yes, I admit it. And, I have to admit, this is not the first time I have done this either. I did it twice last week. It was only yesterday that I realized I was going against my own pre-child parenting rules, and was laughing to myself as I did it...thinking this is only the first of many times I go against what I said I'd never do.

And, being alone with Alex not just now, but from day one has taught me that I was not as great of a multi-tasker as I thought I was. I had definately not honed my skills yet in multi-tasking, so basically all these years of having a career I have been misleading my employers with my fantastic skills in this area. (Sorry for that!) Being a mother takes multi-tasking to a whole new level. For example, yesterday I did our taxes while rocking Alex in his bouncy seat and shaking his Lamaze peacock for him. Then, I made our bed with one hand while singing "Itsy-bitsy spider" and bouncing up and down. And THEN I proof-read something for work while giving him a bottle. It's absolutely amazing how you create hours in the day.

So, this is probably not new to most of you - but they leave this part out when telling you how wonderful motherhood is! The self-discovery that comes along with it.

More soon...