Taking a Deep Breath

Over the past few weeks as I have desperately tried to balance being a mom and a normal human being, I have frequently found myself rushing around from one task to another. While trying to accomplish one thing so it can be checked off my "to-do" list, I will be mentally compiling additional items that need to be done. "Okay, if I can just finish washing these dishes, then I can get to the ironing. Once I'm done with ironing - if I hurry - I can organize the books and magazines I need to read. Oh, shoot, I still have thank-you notes to write. I better do those first...wait, I still need to finish washing dishes!" And so on, and so on. I'm sure most parents can relate to this mental speed race.

Some days I just wear myself out trying to get everything done. Then, I stop and think, "In the whole scheme of my life does it really matter if my stovetop does not get sparkling clean for one night?" NO, it does not! I won't remember whether I cleaned the stove on Sunday in two days - much less a year. So, in light of the New Year/Fresh Start feeling of January, I'm telling myself to STOP, take a deep breath, put down the pile of clothes that need to be washed, and just enjoy this small window of time that I have with my baby. Right now he lets me hold him as long as I want to. 99.9% of the time I can fix any of his angst (when he's not hungry and wearing a wet diaper) by sitting and holding him for ten minutes. Does life get any better than that? Not only do I have the privilege of holding a precious baby and looking into his sweet little face, but I also get to stop the chaos in my mind and be "held" by him. Suddenly everything else doesn't seem quite as important!