One of the things I find challenging about this mommy gig is that there's no one here during the day to say, "Good job, Shokufeh. I like the way you handled that diaper breach. No one captures those animal sounds the way you do. Awesome comforting of MrMan when he was frustrated about not being able to climb up on that chair. Your child is a tribute to your mad parenting skills...."
There's also the issue of reaching the end of the day and feeling like, "What just happened? Where did the time go? How did all these dishes pile up in the sink, and who carpeted the floor with toys and books? Didn't I have a to-do list? What have I accomplished?"
I will tackle both of these issues, at least for today, right now.
Shokufeh, you performed a great service today, to everyone in the house, by cutting MrMan's nails. All twenty of them, baby! No more scratches on our faces for a good 48 hours. It bordered on sheer genius to employ the television as a distractor. And it was PBS, so it probably boosted his IQ a few points. Yay, you, for accomplishing something you haven't been able to do in one sitting for at least two months.
Good job Shokufeh! I'm particularly impressed that you were able to cut all his nails and blog in one day.
Posted by: Jennifer at January 8, 2007 09:54 PMFinally, someone who understands that baby-manicuring is an all-day job. Why didn't I think of using the TV as a distraction--that IS genius!
Posted by: Arin at January 9, 2007 12:06 AMYou do a great job! We all need to be reminded to tell moms what great work they do. Mothering is a tough job!
Posted by: bethanie at January 9, 2007 06:28 PMThis is a GREAT point! Who notices those mothering details?? And that end of the day tornado whirlwind feeling... when you think you should be relaxing but are then hit with the reality of all there is left to do. Sometimes I feel like a parade should be marching down the street when I've had a productive day. (The last and only day that's happened was when both kids were in school.)
Hats off to getting finger and toes trimmed -- in one sitting! This absolutely ranks up there with minor miracle. And by the way -- what a fabulously well-behaved little guy you had in Whole Foods on Saturday! No whining, no backtalk, no squirming. A total reflection of wonderful mothering!
Posted by: Holly at January 9, 2007 08:51 PMSorry, sweetheart. I guess I'd forgotten what those days were like. You do a great job mothering. MrMan is really lucky to have you for a mom.
Posted by: teri-mom at January 11, 2007 11:13 PMTwenty! Wow count me impressed. I still can only do ten at one sitting.
Don't worry, you will get your props. It's in the little things, like a smile from a lady in a crowded store because your child said excuse me while the one before him just plowed through, or an "I love you" from your child just because. Just wait and see. You will. They're slight so watch for them and you'll see.
Posted by: Elaine at January 12, 2007 01:33 PMI think the closest I ever got to a compliment like that was when Ani said my daughter and I were just like "The Gilmore Girls." You've got mad parenting skills Shokufeh!
Posted by: Linda at January 12, 2007 05:03 PM