Let me back up.... last Friday was super busy. Atticus had a playdate with a friend at a children's museum. A really wonderful children's museum that is a hot bed of potential injuries (non-secured stools in the diner play area, a giant metal-probably-painted-with-lead-paint 1930's fire truck for kids to climb on, etc...). I did a whole lot of waddling around and toting a 33 lb.toddler. But it was truly was a blast.
Atticus refused to nap that day and was irritable as a result and my lovely husband offered to hang out with Grumpy Pants so I could have a break. I went to the coffee shop and feverishly knitted. I had Christmas gifts to make! And then the embroidered Christmas stockings to finish! And more baking when I got home! And I wanted to handcraft thank you notes! And then all the non-Christmas things I wanted to do like read Thomas Hardy or blog!!! ARGHHHHH!!!!
I stood up from my cozy coffee shop chair and felt my hip pop. I could barely walk. My left leg felt weak and the pain in my hip was unbearable. I hobbled home and whined a bunch. I was convinced the holiday was now ruined and I was worried about being home alone with Atticus the next day while Sam worked. And that was when I had my revelation.... "fuck my to-do list."
Seriously.... Sam can get his scarf in January for our anniversary.... I've already baked a least a dozen things... neither kid gives two hoots whether their stocking is handmade or the cheapy one from Walgreens. No one in blog land gives a damn if I have Instagrammed holiday cozy photos posted every day. My hip hurt, I wanted some hot cocoa, a blanket, and to watch White Christmas. At one point I heaved myself up to go to the bathroom, Persephone rolled over, my hip popped, and I felt almost instantly better. I take that as a sign that I had the right idea.
I took the weekend in stride and just played with the kids and bummed around. On Monday we knocked out the housework, I baked cookies and made some candy, and then my in-laws brought over Christmas Eve dinner (yay! no dishes or cooking!). After the kids were in bed, Sam and I watched Mickey's Christmas Carol and readied the gifts and stockings.
Christmas day was wonderful. I didn't wear makeup. I didn't clean the house again before my parents stopped by. I wasn't a Nazi over paper bits. And I finally gave up on keeping the toys orderly. It was a wonderful relaxing day that culminated in a wonderfully luxurious 3-hour long nap that afternoon. I need to do this control loosening thing more often.
Now some photo documentation of said wonderful holiday:
4 comments:
I am working on letting go more this time around with my 8 month old twins versus when the teen was small. Happy New Year!
Letting go of undue mom-stress is one of my goals for 2013. And that owl bag is AWESOME. You knew I'd say that, right?
I so loved reading this! Letting go of my need for control and perfection is my number one goal for the coming year!
Add me to the list of those of us who need to learn that lesson as well. I am better than I used to be with 2 so close in age now. But I've got a lot left to learn. Sweet pictures, Amanda. SO glad you are having a restful holiday. ;)
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