The Art of Parenting

Becoming a parent takes just an instant. And then you're a parent forever. Its kind of a big deal. (though with the way some people treat/raise their children, you wouldnt think they realized that. No judgement, just an observation.) Every day I am learning something new about being a parent. I am learning patience while I attempt to teach it. I am learning that my life is run by two tiny beings who rely on me for Every. Single. Thing. And I'm ok with that. This is what I signed up for. I wouldnt trade any of this for anything. But I feel like since they rely on me so much and for so much that I dont really get to have "bad days". Sometimes I need to have a bad day. I need to show how worn out I am and when Jacob offers to let me eat first, by gosh! I will! There is a lot you sacrifice when you have children. Before I became a parent, I was a little uptight about cleanliness, and now I am kind of smelly. I am ok if my hair only "sort of" smells like spit up. I can pretend like I will take a shower tomorrow. (In all fairness, Jacob lets me "shower" with the kids, so I at least get to rinse off everyday!) I dont really get to eat hot meals anymore. I cook dinner almost every night, but rarely do I get to eat it with my family. As soon as I'm done making it, I have to get Hadley situated and then I have to feed Atticus. This seems to be the meal that Atticus wants to take the longest to eat. So I eat a lot of cold food. I used to read a book a week.  I am surprised I even know how to read anymore. I havent picked up a paintbrush and painted "just because" in a really really long time. My life has been taken over by tricycles, baby dolls, Elmo (whom I firmly believe every parent has a love/hate relationship with), diaper changes, 3 meals, 3 snacks, juice, water, balls, trains, playdates, 6-10 nursing sessions a day and very little sleep. My body is a whole post in itself. I feel like a tiger has stretched out on my skin and died. But thats not a big deal. Thats why you're supposed to be in a long term relationship when you have kids. Someone has to love you when you look like a lunatic. I dont know how single moms do it. Dont get me wrong, I get so much joy out of these two little souls that lived inside me. Every smile Atticus gives me, Hadley's laugh, watching her learn how to color and seeing her in her dance outfit. Getting to clean out his closet way faster than I should because he too, is getting too big too fast. Parenthood is awesome, but its also exhausting and a learning process.