Sunday Scribblings #16

With Baggage

Pack mule. Dairy cow. Mother hen, mama duck. Herding cats. What’s with motherhood of little ones and the farm animal comparisons? They’re mostly self-inflicted, but I get a sheepish feeling when I read all the farm animal books lying around the house to the boys. Brood mare. I forgot that one.

I’m past the brood mare stage, even (almost) the dairy cow stage. I’m definitely hennish, my kids are definitely duckie-like, and I’m “herding cats” much of every day. But most of all, I feel like a bit of a pack mule.

When my now 15-month old twins were tiny, it was often one kid over my shoulder with the other boy in sling or Snugly, walking, and rocking, pacing and jiggling. I’d nurse one boy in the sling while diapering the other one, or make dinner with one boy on my hip and the other in the sling, turning away from the stove for safety and reaching the full length of my arm with my free hand in order to stir the pot.

Now it is any one of a number of combinations. One kid in a backpack with another in the single stroller, a diaper bag and sundry items hanging off of it or off of me like the colorful saddle bags of a fully loaded donkey. Both boys in the double Burley, a dog leash in the other hand, and a diaper bag on my back. Maneuvering the stiff double stroller through the farmer’s market, trying to hold onto a much-needed iced coffee with the other hand. A kid on one hip, diaper bag on my back, a sippy cup and a snack cup in my other hand. Deposit one into his car seat, sprint back into the house for his twin, use the free hand to bring a toy or two for the trip. Doors get opened and closed with my hips, elbows, even a forehead or chin. My ever-bruised ankles buffet the screen doors from slamming, I am watching that the cat doesn’t get out, and that we don’t all go head over heels and tumble down the steps. I am mama, hear me bray.

My hands and arms are almost never empty, but full of children and a rotation of related objects. Despite my aching shoulders, it has begun to feel as familiar and comfortable as breathing.

When the boys are asleep at the end of their day, it is still light out, and many a strollered child and her parents make their way past our house. Often, I notice, this involves 2 parents, one child, and no diaper bag. Ah, but my boys are sleeping now. This involves two free hands, arms that lightly open the door, unencumbered, to step out into the dusky garden and do a little weeding. Perhaps I will just pick a cucumber or some basil and eat it, warm and fresh, right in the backyard, with no preparation at all. Or sit and breathe in the coming night air, with its coolness as welcome as water to a drought, listening to the sounds of puttering neighbors, birds, and televisions blaring companionably through open windows. For an hour or so before twilight, I am a lone wolf, sniffing about in the weeds and flowers like I’m not needed or wanted in anybody's barnyard.

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For more Sunday Scribblings on the same prompt, go here.

Comments

[macboudica]

Don't forget how helpful teeth are in holding objects such as keys or diaper bag starps in a pinch!

[Rob]

Great post in the latest Sunday scribblings and nice blog as well. Your boys are adorable but i am sure you already know that.

BriliantDonkey

[~Kathryn~]

i can remember carting around all my 'baggage' with one bubs - let alone two - but what wonderful baggage to have - enjoy your garden quiet time

[Colorsonmymind]

Nice to find you through Sunday Scribblings.

I have 1 16 month old and this sounds familiar-except I only have one. We are getting ready for retrieval in a few days. We have had a long road of infdertility treatments. I am hoping a little for twins.

[duhhhblond]

"For an hour or so before twilight, I am a lone wolf, sniffing about in the weeds and flowers like I’m not needed or wanted in anybody's barnyard." ..haunts me, in a sadly beautiful way

I raised tots, now teens, by myself, though they weren't twins, and know in a few years things will be so much easier when they can pour their own cereal, put on their own shoes, dress themselves, and climb into their carseats all by themselves.. it really does get easier and better..

and you will have the pride of knowing you did it by yourself..

[bonnie]

Well done! I enjoyed the barnyard metaphors. You must be thoroughly exhausted at the end of the day. Thanks for posting this.

[Aly]

What wonderful baggage to have - your twins are absolutely adorable!

"I get a sheepish feeling when I read all the farm animal books.."

Pun intended? :)

I enjoyed reading this post, thanks!

-Aly