I need to work on Hannah's baby book, her photo book, call, visit or have lunch with several people since it's been months, work on all the unfinished crafting and sewing projects, start the Christmas gifts, Christmas cards, blog about recipes, or blog in general, keep up with the house work, cooking, baking, my bible study, my emails, thank you notes, weekly dinner menus, bills, errands... It goes on and on, and then it starts to feel so very overwhelming.
While I was driving home from an impromtu few hours of "Mommy Time" that involved a trip to Starbucks and Anthropologie, (LOVE my dear Husband) I started to realize how big and out of control this self-imposed fear of not getting it all done really is! Why do I feel like I need to get all the things that I, myself, put on the "to-do" list in the first place. Talk about pressure. It's pretty darn exhausting y'all.... and it needs to stop.
I was reading THIS post from Ashley Ann, and it really reaffirmed for me that my most important item on my "to-do" list is to be a GOOD MOM. To hold my sweet baby girl and love on her and enjoy her while she's still tiny. I've been loving this poem for a while now, and I thought I'd share it...
Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
-Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
So I'm going to work really hard in the next few weeks, with God's help of course, to put down all the things I need to do and just enjoy my sweet girl. Life's just too short to make myself miserable trying to do it all, and missing the good stuff in the mean time. Can I get an "Amen" from all you Mamas out there?
AMEN! I love this poem so much, I think I ought to frame it and hang it in my kitchen as a constant reminder. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteMy eyes teared up a bit with this post, Sis. You truly are an amazing mommy to that beautiful angel. She's so lucky to have you. You set such an amazing example for me. Love you!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog just found you while doing a search for bunting, and the poem is right on point. Hold them and play with them because before you know it they are teens, my oldest turns 15 next month and the time flew right by..... Your daughter is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHi, just came across this from google. It is so true. My eldest is 5 now and it has flown by. Enjoy every moment you spend with your little one. You will once again have a perfect house but you will never get the time back with your little one when she is tiny.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet angel. I remember when my kids were little I felt the same way. It's amazing how much time etc a little one needs (worth every second) but I was overwhelmed. The cleaning will keep! Just do your best and try not to worry. Hannah has changed your rhythm but it will get easier. I am glad you are getting some alone time too. xo
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