Things I do as a Mom

Things I can't do now that I'm a mom:

• read books, because the baby wants the book and tears the pages;
• write stories, because the baby wants the pen and notebook (and tears the pages) or wants to be on the laptop;
• blog more, because the baby wants to be on the laptop;
• cook and clean as much as I'd like, because the baby wants to be held all the time (but we haven't had much luck with the carrier);
• play the piano, because the baby wants to play with me or instead of me;
• eat certain foods, because the baby wants to eat everything I eat;
• go to the bathroom in peace, because the baby wants to come in, and when he does he either pulls cleaning products and razors out of the cupboard, climbs into the bathtub, pulls dirty kleenexes and clumps of hair out of the garbage, plays with the dirty plunger, pulls the toilet paper forever, or splashes in the toilet if I'm not on it; 
• talk on the phone, because the baby wants to talk on the phone;
• and, for now, go places like Grammy and Grandpa's house, the playground, play groups, or pool due to COVID-19!

Things I do that are hard to do as a mom:

• remain calm and gentle in the face of a mischievous or angry small child;
• clean up mess after mess after mess;
• wake in the night to feed the baby;
• diaper changes (it isn't the smell, it's the defiant wriggler!)

...etc.

Things I CAN do now that I'm a mom:

• read books to the baby, and listen to audiobooks and podcasts while the baby and I play or do work together;
• tell stories to the baby, and write when Daddy's got him;
• blog, because motherhood has inspired me more;
• cook and clean with the baby, because he loves to help! He always wants to help mix whatever I'm making on the stove. My husband's arms almost fell off yesterday while he held him over the pan to mix and mix and mix and mix and mix and mix the frying peppers. He always helps unloads the dishwasher, and has only broken 2 dishes. If he makes a mess, at least he is learning.
• play the piano with the baby, because that's fun, right?
• eat food together, because the baby loves food! He's a great eater thanks to baby-led weaning!
• go to the bathroom... well, either I let him scream for me outside, or sit in the empty tub and play, or go to Daddy
• talk on the phone with the baby, because everyone whom I phone loves to hear his sweet little babbling!
• and, for now, get little breaks to do things because Daddy's home due to COVID-19!

Other things I get to do now that I'm a mom:

• receive slobbery kisses;
• tickle tiny toes;
• listen to baby laughter, singing, and play;
• watch wonder and awe at the littlest things, like discovering a white dandelion;
• teach a little mimicker little tricks;
• be endlessly entertained by his cuteness;
• cuddle with a sweet little boy who loves me.

Yep.. it's worth it!!