June 10, 2011

How I Am Getting Things Done . . .

He’s arrived.  You know, to that place where he wants us to be side by side all the time.

“Momma, train!” {As in come build one} 

“Momma, bunny! {As in let’s go see the}

“Momma, see me! {As in come check me out}

“Momma, hold you! {As in pick me up}

It’s really endearing.  And it’s also really impossible.  To get things done, that is.  Right now I’m feeling like a 50/50 mom.  Fifty percent of the time I stop everything I’m doing and just be with him enjoying all of his tiny exploring and cuteness.  The other fifty I’m trying to do design work or fold laundry or attend to my church calling or eat so I don’t starve. And he doesn’t like it when I do any of that second fifty percent. 

I try to do as much of it as I can during those fleeting to hours that my boy spends in dreamland midday, but it’s hard to make a dent sometimes. So lately I’ve been getting creative. 

If I need to do the dishes, he gets a wet sponge to wash the floor and cupboards with.  If I’m folding laundry, I toss all the socks to him. If I’m ironing, he commands his own spray bottle.  If I’m watering the plants, he’s doing it too.  And if I’m working in the kitchen he gets to play with his drawer of kitchen tools {hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, etc.} or sits up to the counter and plays with whatever tactile object I put in front of him.

On this particular day it was rice and measuring cups.  We’ve also done ice chips and cookie cutters and dry cereal.  Basically, whatever it takes to keep him happy while I bake or clean or load the dishwasher. It’s messy, but we’re both pretty happy with the arrangement.

And that is how I’m getting things done.

9 comments:

christy said...

I needed this big time since you know I'm in the same boat. The rice is an ingenius idea. Totally going to do it. So fun to watch/ hear about Ollie in all the same stages as Claire.

AmberLee said...

you are so creative. lately I've been resorting to letting mine "wash the dishes," which always ends up in a giant puddle on the floor under the chair he's standing on with sopping wet clothes. i need to diversify.

The Queen Vee said...

Yummm, rice patties.

Apis Melliflora said...

Great idea for those little hands!

Do you have one of those plastic baby pools?

One of those in a shady spot while you're doing yard work or phone calls was another tried and true one here.

squeezeme said...

Sensory "tables" or buckets or bowls are amazing entertainment. Smart momma!

Meaja said...

I love his little hands and how you're making it fun being whittle. Way to be productive mamasita! Muy bien.

MelancholySmile said...

Oy, looks like we're in the same situation! It is quite the 50/50 experience. I half-way love it and am half-way driven insane by it. :)

NovelTeaMommy said...

Ooh, I am so doing this! Times 2!

Emily said...

Such a smart momma!