Overwhelmed.

So, today was just one of those days.  Actually, this WEEK is just one of those days...er, weeks.  I picked up a lot of extra hours at work this week, which is a mixed blessing-good because we have some additional expenses this month, and not so good because I've hardly seen my husband since Sunday, and I'm completely exhausted.  Not to mention I haven't had any 'me' time (other than exercising), which I value not for selfish reasons, but because it refuels and recharges me. 

Plus, Liam is now very much on the move!  We are so excited for him and it's the greatest thing ever to see him get his motivated 'game face' on right before he charges across the room to get something.  Or more accurately, get INTO something.  So, in a nutshell the past week or so has consisted of me doing the following: working, chasing Liam, cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, chasing Liam, exercising, cleaning, picking up things Liam has scattered, doing laundry, chasing Liam, etc.  You get the picture!  You also notice that things like relaxing, writing blog posts, and watching a movie with Rob weren't in the list. 

I think that, as a stay-at-home-mom (-ish, give or take a 15 hr/wk part time job) it's so very easy to get to the point of becoming overwhelmed.  Maybe even more now than ever before.  Overwhelmed at the thought of all the laundry that's not being done at any given time, overwhelmed at all the areas of the house that aren't orderly and organized, overwhelmed at all the things that still need to be cleaned, overwhelmed thinking about whether or not I am growing spiritually/becoming a better wife and mom, and overwhelmed at the thought of whether or not the baby/children are getting the right attention/discipline/stimulation/guidance/nutrition/nap time.  Yeeesh.

Maybe the biggest thing I've learned so far in my 9 short months of being a mom is to just (cliche alert) take things one day at a time, and not let myself get wrapped up in yesterday or tomorrow.  That's really, REALLY hard to do.  But at least I can now recognize when I need to step back and assess the situation and realize that, in fact, the house is not a pig sty (even thought there may be clutter or a week's worth of dust lying about), and though my kid might be screaming he in fact is a happy baby who has all his needs met, and though there's perpetually at least one load of dirty laundry we still have clean clothes in the drawers and towels in the closet. 

I've learned to be satisfied (most days) with accomplishing just one or two things, even though my list usually has at least a half dozen more to be done.  And even if I don't get one or two things done, I'm still ALWAYS thankful to be spending my time with my precious little boy.  And in the long run, that is far more important than fretting about the dust collecting on the mantle.  :)

I'm tired...dinner menu tomorrow!