Wednesday 11:30 pm - Bedtime, after making my lunch and Em's for the next day, unloading the dishwasher, feeding cats and dog and watching top chef with the dog in my lap. I feel guuilty. He didn't get a walk because Meg was asleep before Em, and i didn't want to leave Em alone with only someone sleeping two floors down.
Thursday 12:30 am Cat wants outside. Cat paws frantically at the baby gate that still blocks the top of the stairs. He starts off quietly, and if I don't move fast enough, he gets louder and louder.
12:35 Anna lets the cat out.
12:45 Sleep. Again.
1:45 Meg's boyfriend leaves for work. He works crazy shifts. He slams the door on his way out.
1:50 Thank goddess Em is still asleep.
1:55 Small voice in the hallway. "Mom. Turn off your alarm." Em hates my alarm clock with a passion. It literally keeps her up at night. I need something loud enough to get me out of bed at 5:30. She needs something quiet and unobtrusive, because loud noises bother her. Enough to wake her out of a sound sleep and get her worrying about the next day.
1:56 Em and I are cuddled in the rocking chair, so that she can settle down again.
2:00 "Mom! Mom! I have to pee!" Not from the five year old in my lap, but the almost- nineteen year old on crutches who sleeps in the basement. She doesn't climb the stairs by herself.
2:10 Oldest child back to bed.
2:11 I am back upstairs. Emily is waiting for me in the hallway. She is wide awake.
2:12 Back to the rocker.
2:15 Em has to pee.
2:20 Snowplow is clearing the sidewalk across the road. "Mom, that's too noisy. it's keeping me up.'
2:30 Now we're trying to sleep in my bed.
2:50 Em has kicked all the covers off because she's too hot. And now I'm cold. She's wide awake. "Are you sure the alarm's off, mom?"
3:00 Back to the rocker.
3:10 I'm in the rocker and Em's in bed, staring at me. Not sleeping.
3:15 "Mom, I'm sick. I can't go to school tomorrow."
3:20 "Mom, when are we getting a Christmas Tree?"
3:25 The parking lot at Tim Horton's (for my US readers, best darn coffee ever, across from my house, too much light and noise in the middle of the night) is being cleared of snow. Scrape of blade on bare pavement. That darn beeping every time the plow reverses. Emily is lying in her bed quietly, with her eyes screwed shut. I have only asked her to try to sleep about twenty-five times at this point.
3:30 Back to my bed, alone. I've asked Emily to just lie down quietly if she can't sleep.
3:40 "Mom. I can't sleep. Did you turn the alarm off?"
3:41 "You know what, Em. I think it's time for mom to buy a new alarm clock."
3:42 Her feet are in the small of my back and she's got the covers all twisted around.
3:50 Deep, regular breathing from the other side of the bed. Finally.
3:55 ZZZZZZZZZ
5:25 One eye open. I shut the alarm off before it rings. I'll let Em sleep and get her things ready (it's a school day today).
6:10 I really wake up. I need to leave for work in 30 short minutes.
6:11 I roll out of bed, jump into my clothes, pay absolutely no attention to what I am wearing.
6:12 Bathroom.
6:13 Put library book in Em's backpack. Put lunch in backpack.
6:14 Throw something in my own backpack for supper. Staff meeting tonight and pizza for the rest of the staff. I don't eat pizza, and don't want to be a party pooper so I bring my own.
6:15 Em's clothes laid out ready to put on. Meg can supervise but not assist.
6:18 Cat is scratching at the window.
6:19 Feed cats. Let the dog out.
6:20 Get Em's breakfast ready. Always the same - corn flakes with brown sugar, toast with strawberry jam, and fruit.
6:25 Descend to the basement to rouse and assist eldest daughter.
6:30 Get Meg's breakfast.
6:35 Someone is wailing at the top of the stairs.
6:36 Em comes to terms with my departure and sits at the table to eat breakfast.
6:37 Megan needs water.
6:38 Where the hell are my car keys? My mittens?
6:39 kiss the girls goodbye
6:40 Thank goddess it didn't snow much. I don't have to brush off the car.
6:42 Tim's. Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, and two extra large coffees with double cream. One for now, one for my break at work. I take the top half of the english muffin off and throw it away. I have no time to make breakfast, and I need to eat.
6:45 On the road to work, to be there by 7:15.
I'm tired today. Any questions?
3 comments:
Wow. All I can say is...wow.
I don't know how you do it. You and every other person who has the guts to become a parent, have my utmost respect and awe!
Things are a lot easier these days, but sometimes the juggling - the need for sleep - the need for some little bit of peace - became unbearable. But, I'd never ever had traded it. Here's hoping for easier days ahead.
Nope, no questions at all. You have successfully communicated a typical crazy morning in the life of a mom. I hope tomorrow is more relaxing for you!
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