what goes up . . .
excuse me if this post doesn’t make perfect sense — i’m writing it in a fever-filled haze on tuesday evening [though it won’t be posted until thursday due to a giveaway post scheduled for tomorrow].
i just want to take a moment to say something that has been weighing on my mind ever since this blog took a turn towards mommy blogger territory [not something i planned and i hope i offer more than just that, but . . . it is what it is.]
the thing is: motherhood is amazing. and exciting. and fun. and satisfying.
except when it’s not.
skewed view?
i really have, on the whole, enjoyed the journey thus far. a. is a wonderful baby and really, i got what exactly what i signed up for! every single positive post i have written has been in earnest, coming from a place of utter sincerity. the thing is that when i’m struggling:
a) i don’t want to come off as a complainer. after all, i literally waited years for this.
b) i am less likely to have the time/energy to blog during those times.
reason b) is probably why when i flip through the recent archives, the theme is one of overwhelming bliss. it’s completely honest when i’m writing it! but of course, everything isn’t ALWAYS easy. in fact, i struggle quite frequently.
at this very moment i’m struggling: my temp has reached dramatic heights [102] and as a result, i think i just conducted the least enthusiastic bedtime routine to date. [luckily it seemed that a. enjoyed her extra-warm milk and is currently passed out.]
all last week i struggled: she has had a daycare illness [#3, the one i am currently enduring] and as i’ve mentioned, has been up every couple of hours coughing. i was a good sport about it at first, but it has gotten old. and i was pretty torn up about having to miss out on date night [we’ve only managed two so far].
at work i sometimes struggle: i end up anxious about finding time to pump during clinic days [though so far it’s been fine] and at each pump session, the ol’ pump ‘n’ style still feels like a barometer of my worthiness as a mom. [5 oz? i rule. 3 oz? someone should probably call DSS. what did i do wrong?!]
working out has been better than i imagined, but can still be a struggle. i’ve decided to train for a half, but my 12-week training plan has already been marred by two missed workouts this week [due to aforementioned day care-acquired illness #3].
getting dressed is still a struggle each AM. while the baby weight has been off for some time, i personally find my current body shape awkward and hard to dress. i feel frumpy more days than i do not.
and finally, as much as it saddens me to admit it, i still struggle to find the energy to get through the day sometimes. i SO want to do everything — work, care for annabel, stay fit [and enjoy my favorite running hobby], blog, cook healthy/decent dinners, maintain a fairly organized household, and more. some days it all comes together. and on others, it most certainly does not.
i think about dear friends with multiple babies [hi sue!] and realize that on the whole, i actually have it pretty easy. and yet on many days, life feels like a significant challenge. i stare at the piles of dirty pump parts in the sink, and think: how many more days like this?
so there you have it.
again, i 100% have no intention of deceiving anyone when i write over-the-moon posts about a wonderful weekend or successful day. but i do want to provide a balanced picture. i love being a mom and would do it again in a heartbeat [and hopefully will . . .eventually], but i don’t want anyone to read and think that it’s always easy, natural, and perfect.
only sometimes.
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