Getting Ready

My friend recently shared a hilarious YouTube video titled: People with no kids don't know. If you haven't seen it yet, please watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQfylQ2Jgg&feature=share&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuFQfylQ2Jgg&app=desktop

This comedian was spot on. I laughed as I tried to remember what it was like not to have kids.

When it was just me I took an hour and a half to get ready. If I had to be at school or work by 8:30am I woke up at 7:00am. It gave me time to have a nice, long shower. I had time to eat breakfast and read the newspaper. I usually took the time to blow dry and straighten my hair and always wore make up. I could play with my routine as well - if I hit the snooze button, I might wear my hair in a ponytail. If I didn't shave my legs I had time to cook eggs instead of eating cereal. And if I was really motivated in the winter I often had time to shovel snow before leaving. I always made it to my destination early.

When Mya came along my timeframe stayed the same, but the routine changed drastically. She had to be at day care for 9:30am which meant I woke at 8:00am. I did not hit snooze - there was no time. I raced through a quick shower, dressed and threw my hair in a ponytail. I woke mya by 8:30am (she has always been an excellent sleeper) and took the time to cuddle her as she woke up. I'd change her, get her dressed and brush her hair and teeth. I'd be packing her diaper bag as I'd glance at the clock and be appalled that it was already 9:00am. She'd doddle to the kitchen because that's what toddlers do when their mom is in a hurry and I would rush to pack my work supplies. Before racing out the door I would put cheerios or a muffin in a bowl in hopes that she would eat it in the car and grab a granola bar for myself. Lucky for her I took advantage of the fact that snack time at daycare was served at 10:00am. We always made it to daycare just in time.

But today my life includes two kids: a thriving 2-year old toddler and an ever-growing 6-month old. The hour and a half window I used to allow myself is, sadly, not even close. We usually plan play dates and outings for around 10:00am and if I wake up at 7:00am, I'm still lucky if we make it on time. I need at least half an hour to feed, change and burp Jasper and another half hour to sit politely at the table with Mya while she picks at her breakfast. As an added bonus I now get to eat too, but if I get up too soon the process starts over. If we're having a good day I can have a quick shower, but otherwise I shower at night or at nap time. I can read messages on my phone, but forget about having time for the paper. My hair is frequently in a ponytail, much to my husband's dismay, and I only wear makeup on special occasions. When things are running smoothly, that's Jasper's cue to begin crying uncontrollably because he can't burp himself yet. Or I suddenly have to chase my toddler who refuses to put her shirt on. I have to take a step back and try not to get frustrated as she learns to put on her own panties - usually with both legs in the same leg hole - herself. Packing the diaper bag for Jasper and the toy-of-the-day for Mya, along with finding shoes and jackets sets us back. Loading Jasper is easy, but I always have to convince Mya that although it would be wonderful to point out all the rocks in the rock garden out front, we really do have somewhere to be. We are usually driving away from the house at the exact time we're already supposed to be somewhere. We are frequently late, but only by a few minutes.

It's comedic when I look at how I now manage my time and that's probably why I laughed so hard at the YouTube video. The life of a kid-free Melanie sounds so ideal and wonderful (did I really shave my legs everyday?), but I know the grass isn't always greener. It was in the morning when Mya said her first word, baby, and I had to pause to ensure I heard her right. It's hearing Jasper's giggle while driving in the car as Mya and I belt out our made-up song called Sing a Sooooooong! It was beautiful as I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth and watching Jasper roll over three times in a row. And it makes me laugh when Mya tells me that she will only get ready if "Jasper come shopping toooo?!" Yes, life was easier in my kid-free days, but it wasn't nearly this much fun.

Someday I'll have all the time in the world to take my time getting ready again, but for now I'm not complaining. Well, that's not true - I frequently complain! My life is hectic. My life is crazy. But I can also take the time to laugh at myself because I wouldn't have it any other way.

Melanie