MOTHERHOOD: 103

​On this journey through life and motherhood, we all encounter people that help us feel better about our triumphs and failures. People who let you know it’s completely normal not know what to do in every situation and individuals you can share stories with and laugh about parenting experiences. I know I share my opinions, thoughts, accomplishments, and obstacles through my blog. This time I enlisted one of my friends who makes parenting look simple and who also happens to be hilarious. This post will be entertaining!

​Thank God for the flashlight feature on the iPhone because had it not been for that and my eyebrow tweezers I would not have been able to save my two-year-old from potentially snorting two earbuds up his nose. Yes. Earbuds! "Mommy my nose!", He screams, but my two year old has ALWAYS been overdramatic, so I assumed perhaps he had a booger or something he felt required my attention. Of course, I panicked. Who wouldn't? I told myself to remain calm as I held my child horizontally across my chest hoping he wouldn't sniff too hard, causing the earbuds to move further up his nose. 

Charlie Purdie

"Today I am a surgeon," I told myself, and soon enough I was able to pry those little suckers out of his nose. Day accomplished. This is something I have been telling myself every day after becoming a mother; another day achieved. 
Parenting does not come with an owner's manual. It does not come with instructions or any how-to videos on YouTube that can quickly help you get through it. You just, get through it. When I had my first son, Major, I felt like this parenting gig was a piece of cake. Calm baby ate his food, played great by himself, fantastic! I could do this! I could have more of these little humans with NO problem. That all came to an end when Major turned 3, and I gave birth to my second son, Harlem. I understand that each child is different. However, the difference between my two boys was drastic! Harlem. Ohhhhh Harlem. Not only did he test my patience, but he also motivated Major, my once calm and relaxed child, to test my patience as well.. The cutesy parenting gig had indeed come to an end. 
Despite how many articles out of parenting magazines or insight I received from other parents, I felt that I just could not get it. There is something new every day! I recall a time where I was going through so many things. Major at the time was beginning to potty train, and every parent understands how exciting this is. No more diapers! Saving money! Whoo Hoo! However, potty training was a nightmare. After accomplishing peeing in the toilet, I was so sure that the next step would be a breeze. "Don't poo on yourself! Poop does not go in your undies ok?", I would tell him. Well, I shouldn't have been so vague. I recall a time when Major was 3 and Harlem had just begun crawling. The kids were quiet, too quiet. I went into their room to find that Major had taken poop from his underwear and smeared it all over the walls in his room, AND the baby. I could have died. Here I am, standing in shock as my three-year-old paints his wall with poop. I prayed to every God imaginable that day I swear I did. After that day I found myself running into all types of situations involving Major and poop. Hidden poop in toys, shoes, Harlem covered in it. I was going through so much! 
Be mindful; I am a complete single mother. I have to be alert at ALL times. I have two small boys who are now mobile. Moms don't get days off and that's the reality of Mom Life. There were days where I wanted to sleep in and I just couldn't. Imagine closing your eyes for 15 minutes. Oh, how grateful I was for that short amount of time. However, I woke up to a baby covered in paint. I prayed to the Gods again. Toddler tantrums, a kid locked in the bathroom, poop-explosion in the back of my car, you name it, and I PROMISE you I have been through it all with these two boys.
Harlem is now two and Major is now five, and I promise you things have not gotten better regarding the tiny terrors but I do know this, these little people love me. They love me more than anyone and anything. After countless nights of 'Bubble Guppies' and 'Paw Patrol' in addition to the days where I have to drop dead on sight when my two years old shoots me with his toy gun, or the many owies I have to heal with a kiss, I love being a mom. Motherhood strengthens you and builds character. Being a mother is a tough job and anyone with children reading this should pat themselves on the back because Lord knows if it wasn't for prayer and wine, lots of wine, I don't know how I would have made it this far. We have our days. Good and bad. I will say that we are past the crappy days and that's a blessing, but I'm doing this mom thing and I'm doing it well.