Those were the days

While leaning into the toilet to apply my new sanitize and clean gel last night, I couldn't help but think about how times change when you become a Mom. It used to be that I would get excited that a new restaurant was opening or a new bar. Now in amongst kid tv shows I catch commercials advertising the latest and greatest in cleaning products. I find myself feeling excited to rush to Target to see if I can find it. The joy that I feel when that product is finally mine and I get to use it for the first time, revivals the old feeling of walking into Cat's Ally for the first time (my favorite college bar).

I felt a little sad thinking about it. With the flush of the toilet, my old memories of how things used to be seemed to be riding the wave down the drain. But then I stopped and remembered that I'm a Mom. Call it pathetic or sad, but that's what Moms think about. Yeah it's not exciting and glamorous but a new product adds a little pizazz to the daily cleaning ritual. And even though my idea of what is exciting and fun have definitely been redefined, it's not bad. I love being a Mom. I love worrying about how I'm going to get that grass stain out. I want the toilet sparkling so all those cute little girl buns have a nice place to sit.

So yeah times have changed, but I wouldn't go back or trade it in. With age comes a redefined sense of what is important. And if using that new Kaboom cuts down my cleaning time so I can spend more time with the little people, than darn it I'm excited about it.

My Idol

I have found that when you become a parent you learn a lot about what you are good at and even more about what you're not. Basically your faults become blatantly obvious.

This isn't too much of a surprise, but I'm a type A, clean freak, with low tolerance, and a get it done quick kind of attitude. Just the kind of person that makes the world worst parent. Now I'm not fishing for a "ah come on you're a great mommy" statement. I know that there are some things I'm really good at. Some days I would even give myself a small good mommy star. But I think it's good to realize "hey I need work". Luckily I have my idol and role model living under the same roof. Yep, my husband.

Rick happens to be a teacher by trade, photographer and woodworker on the side (amongst other skills), and well a generally interesting person. With all his projects, kids included, he takes the right approach, understands the problem, works to find the solution, and just generally does it right. Now some may find it irritating to have this naturally talented fella walking around. And yes, I'll admit sometimes when you're feeling bad about yourself, the glow of greatness moving through the halls doesn't warm, but stings a little. However, how fabulously lucky am I to have this person as my partner in crime in parenting. Where I fail he shines. When I think "how could I have done that differently", he answers by showing. So I consider myself pretty lucky.

I know I'm a project but how great to have the teacher nearby.

The Next American Idol Winner Is...

Since American Idol is starting tonight this seems an appropriate blog topic. I started to realize the other day that my baby gets the biggest smile on her face when I sing. In fact, when I yell at the kids, scream "dinner is ready", or read a book; she is all smiles.

I love that my voice is the sweetest thing to her. Maybe it's because she associates it with being fed or comforted. But whatever it is, it's a nice feeling. Beats the eye rolling, shrugging, walking away that often follows the airing of my voice. She's not old enough to hate the sound of my voice yet. She's not on to the fact that my voice doesn't always mean fun times are about to ensue. She doesn't realize that even the shower judges would kick me off the first week. Passion and volume are there, but pitch and tone went down the drain. All she knows is Mom is talking and Mom equals love. Such a simple equation, but one that right around 2-2.5 years old they tend to forget. One of my favorite memories in fact is my oldest walking down the hall with my (then) baby and saying, "just keep walking, you don't have to listen to her". Uh yeah, one for the record books.

But until that time comes, I'm going to cherish the fact that she thinks my voice is worthy of winning The Next American Idol.

The Great One

This story is appropriate because I really wanted to capture the essence of each of my kids. My oldest is Gabriella Leona (the Lion and yes she is). She is the one that I refer to as my drama mama. And I can say that because she is, unfortunately, exactly like me. She may look more like my husband, but her inside wiring is all me. So here is an example of a conversation that we had. Mind you we probably have at least three of these a day.

G: "Do you have that thing from yesterday?"
Mom: "What thing?"
G: "You know the thing that I was holding in my hand yesterday."
Mom: "Gab help me out a little. Is this a book, stuffed animal, what??"
G: "Ugh you know what I'm talking about!"
Mom: "I really don't. You held a million things yesterday."

I will spare you the rest. This usually goes on another 10 minutes or so, the voices get louder, the patience levels diminish, and it usually ends in two people being somewhat unsatisfied and angry. The problem is that sometimes I really do know exactly what she is talking about. So she expects the mind reading skills to be working 100% of the time. And I in turn expect her to know what I'm talking about.

I am the first to admit that I am the worst person to help her out of a spiral of confusion. But I am also the one that understands her. I am her. I made her. And in all the shuffle, my husband's calm and rational genes just flushed right out. She is passionate and loving and someone you will definitely want to room with in college. Gab has all the traits I love in myself and the ones I hate. She is a reminder of what I need to change and work on.

So if we survive her growing up (which we will) I know that we will be the best of friends. It's wonderful when you find someone that is just like you. It's like talking to yourself, but someone actually answers. But wrestling with yourself on a daily basis is the hardest part. However, if we can help each other through our character flaws and both grow up to be better people, how awesome we will be.