Cheers to Me!

Dinner is over, almost time for bed...I am contently snuggling on the couch with Layla and Jack watching a short movie before pajama time when Layla starts complaining of a stomach ache. Almost immediately she vomits her entire dinner all over me and Jack. I am sitting on my lovely new couch wondering what my next move should be--literally. If I stand up, I will spill the puddle on my lap all over my couch and rug and new down throw. Layla is crying and Jack starts playing with the chunks on his arm, so I know I have to make a decision. I pick up both kids and blankets (about 60 lbs total) and, trying to remain in a semi-sitting position, I squat-walk across the rug onto the hardwood floor. I set everyone down and grab the trash can just seconds too late for Layla's next round of puking. At least it is on a cleanable surface this time. I strip everyone down to underwear, clean hands and feet and march the kids upstairs for baths. A half hour later, I have the kids cleaned up, in bed, and I come downstairs to assess the damage. Besides the mess on the hardwood floor, I think I did pretty well. My couch was more or less spared any lasting stains and my rug completely survived. Even my new down throw, after a good spot clean, still looks and smells okay. 

A mother's work is important but rarely acknowledged day to day. Maybe you mothers can relate to the sense of accomplishment as you successfully get a chocolaty finger print out of a favorite shirt, or get all the groceries bags from the car in one trip, or get all your errands done in one outing. I will always feel proud that I carried a vomit covered child in each arm across an entire room, saving the few nice home furnishings I have from puke smells forever. Well done me!