Just Being Mom

It’s hard to be a mom, sometimes.  So many demands.  So many places where I fall short, so many things I could do better, so many things to do.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing enough, doing everything I can.  And then, sometimes I realize that I really don’t need to “do” much at all – that just being “mom” is plenty.

The last few days have looked a lot like this:

Sick little baby, sleeping on Mama.

On Monday, Claire started getting sick (what else is new…??) and by dinner time, had a fever of 103.

The last few days, she’s spent most of her time sleeping or fussing.  Not sleeping or fussing on her own, mind you.  Sleeping or fussing on me.

In times like this, only Mama will do.  She yells “NO!” and shakes her head when her dad tries to pick her up.  She refuses to be put down.  She sits on my hip while I make a glass of tea, lounges across my lap while we watch Sesame Street, and clings to me as we check the mail.

She’s become my newest appendage.

Today, despite an extra nap (she’s napping on me as I write this, actually), I see signs of my independent toddler reemerging.  She asked to color.  She ate a few bites of ice cream.  She let Daddy take her outside, even.

It’s so hard when they’re sick.  So easy to get grumpy and just wish I could put her down, already. But we’ve been sick so often lately, I’ve got this down.  In another day or so, she’ll be back to her normal, trouble-making self.  I’ll be able to put her down for a nap again.  I’ll be able to go outside and wear real clothes (yoga pants for the last three days, HOLLA!).

In the meantime, I’ll do all I can to keep her comfy.  Because sometimes the only thing that will do is Mama.  And Mama, I can be.