The "Up" Phase of Motherhood

I chucked the suits, business meetings, pay raises and titles and had one baby and then another. The other day as I wiped the crumbs off the counter, changed yet another diaper and took a look at my house-that just an hour before was as near "straight" as it could get...it hit me.

No, I wasn't in the twilight zone-I had entered the "up" phase. The words as my daughters are 2 and 4, that best describe this are clean up, wipe up, throw up, pick up, tidy up, put up, hurry up, strighten up, wash up and get up--and sometimes give up. If I am not doing or assisting with one of these at any given time, either the kids have run away or I have entered another world-and we're not talking about the twilight zone. If you are a Mom, you know what I am talking about! Perpetual motion, non-stop, non-thrilling-but must do actions! The kind that makes your eyes heavy and ears shut down at 8pm!

Now, in my prior career life I managed quite a number of people, but a flock of 22 just can't compare to the likes of the baby and toddler years. Back then, complete with cell phone and pager I could handle about anything or anyone...and now in the midst of joyful chaos and the up phase...my husband giggled when I incorrectly spelled cat "turd" (terd) in a recent e-mail(and you don't want to know what that was all about!) What has happened? I and many Moms before me have been turned "upside down"! I am mixed-up...

I chuckle, I laugh and I cry.
I have worn a shirt inside out for an entire day. (Did my friends think I planned it?)
I have mistaken mascara for lip gloss. (Pink is better!)
I have worn 2 different shoes-and was proud. (It's great to be noticed!)
I have diligently tried to unlock someone else's car--it looked like mine.
I have showed up for my daughter's school on a school holiday-(short drop off line!)
I have forgotten food for a school party! (Oh no! Would the home room Moms forgive me?)
I forgot one school party and a year later my daughter still remembers it! (Does she remember the 25 that I have attended?)
I have gone places looking like I said I never, ever would! (More compliments when I dress up-right?)
I dial a number, forget who I was calling and when they answer--am startled for a moment - and so are they when I ask who I am calling! (Afterall, I called them!)
And the list goes on...

I am in the up phase and my life is upside down...it is joyful, frustrating, fun, challenging, maddening, boring, exciting, scary and amazing...and when my 4 year old runs over for no reason and says "I love you Mom" (and asks for nothing) it is uplifting and makes all the joyful chaos worth it all...

Here's to all the Moms! Keep it "up"!

Lisa