Perfection

As the end of this pregnancy draws near, I am fighting through exhaustion and heartburn and indigestion and aches (You know all the yucky stuff that isn't the end of the world but just makes you feel "ugh" day in and day out but you feel bad complaining about because you are being blessed with such an amazing gift? Yeah...that stuff.) to be the Mommy I want to be to my girls. My patience is a little shorter. My energy is a lot less, and my motivation comes in brief spurts. It is days like this that I have to remind myself that it isn't being the picture perfect Mommy every second of every day that matters, it is the big picture that counts. It is making memories that will last a lifetime. It is choosing our words and, more importantly, our tone of voice carefully. It is just being there, even if "there" includes an exhausted, lazy, snuggle up and watch movies kind of day.

With Pinterest and Facebook and a multitude of other influences, we have put extremely unattainable expectations on ourselves. I get down about not making that cool holiday craft or baking those adorable treats for every occasion or decorating their room like it could be in a magazine. Sometimes I just need a reminder that it is so much more simple than that. Sometimes in my attempt to do it all, I lose focus on what I should be focused on. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has lost my temper while making an adorable craft/cookie/thing and totally took over to try to do it "right". Maybe I am, but I'll pretend I'm not so I don't feel so bad, mkay? I'm not saying we don't have lots of great moments where we make great memories and do cool things and everyone has a good time. I just know that I sometimes stress about the wrong things or push too hard to "do it all."

It is in these times that a day of snuggling and just relaxing together helps me refocus and energizes me in my parenting. I'm convinced a lot of this kind of bonding is way more important than a cute painting to hang on the wall or an adorable, perfectly decorated cupcake to gobble up. I'm reminded that just being there is all they need.

So as I muddle through the exhaustion that comes with pregnancy and a new baby, I'm going to try to remember to slow down and focus on the important things...like snuggling as we sleep in, reading books and watching movies in our jammies all day, giving lots of hugs and kisses, playing a game or two, actually listening to them and choosing my words wisely. I'm going to spend a lot less time worried about what I could be doing to make their childhood perfect and just be the mom I am.

Because in their eyes, I'm pretty perfect...