Busy does not equal mothering success...

I just wrote a different post about Mummy to Mummy socialising, I talked about support feeling like critique between Mums and how support can turn into interfering. But I lost my line of thought and it became uninteresting because today my thoughts are far too linear to discuss anything as intricate as women's social interactions when vulnerable.

Today marks the end of an ENTIRE week at home. With the exception of a trip to the supermarket, an hour at the local community centre and a couple of strolls we have dwelled between these fours walls.

The biggest surprise is that it feels really nice.

Since baby girl was born I always saw some kind of imaginary prize going for the most active Mum. A full calendar has been a badge of mothering success. The self asserted pressure to stimulate, stimulate, STIMULATE  has weighed really heavily. In her early days I saw baby girl changing so rapidly it fuelled some kind of extreme crazed urgency to "MAKE THE MOST OF IT" and for the love of Crunchies "ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!"

By comparison this week we were held hostage at home by a nasty cough and cold. This week has been about routine, comfy clothes, long naps, cuddles, cooking, socks, fabric softener smells...

I feel slower. Everything is streamlined. I do breakfast, then she naps, then I drink tea, then I get dressed... etc As opposed to; I'm going to give her breakfast whilst I prep dinner, order online shopping and text my Dad, then I HAVE to keep her awake to she'll nap in the car on the way to Becky's so she'll be ok to play with Lola whilst I...

I've got my stuff together. My house is in order, the washing is done. I don't have five unanswered texts  and I have sorted my car insurance.

Best part? I am looking forward to the weekend more than ever. I am energised to spend time with the husband rather than "thank God you're home I thought I'd NEVER get back up, quick hold the baby whilst I try and do everything that's been bugging me all week at light speed". And I would normally start 8 jobs at once, make a mess, get overwhelmed and blame him for the whole ordeal. (Poor Steve, but don't tell him, it'll RUIN my reputation and I'll probably want to revert to my old ways without having my own blog quoted at me.)

Lessons:

1. Being busy is not a mark of mothering success. 
2. I need to spend more time at home and the coming cold weather makes for a great excuse for that. 
3. Streamline your actives and thoughts. 
4. Living for the weekend means reserving enough energy to enjoy the weekend.

Playing Mumma Nurse...

Baby girl has a cold. This means a lot of indoor time. A lot of cuddles. A lot of "rod-for-my-own-back-making" naps on my lap. Blocked up and off her food has meant a glimpse back to her newborn days of endless breastfeeding sessions.

In short, this week, I've got down time.

Notes (lessons) on her first proper "illness":

i. It must be AWFUL to have a cold and not be able to blow your nose. AWFUL!

ii. Euna resembles a ferret having it's teeth brushed when you try and wipe her nose. She HATES it.

iii. I now get why my Dad used to always say "I wish I could have it for you". At the time I thought "IDIOT! He MUST be lying, no sane person would inflict this upon themselves voluntarily!!" Turns out you would for your kids. Ten fold.

iv. Nothing works. Not really. Not significantly. The only thing capsules, drops, rubs, oils, nasal sprays and syrups achieve is making you feel like you've done something.

v. Calpol is STILL yummy at 28. Is there a Mum out there who can HONESTLY say they don't lick the spoon after administering a dose?

So in attempt to escape total cabin fever we've tried (in vain) to blow these germs away with cool, crisp Novemeber air... Winter is coming...

OH! But BLUE skies...

Leaves falling...

Leaves fallen...

Walking...

Twigs...

 Self-portraits... Of course this was the ONLY one I took... Didn't take about 60 pictures of the floor in the process... Honest...

Silly...

My snot-bot...

Winter sun is my FAVOURITE...

 NEEEEOOOOOWWWWWNNNN...

Back in the warm...