Monday, September 24, 2007

Early New Year's Resolution

*Random complaint before launching into an unusually complaint-less post*
I am really tired of missing half of church because I have to get up and go sit and nurse in the bathroom. At least they have a couch and pillows in there. But WHY are the speakers which pipe in the sermon never turned ON? That would seem to be the point of their existence...

But I digress. I was going to say that this week my goal is to try to remember something from one of the songs in church on Sunday, which was about God's joy being our strength. My ears perked up at the lyrics, as strength and energy are things which I am chronically lacking these days. So decided to try to savor moments of joy with the kids, instead of just being depressed about how tired I am, and derive energy from that. Moments like when Addy is actually being cooperative and sweet and fun, and moments like today when I gave Eli his first real bath and he LIKED it and didn't cry and was so sweet and round and yummy smelling afterwards.
So far it seems to be working... I had a bit of a setback when Addy decided to cry and throw a fit about her nap, which is very out of character, and then yell and bang around in her room for an hour and a half and keep me awake during the brief window when I could have gotten a nap myself. But I rebounded and moved on.
Besides, how can I be grumpy when I do still have some help, in the form of Beth the Babysitter Extraordinaire, who still comes by Monday mornings for an hour or two, and Friday afternoons for about three hours. These are my Hours Of Sanity, when I can clean the house without interruption, or even (theoretically) sleep, or escape the house and do shopping without diaper bags and carseats and crying. And also there is my mom, who came and took Addy to Kindermusik this morning when I was unable to get myself ready in time to take her (despite the presence of Beth... I know, I know, I'm pathetic.)
And also I really do have a wonderful husband, who helps with kids willingly and gives me chances to escape the house without them. So there. See how grateful and joyful I am? See how I am not complaining about things like ninety degree weather and endless laundry?

6 comments:

Marie Green said...

I struggle so much with the breastfeeding in public thing. On one hand, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. On the other, I just feeding my baby. So usually I am just too lazy and end up staying where I'm at and feeding. HOwever, church is the one place I was never comfortable feeding in. Like you, I would always leave... Until 2 weeks ago, when we got to church a bit early (!) and Marin was fussy and ready to nurse and nap. So I just nursed her, without even realizing that I was doing it. About 5 minutes into it, I was like Holy Moly! I'm sitting here in the pew nursing my baby!

It was weird, how 2nd nature nursing has become- so much that I no longer even think about it! Weird.

Also, I love your idea of finding strength and energy in joy. I'm going to be mulling that one over.

Anonymous said...

Less joy and more complaining pls kthanx.

Also, I recommend NOT housecleaning when the babysitter is there, but instead sitting at your computer with a pint of Dove Give in to Mint (that is like the FOURTH time I have mentioned that ice cream in the last 24 hours) and a bunch of blogs like Screamy Thing (motto: Increase the Mayhem).

ttsc said...

Good luck, keep trying to find the positive things, it sounds like you're doing a good job. I also vote for no cleaning when the babysitter is there at least for a little while, for your sanity.
- I've been busy, sorry I didn't respond to you, I will soon, and I am okay with everything, thank you.

d e v a n said...

Good for you for being positive! But cleaning? No. At least, not unless you enjoy it...
I haven't heard and absorbed a mass in nearly 3 years. *sigh*

Mommy Daisy said...

I second the leaving the service to breastfeed thing. I always felt awkward in that "nursing area" in the bathroom there. Because it wasn't private anyway...people are constantly in and out. Maybe you could go in the nursery and have them put the service on the monitor in there. Just an idea. I know it stinks.

Here is the song you were talking about just in case you wanted to see it again. It popped in my head as soon as you mentioned the lyrics. http://music.yahoo.com/Chris-Tomlin/Holy-Is-The-Lord/lyrics/39634447#lyricstop (Sorry I don't remember how to inbed a link in the comments section.)

It is easy to get caught up in the trying moments of life, and then lose track of the good things. I think it's especially easy to do on a blog. That's an outlet for us, so sometimes it's the complaining that we really need to just get out of our systems. But I love what you are trying to do this week. It's a lovely thing.

Anonymous said...

Ditto what Swistle said. & she's got 5 kids, so she can't be wrong.