My Current Life

So after going to work each day for the past 22 years, staying at home with a toddler is a change.  A big change!  I'm use to getting up, showering, putting on make up, fixing my hair, choosing a cute outfit (OK...maybe not cute, maybe one that just fits that day!) and heading off to my classroom.  

My classroom - the place where I'm in charge and it's organized.  Everything has a place and everything (for the most part) is in the correct place.  I can find what I need easily.  Sure, there are 22 children there but, they aren't toddlers.  They generally listen and follow directions just fine.  There's not whining or crying. (Maybe there's some, but it's usually short lived.)

Now, I still get up early so I can get a quick shower.  I put on the "typical Mommy" stay at home outfit:  exercise pants (although I can't remember the last time I went to the gym), tennis shoes and hopefully, a stain free t-shirt.  Make up is minimal and my hair is pulled back with a bobby pin.  I know I need to do something different with my hair when Lily opens up my bathroom drawer, pulls out the bobby pins, and immediately holds it up to her hair wanting one in.  Lily thinks she wants her hair just like her Mama. Who have I turned into?

Have you seen this person lately?  It could be me without my bobby pin!

I use to make my coffee in my to go cup and leisurely enjoy it once I got to work and throughout the first part of the kids coming in to class for the day.  Now, I make a cup, get a few sips and reheat it in the microwave several times, only to finally empty it down the sink after breakfast.

Mmmm....coffee, how I love you!

I use to think that staying at home would mean I would get so much done around here.  Well, for those of you who have stayed home with little ones, you know that's not true.  At all!  I never imagined one 2 year old would add so much more laundry, dishes and messes around here. Everything my shadow and I do now takes 5 times as long.  She is a big help though - she likes to put

clothes into the dryer, turn on and off lights, load the dishwasher, close all the doors and put things into the trash.

Love this little girl so much!

I hope to soon get my "brain" back.  I think Lily took it from me right after we came home from China.  With Michael sick initially and all of us recovering from our jet lag, my brain was total mush.  As my husband told me recently, out of all the things he thought would be different, me without the ability to think normally was not one of them.  I'm happy to say that he went back to work this week and was on a trip for two days, Lily and I survived!  We even went out to eat, went to the park and did a big grocery shopping trip.  Yea for us!!

I don't want to be in jail, Mommy! Just playing at the park...

Yes, things are very different around here and I wouldn't change it for the world.  How awesome is it that I get to spend my days with this sweet girl and to watch her experience so much on a daily basis? Anyway, I know I'll get my brain back.  One day.  Maybe.

 Sleeping with a blanket her Great Grandma made a very, long time ago