I never dreamed that motherhood would be so...um...excuse me...but, what was I saying?

I asked Thing Two to help me figure out what to get for Thing One's birthday - because, you know, they talk to each other - so, after we dropped her and The Boy off at a birthday party, yesterday -  for one of Thing One's best friends, who has a brother, who goes to school with The Boy, and invited him, apparently, their house is in need of some testosterone, too - Thing Two, Mini-me and I headed over to Famous Footwear.

"I dunno, are you sure?"

Yes, the boots are FABULOUS, but I wanted to be sure that it was what Thing One wanted.

"I swear...these ARE the same exact ones Thing One pointed out in the flyer, Momma!"

Still.

"Try them on!"

What?

"I mean, you guys DO wear the same size!"

Yes, but she's so much more...you know...grown up and thems are some really, really big shoes to fill!

Still.

It seems like only yesterday...

"What are you doing?"

I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my first child - boy, or girl, we wanted to be surprised - and I was going through a serious phase of cleaning every visible surface of the house.  I had the last batch of 3 dozen cookies baking in the oven when my water broke.

"Hanging out and waiting for you."

Garth (not his real name) came bursting through the front door with his tie literally wrapped around his neck and nearly fell on his face.  I had my feet curled under me and was reading a book.

"Want a cookie?"

Today…..

I am going through a serious bout of indifference and find myself avoiding every visible sign of dust, lint, dirty dishes and the never-ending story that is my laundry. Even the cats have given up on getting fed and won’t come calling until my husband gets home from work. I’ve resorted to purchasing ready-made refrigerated cookie dough and haven't picked up a book in...uh...what day is it, again?

It seems like only yesterday……

I napped when she napped and I planned my entire day around her feeding, sleeping, bathing and oh, the weather.

If it was nice, I would take her for a walk in her stroller and enjoy the break away from the solitude and a change of scenery.

If it was nasty, we would sit together for hours and play, read, bake or watch her favorite videos.

Today…..

Oh, I've grown accustomed to having my day dictated by more than one schedule and, most likely, asking the children to remind me to...well...NOT forget.  But, finding a way to carve out time for myself and Garth (not his real name) still eludes me, as much as sleep.  Not for the lack of trying.  But, I just can't seem to be able to get it together, OR shut it all down.

Still.

It seems like only yesterday…..

I did NOT wake to find an eager pair (or, pairs) of eyes waiting to greet me with a kiss.

“I made dis for you. It’s a picture of Mommmmeee dressed like a pwincess because you are so boo-e-ful!”

I didn’t get any Mother’s Days gifts made by little hands, with lots of blue crayon and adorably misspelled words.

“Hapee Movers Day. I wuv u Mommy.”

There were days when I was actually bored, lonely, never worried about what time it was or, hardly appreciated the therapeutic benefits of a little quiet time and a good book.

"No, because tomorrow is pizza and movie night, but how about we have breakfast for dinner?!?"

I never dreamed being a mother would be so...excuse me, a moment.

"Yes, you may borrow my shoes, as long as they get put BACK and in the SAME condition you found them...um...in!"

I'm sorry, what was I saying?

Today.....so, my first born baby girl has managed to sneak in another year and turned 14 years-old.  WAIT!  That's just not right.  I'm still getting used to 13, sort of.

In a few minutes, she'll wake and the celebrations will start, for the 14th time.  She'll be searching for clues and hunting for her birthday presents - no, it shouldn't be that easy - not to mention, blow out the candles on yet another birthday cake...our 38th as parents, to be exact.

Happy Birthday to my Thing One!

Thank you for being such a good baby, for allowing me to love you, even when you don't like me and still finding it in your heart to let me be...well...you know...your everything.

[rolls eyes]

No, you may NOT get a tattoo!

[glances out the window]

But...um...can I borrow your boots?

Comments

[motherofbun]

Hi Lady,

Its been awhile since I got to read you! Have visited your site a few times but I would only see a blank page with your header on it. So I thought maybe you were in the middle of some sort of design stuff as I was trying to access your page.

Today, I saw the same thing and when I'd click on your current posts on your sidebar, I'd still get a blank page. But eventually I scrolled all the way down. And YEAY. I had been thinking of you and wondering how you and the family are and am SO HAPPY I got to read you. YEAY!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your beautiful daughter too!

[Believer in Balance]

Happy Birthday Thing One! Wow, the times goes by fast! Of course my nine year old can wear my shoes already!

[MamaLee]

Wow, I bet those years flew. My oldest is 6 and I can't believe it.

And my kids have big feet. It'll only be a matter of time before my girls will be able to wear my shoes, and vice versa. I just won't be ready for the whole "same bra size as me" thing.

Happy 14th!

XOXO

[Liz]

To my dear friends using Internet Explorer:

"HOLY CRAP and GOSH-DARN IT, ALREADY!"

Someone please tell me that it's working, now...else, I give up any hope of losing my...dang if I don't break everything...status :o(