Mommy Messes

I have a hard time dealing with the mess that comes with kids. In fact, I think that is the hardest thing about motherhood for me right now. I loathe the clean up that comes with meal time. And saying it out loud makes me feel like a bad mom. I have seen a gazillion moms hand a messy item over to their kids no problem and then clean them up in one quick swipe with a wipe, and somehow their kids are miraculously clean afterwards. I lack that mom gene. I cringe anytime I give my daughter anything messy (which at two is everything). I shudder when food rolls out of my son's mouth and into his neck. Am I the only mom who feels the overwhelming need to hose my kids down outside every time they eat? Layla had mac and cheese for lunch today and it was all over her hands, face, belly, legs...everywhere. Oh, and those moms who can get their kids squeaky clean with one quick wipe? How do they do it? It is a twenty minute ordeal for me! A twenty minute, scrubbing (from me), screaming (from Layla and Cal), patience losing (from all of us) ordeal. The best part? Finding dried nasty food in between their fingers just a few minutes later.

Oh the joys of motherhood. But I love it. I would love it more without the mess, but I do love it. I know all of you do too, that is what makes us want to do more and be more for our kids. I really want to hear from you, hear your thoughts and ideas, so if you are reading please keep commenting! I loved all of last week’s comments. It is comforting to hear that I am not alone in feeling a little behind! What was your week like?

Mine was spent cleaning up messes, food messes, art messes, poop messes (yes, that is plural for poop messes, and don't ask, I shudder even thinking about it). How do you handle all of the mess? What's your Mom secret for cleaning up? I know you all have some good tricks up your sleeve! How do you keep from constantly following along behind your kids wiping their hands off? Let me know, I need some major help in this area!

By the way, because it is just too sweet to pass up, last night a sleepy Layla was snuggled up next to me and just before she drifted off to sleep she looked up at me with her adorable big brown eyes and said, "I love you so much Mom." I live for moments like that. Those moments make everything better, even dried food between the fingers.

Here it is...

So here it is. I've been wanting to do a public blog for quite some time, but my two kiddos have had other plans for me. I saw an opportunity this morning and seized the moment! My daughter, Layla, who is two is currently occupied with rocking on the stool on the glider and screaming "Wee! I'm flying!" and Cal, my six month old son, is hanging out happily playing in his walker. I am certain that as soon as I get into this blog all chaos will erupt!

So why a public blog? I have a private blog that I share with friends and family already (okay, let's be honest here, I hardly ever update it anymore). I want something bigger. I want to hear your opinions on being a parent, on wanting to be a parent, on not wanting to be a parent. I want ideas on how to make home life run smoother. I want input from all of you (hopefully there will eventually be some readers to constitute "all of you").

So who am I? I am a 27 year old mother of two. I have been married for eight years. I have an adorable two year old little girl who is constantly keeping me guessing. Just when I think I have her figured out, her mood changes and I'm left wondering who this little stranger is! I also have an easy going 6 month old boy, Cal. He is such a mellow guy, except when 5am rolls around! Then he is up and ready for the day!

I have an amazing husband, who I adore (even though he drives me crazy a good portion of the time)! He is going to school full time and working full time, and I hardly ever see him. He is an amazing dad, and both of my kids head over heels about him.

I am LDS, and my faith and religion are very important to me, so as we continue on this blogging journey I am sure you will hear more about that as well.

Basically, I am mom who is constantly trying to keep up. I want to be the kind of mom that can see a learning opportunity in every situation. Who takes beautiful photographs of her kids every day. Who takes the time to do fun crafts and baking projects with her kids. In truth, I am struggling to keep up, always feeling like I am one step behind. I think of taking pictures, but then spend thirty minutes looking for my camera and once I find it the moment is gone. But I'm learning. I'm growing. It's never too late to be the mom, wife, and woman I want to be.

So here is my question to you. Who are you? What do you want out of life? Who do you want to be? Leave a comment!

By the way, that chaos I was talking about...oh yeah, it's happening. Layla is sticking her toy thermometer in Cal's face while trying to listen to his heart. Meanwhile, he is shrieking and she is saying "Be quiet, I need to do something!" to him. Welcome to my life :)