My Job

I spend every morning sandwiched in between two sleeping boys. For now, only one of them uses me as a punching bag pillow, but soon they both will be digging arms, knees, feet, and heads into my stomach and back.

I can't wait. :)

That isn't sarcasm, I honestly love waking up to find our eldest has made his way into our king size bed. And then the younger one begins to whimper from his crib, so either me or the hubby will rewrap his swaddle.  Then I'll put him to my breast, and we all (usually) go back to sleep.

This morning, as Patrick was leaving, he placed Clarence in my arms and leaned in to kiss me.

"I feel like your job is so much harder than mine. I hate leaving you."

That got me to thinking - this is My Job.

I grew up thinking I would be that career driven woman with power suits, business lunches, and high heels that could put your eye out. With the birth of my first child, that image changed forever for me.

But my thought was, I'm giving up jobs and career. In truth, I had been hired by an age old profession. One where the boss (or bosses) are small but demanding. Where breaks are few and far between, as is the ability to pee, eat, or drink in peace. One where the work day lasts 24 hours.

But one where the joys outweigh the difficulties.

Last week, Clarence hit his six week growth spurt and refused to nap. So with his constant need to nurse, Waylon didn't nap. By Friday, I was exhausted and spent. Patrick even left work early that day because I could no longer hold it together.

But even in that exhaustion and frustration, I felt happy. And I felt pretty accomplished that both boys had clean diapers and clothes on and food in their bellies.

Just as with any job, there will be hard days and easy days. But as with a career you love, all the days are worth it.

That Friday night, we also went on our first date since Clarence was born. Clarence came along, since I'm exclusively breastfeeding for now. I was still on duty as he was fussy and wanting to nurse all through dinner. Patrick apologized over and over, but I kept telling him I really didn't mind.  But "date night" really has changed!


I still get frustrated. Sometimes I want to quit. Sometimes I feel like the mother cat in a video I saw. She would carry one kitten up the slide as the other fell down. Over and over and over...


  And in those moments, God gets me through. Praying to Him eases the frustration and makes me enjoy the smiles on my boys' faces.  Without God, I don't think I could do it. I know I couldn't do it.  But with Him, I get to wake up every day sandwiched between my loves and try to be the best mom I can be.

I love my job.