Hopefully

I took the phone call. It was the fifth of the morning. Six spreadsheets were open. 43 e-mails returned. I was making strides with the work day and it was only 11am. I tried a new strategy when it was time to feed Cody again – turn off my phone, walk away from the computer, and read books to R&R while nursing rather than checking e-mails with my thumbs. It was successful! Relaxing even. Then I smelled the pee. I sniffed every rump including the dog. Couldn’t find the source. Distraction won and I forgot the thought. Lunch, more work and then it was nap time. Trying to time naps with three kids of varying ages is like trying to catch a group of lizards in your house. Ask my friend Martha, she knows.

Another call came in. I decided to multitask like any seasoned mother would do. Propping the phone to my ear and trying my best to sound professional while tossing the two year old onto the changing table with Cody crawling underfoot. I flipped her dress up only to reveal no diaper at all. Lord have mercy, how long has that been missing?

I continued to maintain composure as the call took a serious turn. I stepped back from the changing table only to step in a pool of spit up and breakup a fight between the others who had grabbed the same toy. I rushed to my bedroom, locking the door behind, in hope I played off the bickering while still coherently listening to the coworker rambling on the line. Tiny fists pounded the door beckoning, screaming, pleading for my return. The phone call finally ended.

Naps. Right. Naps. Work day is over, well past. I tried to throw off the work hat and permanently straighten the mother hat that has been crooked to the side all morning. We read a few more books – more for my sanity and composure than theirs. Successful. I got two in bed and timing was off to allow for the third. I began to feed again. Hoping I had enough to give since the cup of coffee and water I prepared at 7am was more than half full still. Wait, nope, the water was, but the coffee was dumped at lunch time – Rory, down her shirt, onto her brother’s head and the cup rolled somewhere… I reminded myself carpet isn’t that big of a deal and it is a coffee color anyways. I made a mental note to Resolve that spot.

Finally, my muscles relaxed from the morning and early afternoon chaos. Cody fell asleep in my arms. I gave in to his quiet breathing and began to doze myself. Dinner preparation can wait, right? Bam! Then I remembered, if she was naked then where is that diaper? Hopefully she put it in the diaper genie or even the trashcan. I still smelled pee. I smelled the couch cushion beside me – drenched. I made a mental note to Resolve that spot too.

I decided to put Cody to bed and get dinner going. I peaked into Rory’s room and find her asleep with a book on her chest. “What to Expect When Expecting”… should I be concerned? I don’t have the energy. Frankly, it made me laugh.

Dinner was made and served. Daddy was met and fun was had. Three hours passed since they were put to bed for the evening and I checked on them to be sure covers were still covering their jammied bodies. Rory was missing from her bed. I checked the boys room only to find her nestled in the crook of Ryder’s neck. Scooping her back into her bed a few hours later I find another book under her pillow – my Bible. I smile. Her day was productive too. I suppose it is true that children will not necessarily do what you say, but they will surely do what you do.

I climbed into bed exhausted from the day. Nearly dozing off with the dog at my feet. BAM! My mind races, the diaper, where is that diaper? Hopefully it’ll surface soon…