mom brain

Lots of random things are going through my head today.  I feel like post ideas pop into my brain constantly, but then sometimes when I actually sit down to write … my brain is sort of all over the place.  Some people call it “mom brain” — well whatever it is, I have it.  And I have had it for years.  It has evidenced itself in all sorts of great ways over the years.  Like the time I drove away with my cell phone on the roof of the car.  Thankfully it was still there miles later.  Or the time I drove away with my husband’s set of keys on the roof of the car.  Never found those.  I almost drove away today with my white chocolate soy mocha on the roof of the car.  That would have made me very sad.  Are you noticing the trend?  I like to put things on the roof of my car.  Usually when we are getting into the car I am carrying a baby, buckling a big kid in his booster seat, holding my bag plus the kids’ school bags, etc. so if I find I need an extra hand something will conveniently be placed on the roof of the car without me really noticing.

Most of my “mom brain” issues stem from just that – trying to multi-task and as a result doing some things sort of mindlessly.  I just am so focused on one or two things that the three or four other things I am doing simultaneously sort of either don’t get done very well or maybe even not really at all.  It is a bad habit and definitely something I want – ok, NEED – to work on.

Lately my little one year old is making sure I work on it.  He is keeping me on my toes and forcing me to stay alert.  He is quick and he is daring.  It amazes me how this little guy can lighten my spirits and remind me to relax and be mellow with the same intensity and just as quickly as his actions remind me to be ever-alert and careful.  He is a busy, curious and determined little guy who wants to be a part of (or really the main attraction of) everything that is happening around him.

I cannot go shopping at Target or the grocery store with him because he will not sit in the cart (yes he has figured out how to climb out even when buckled in as tightly as possible) and he will not ride in the Ergo either.  The good thing about this is that every time I step into these stores I’m forced to focus on what I actually NEED to buy and get in and out as quickly as possible…so he is saving me from over spending (especially at Target).  I know his Dad is extra thankful for that one.

In the past week I have caught him climbing inside the fridge (you have seen pictures of this before!), figuring his way inside a cabinet where we keep pots, pans and the toaster:

Standing in the dishwasher as I try to empty it during the chaos of our morning routine:

Climbing into his toy box in the family room as I vaccuum:

And, most terrifying of all – trying to climb up the oven:

I think it’s safe to say that Mister Gus is teaching his Mommy A LOT these days.