By the time I had adjusted my book and my favorite candy just so, taken a picture, readjusted the book, taken a few more pictures, uploaded to Instagram, played with a filter, posted to Instagram and Facebook... both children were begging for attention. Nap time - "Me Time" - was over. Already. Before I had a chance to indulge in some sugar and fiction. I felt that irony then, and find it more amusing now. It's not even a great picture.
That was nearly two months ago.
Now, with a two month old and an almost two year old, I feel like I'm constantly CONSTANTLY constantly running. Running behind Daphne trying to grab the remote from her before she screws up all our settings (which has happened twice, and takes almost an hour to reconfigure). Running over to Charles in his bouncy seat, who has had an enormous diaper blow out that has - impressively - gotten into his hair (that happened this morning, no lie). Running to take a sock from Bilbo before he bolts under the bed to rip it to shreds (happens all the time, and frankly I've quite given up on chasing him on this one).
I truly think this season of my life is a perpetual enactment of the chicken-fox-grain puzzle. You know the one. I think we learned it in 7th grade math class. You have to get all three items across the river in one small boat without the chicken being eaten by the fox, or the grain being eaten by the chicken. Naturally, you can't take them all over at once, so you've gotta make a few well-planned trips. That's my life. Keeping Daph away from the baby. Keeping Bilbo from growling at Daphne near his food. Keeping everyone occupied and relatively content while I manage to get just one thing done off my list for the day. It's a puzzle. It's like a really complex and exhausting riddle. That lasts all day, and never ever ends.
So, when I finally get a chance to sit down and have a moment (just a moment!) to myself when both of the children are napping, and Bilbo is quietly laying at my feet... why on earth would I waste those minutes taking a picture of what I'd like to be enjoying?
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