Truth be told, for someone who had her "stuff" at least fairly organized and put together, adapting to this new normal has been a little tough. Before, I didn't merely multi-task. I multi-multi-tasked. There was my freelance writing and editing career, charity work, involvement in Boo's preschool, time with friends, family get-togethers, workouts, house upkeep, and planning family adventures. My friends thought I was crazy to take on all that I did.
Clearly, things have changed. Post-it notes are piled seven-deep on my desk with reminders of things I need to get accomplished. For someone who never let her to-do list get the better of her, I've been most thoroughly beaten. The priorities have shifted. Twins aren't double the work--they're more like triple the load (and on tough days, even more than that). Constant feedings, diaper changes, messes to be cleaned and laundry to be handled. Often, the boys decide not to nap at the same time. Conor has physical therapy several times a month to help stretch and strengthen his poor neck, which got cramped up in the womb.
And this doesn't touch upon what needs to be done to keep up with Boo now that she's a big kindergartener! Homework, lunches, reading time, school functions planned for and attended, gymnastics, Daisies, and Tae Kwan Do.
In the meantime, articles are due, the dog needs her shots, I have letters to write, family portraits to coordinate, doctor's appointments to make. In anticipation for the holidays, I'm trying to carefully plan ahead, shop sales online and hope for the best.
There are days when it's all a bit much, honestly. (I should be stealing a few minutes sleep instead of updating here. I've been going since 5:30 this morning and won't fall exhausted onto my pillow until 11.) I've become one of those crazy moms, spread a bit too thin at times. But I try to pause a few times a day and recognize how quickly this time is passing. The boys are 5 months now--such a fun, engaging time. All this, even the ugly, messy parts are a blessing. We worked dang hard to get here. And I try to capture moments like these amidst the chaos (Boo the zookeeper and her animals):
2 comments:
Katherine,
I don't particularly imagine you'll ever see this, given that it appears your last update was more than 1 year ago.
That said, in the event you do occasionally check in to this particular sector of the Intartubes, I just wanted to stop by and say hello.
Best wishes to you and your family, lovely children all, Joe, and everyone else you encompass in your thoughts.
I can't imagine the dramatic and luminous expanse your life has become relative to days of yore at a paltry desk in Hammacher Schlemmer listening to the particular buffoon who sat in front of you, but I hope this finds you occasionally stunned by beauty and occasionally moved by an awareness of the ways your life intersects others.
As for myself, I remain mired in the vainest misadventure of trying to earn a Ph.D., and the attendant misery therein. I remain a writer, for better *and* for worse. I remain yearning for Chicago with passion and sentiment and nostalgia and no small amount of unrealistic romance.
I would have you know that it still — STILL, to this DAY! — remains magnetized to my refrigerator: "Nothing is worth more than this day." -Goethe
Your gift of those words is as valuable as the words themselves.
All the best wishes to you and yours, with hopes this finds you well.
Take care,
Robert, who is no one, and whom you met once.
Robert!! It's so fantastic to hear from you! Are you still in the southwest? (Occasionally I make my way to Santa Fe. If you're nearby, we should try to grab dinner!) I hope the Ph.D. is coming along well and that you are enjoying life.
Life has been frantic, so much so that this blog has long been abandoned. The boys and Becca keep me incredibly busy and I still freelance. How I wish you were on social media--you could catch views of my chaos there. ;)
Wishing you the best in all that you do--and that you value each day above all others, always.
All my best,
K
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