March 14, 2012

One Drizzly Morning


The alarm on my phone goes off. Barely cracking my eyes open, I flail my hand around to the top of the dresser next to my side of the bed until I manage to find my phone.

I push snooze.

Five minutes later, the alarm sounds again and I push snooze, again. I do this every five minutes for half an hour, until Claira decides she's too annoyed with my alarm clock to stay asleep any longer. She stands up in her pack-n-play at the foot of our bed and starts crying at me.

She knows we're there and she won't give up.

She needs to move out.

I finally manage to stumble out of bed, knocking my hip against the changing table and stubbing my toe on a dinosaur toy left on the middle of the floor.

Ignoring the dishes still sitting out from dinner as they stare up at me accusingly, I manage to make her a bottle and get her calmed down. Then I briefly start up the mental battle. To go back to bed or to stay up and be productive, that is the question.

Finally deciding to be a responsible parent and not return to blessed oblivion, I go to the kid's rooms to start getting them up for the day.

The two children that don't have school are already awake, of course.

The two that do have school are still asleep and I spend the next 20 minutes trying to convince them to get up and going.

The next half hour flies by in a tizzy as I scamper from room to room gathering up shoes and gloves, backpacks and homework, then packing lunches and pouring cereal, all the while vowing to myself that, one of these days, I'm going to start having the kids get all their stuff together before bed. And while I'm at it, start going to bed early myself.

Never mind that I've been saying that for months now.

Daddy emerges from the bedroom to leave for work and we have family prayer.

Jacob is laying in the hallway whimpering. He got his kindergarten immunization shots yesterday, two in each leg, and now he refuses to walk anywhere since his legs are sore. I carry him to the kitchen and get him and Alayna some breakfast.

Claira attacks my feet, demanding attention. Setting some Cheerios on the floor so she can snack, unintentionally like a puppy, she is temporarily mollified.

It's time to get to the bus stop and now I'm frantic. Joseph is still working on his breakfast and I'm still tackling Savannah's hair. Calm requests turn into barking orders. Get your coats, hats, and gloves on... hurry! Nevermind brushing your teeth, just get ready! Soon winter clothes are flying and the kids race out the door.

I have to call Savannah back because she forgot her backpack.

I watch them for a moment as they walk away. Then another kid from the corner yells, "Buuuuuss!" And my children take off running.

Relieved we made it in time, I pick up Claira who is trying to escape through the open front door, and I immediately feel wet warmth on my side. Blast, I forgot to change her diaper.

Cleaning her up and changing my sweater, I take her back to the kitchen and tell Alayna to quit dancing on the counter and Jacob to quit cutting up the cereal boxes.

So naturally Alayna decided she could since I had only specified Jacob.


I plop down on the couch on pick up the laptop. The overcast, rainy weather has made me a little nostalgic and I sit down to write this post thinking how someday I'll want to remember these times.

Halfway through Claira starts emptying the kitchen cupboard and is soon screaming because she pushed it shut on her hand. I pull her out and calm her down.

As I make my way back to the couch, I grab a handful of chocolate chips. True story.

I continue writing this post when Jacob announces he has to go potty. Claiming he still can't walk I hide a smile and carry him to the bathroom.

Claira is throwing a hissy fit so I make her another bottle. She's the happiest baby alive in that moment.

On my way back to the living room, I grab yet a another handful of chocolate chips thinking that if nothing else, I drank my fiber drink this morning, and hey, that has to count for something!

At least, that was my justification.

And now, at this very moment, the kids are asking to play a game on my kindle.

I guess that's my cue to sneak in a shower!



Ouch!! Claira just bit my knee!

True story.

10 super cool people speak:

Brenick said...

wow. i can imagine every last bit of this, and i only have two kids! haha. i will say that i probably would have gone back to bed though... haha :)

Amy said...

You're right. You will want to remember this someday. I want to do the same thing; play by play account of the craziness. Because one day it'll be treasured like a handful of chocolate chips.

Susan Anderson said...

Your blog is going to be such a treasure for your kids to read in years to come. And for their kids, too!

=)

Angel Day said...

You know, while I was reading this, Lillie was a little too quite. I, mistakenly think that maybe she put herself down for a nap, when she walks through the door Covered in blue marker. She quietly says, "this" as if to say, "I have no idea how THIS got on my arms and legs." I went to make sure she didn't color on the walls when I find the marker she used. SO appropriate, the marker reads, 'creative coloring'. Needless to say, I put her to bed right after.

Valerie said...

Good luck getting that shower in every day. I remember how hard it was when my kids were little to take one in peace.

My oldest (16 yo) is actually my hardest to get out of bed. Grrrr! And at that age, it's not cute.

Aunt Suzi Quilts said...

Well, Since I have been absent in blogger land for a while, I am totally amazed that you have another little one. And it is good to hear that there are others who have crazy days.

Mama Smith said...

As I read this BEFORE Going to BED...hmmm...1:00 a.m.... thinking I have to get up to have prayer and scripture with your dad in about 4 hours...cause...he has to leave by 6:15 to teach SEMINARY...Oh...why am I just now going to bed? I had Relief Society stuff to do...TRUST me...even when there are NO KIDS at home right now...do you think you are going to get in a good night's sleep? Ha...Ha...Ha....Ah...you say...I should just go back to bed after your dad leaves? Can't...I need to go babysit for a sister at 9:30 a.m. (smile)

Larsen said...

You know that Country song, You're Gonna Miss This?

if not, Google it.

Happy Overcast Day!

Brittney said...

Awww so fun to look in on your life. You're such a good mommy.

Anonymous said...

I truly love coming to know your family through your blog. You are just darn funny and it is a nice break in my day when I can just sit down and laugh at what is going on in someone else's life.
Oh, and before you think I'm a stocker...I read one of your post on mormonmommyblogs and was hooked. Meant to send you a message letting you know that I was reading your blog but um my kids are 3, 2, and 1, and since you've been there I don't think anymore explanation is required. :)

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