When Mom's Away...

Ms. Kathy has been sick, leaving our two-working-parent household high and dry. I stayed home with Marin Tuesday and Wednesday, but had to be at a conference yesterday and today that I could not miss. Without a second thought, Jason stayed home with Marin yesterday, and totally rescheduled his day today. And Marin gets to go to work with Daddy on the train this afternoon! Gotta love the 21st century man. Power to the momma!

Stay at home parents will agree, it isn't easy. Especially when there is an ice storm and you're trapped inside all day. I know that while Tuesday (the day when I work from home) is by far my favorite day of the week because I am able to be with Marin all day, it undoubtedly requires the most multitasking. Even considering that Wednesday might bring a meeting during a teleconference while answering emails and acquiring voicemails. But moms everywhere do it every day. I am no saint. And actually, I only have one child. A relative cake walk.

But back to my story. As I said, yesterday Jason was home with Marin. I left our house at 6:20am and arrived home at 7:30pm. And when I walked in the door last night, I was certain we'd been robbed. Except that Norah and Jason and Marin (asleep in Daddy's arms) were on the couch watching the History Channel, so my fears of finding them tied up in the closet while the thieves played tea party, quickly faded. Every single toy that Marin owns was on the floor, completely dissembled, in every single room. Two computers were out and running, Marin's not quite finished dinner was still on the table, along with her dirty bib; her high chair and the table were filthy. Tons of dishes were in the sink. Jason's lunch was on the counter. The peanut butter was out and open; the lid was across the room. When I went upstairs I saw that we had apparently run out of wipes, because the box was empty, and instead of replacing them, the small stash we keep in the diaper bag was out. The bed was unmade, the curtains were still drawn. Then I asked Jason if he had gotten the mail to which he shortly replied, "No! I had Marin!" That answered my question about whether or not the recycling bins had been brought in off the curb, or if he had time to go out and get more formula.

It's not that I am ungrateful. As much as I loath disorder, it was just a momentary mess. Marin was happy as a clam and all snug as a bug in her jammies, cuddled up in her Daddy's arms. And the two of them clearly had a great time. It just goes to show- when Mom's away, don't expect Dad to multitask.

Nesting?

First of all, Happy New Year!!! This is going to be a good year ahead! If only I can figure out how to be a decent mother. :)

So at our birthing class (where Jason learned as he famously puts it, "where NOT to look") we heard about "nesting". Nesting is apparently what women do shortly before they have the baby. Apparently they get a sudden burst of energy and want to clean out some closet or something. Now, to me, this seems totally normal. I love to organize. Why wouldn't you want to have that closet organized before your life changes drastically? So Jason and I joked that I would be "nesting" and not know it. Still, in my head I decided what I would tackle once I was nesting. You know, always good to have a plan in advance. :)

This Saturday I went to put our new bottle drying rack away under the kitchen sink, and in search for the perfect spot, realized that it was completely unorganized under there. So I got down on the floor and took everything out, threw out, sorted, scrubbed, and put the appropriate items back neatly. Halfway through my project, Jason left to go on a run to the Home Depot to get some hardware we needed to hang some shelves in the baby's room. When he came back he found me in our bathroom doing the same thing under those sinks, looking completely ridiculous. "What are you doing?" He asked. (I keep these candles under my sink that I cannot STAND the smell of since I've been pregnant, so I had to tie a bandanna over my nose so that I would not breathe in the smell while I was sorting under the sink.) When I told him that I had also torn through the linen closet and proudly showed off the fruits of my labor, he laughed and said to me, "Is this that "nesting" that they talked about?" When I stood up a few minutes later and had a look at myself in the mirror I realized that he must really love me. Not only did I have the bandanna on over my nose, but I was unshowered, still in my pj's (consisting of my cousin's old Duke Lacrosse t-shirt and Jason's flannel pj bottoms-- one of the only things that fits me for sleeping these days) and had my hair slicked back in a bun literally right on top of my head, and my bangs secured by a bobby pin. I looked horrendous and hilarious.

I finished up my sorting, and filled 3 huge shopping bags worth of junk from under just those three sinks and our linen closet. Then I realized that I had sorted what I was supposed to save to sort when I have the burst of energy nesting right before delivery. Jason was sure that I'd find something else to organize, and I'm sure he's right. Then Jason said that our neighbor, Emilie had just stopped by and wanted to see the baby's room. Jason said, "I told her that maybe she should stop back later" and then carefully proceeded with, "I didn't think you'd want me inviting her in.... considering.... your current appearance." I cracked up. "Is that your way of telling me something? Don't you think this look is glamorous?" He just replied, "Honey, I love you, but right now is not your finest moment."

I knew right then that I had to share this story. So funny. I thought about taking a picture so you all could see just how truly ridiculous I looked, but it was seriously so bad, I couldn't pull the trigger of self mutilation. :)

Ah well, a few minutes later I enjoyed a long soak in the whirlpool, happily knowing that my bottle drying rack fit perfectly in it's new home; that the expired medicine in our cabinet had all be purged, and that all my travel toiletries are together in one spot. And, my husband loves me just the way I am. Even when I impulsively clean our cabinets looking totally crazy. All in a days work.