What a six months! I like to recap our journey as Leave it to Mama grows in the setting that all Mamas can relate - pregnancy (see previous Post 13 weeks). We just made 25 weeks and it’s pretty amazing. LeavitittoMama.com has finished fetal development and we are heading to the final trimester. We are working on several new projects and cannot wait to share with our Mama community!

Since beginning our journey, we’ve celebrated our birthdays along with the husbands’ and all 5 kids; in addition to, my sister’s wedding, our grandfather’s 86th birthday and both Mother’s & Father’s day.  I’ve started several home renovations including a home gym, office and toddler room. Painting rooms and repurposing furniture were my summer thrills. Concurrently, my sister had her dream wedding, completed summer school and is heading back to school today along with her four year old. Time sure does fly when you are a MOM.

Terrible Twos

In the midst of my DIY renegade, I’ve spent time with my precious daughter. Her communication skills are growing by leaps and bounds. The best times are those when we have a debate:

Me: Put the toys away.

2: No Mom. I’m playing.

Me: (silence)

2: Thank you for listening, Mom.

I’ve noticed when I pause before speaking, she assumes I’ve been convinced of her ways. How peculiar. Yes, I’m a first time Mama. I find tons of things peculiar, which keeps me on my toes. I use the term ‘on my toes’ in hindsight. In the heat of the battle I’m offended and I find it annoying.

My little girl’s favorite phrases are:

1. You look fabulous.
2. Thank you for listening.
3. Nevermind.
4. Hashtag rude.

The most disturbing being the hashtag statement. I’m certain I’ve said the other phrases- but speaking in hashtags is not a part of my dialogue. Especially, when I know she is recording very syllable!

Each family gathering has turned into another place for the smallest children to battle for their THEIR toys, games or clothing. It’s a struggle. Before we get out of the car, I have to reiterate the rules - no hitting, no pushing and no biting. Last Saturday, they started slapping one another so we added no slapping to the rule book. They love each other so much but once they feel violated there’s no turning back. Luckily, we’ve figured out their patterns and can identify when they need time apart.

Circus Acts

Life as a Mama, wife, auntie, sister and friend definitely has its ups and downs. I struggle to ensure all parties are safe, nurtured and secure; which brought me to the idea that seeking balance may not be the best idea. In the circus, you have a tightrope walker, trapeze artist and juggler. I am most like the juggler – I prefer to have more than one thing to manage. The more unique the item, the easier it is for me to determine a rhythm. I also get a moment to hold each. Balancing on a rope leaves my mind to wander and flying through the air wouldn’t allow my mind to wander enough. SMH.

I’ve noticed other Mamas taking the trapeze and tight rope route. One requires soaring from task to task in an effortless fashion – having faith in the execution and starting over, if necessary. The others (tight ropers) are skilled, in that, they are very in tune with every movement and are unaffected by their surroundings – unless distracted.

The love for our children is what brought us together. We are different acts in the same circus (Motherhood). Joining forces maintains sanity in my world where juggling a knife, washer machine, toddler, iron and computer is the standard.

If you were to describe your Mama-isms as a circus act – which would it be?

Now that my beautiful daughter is 2 – I am faced with things I consider Mommy Fouls. The term can easily be defined as ‘the fouls made under the influence of Mommy. ‘ I coined the term last week during a bedtime battle. 

I couldn’t understand why my tot would not go to sleep. We had a busy day, she had a play date and nap-then I remember the timeline. Her nap was delayed because we went to the park later than usually. Ouch. This foul costs my team (hubby and I) valuable quality time.

Our Mommy Fouls include:

Packing:

Anytime I think I’m making a quick trip, it turns into an extended journey and chances are I either forgot snacks, water/juice or extra clothes/wipes. Recently, I’ve gone without the travel potty or public potty cover only to re-route my journey, purchase supplies or run home to regroup. This foul cost me cherished time.

Shopping:

Sadly, we have left items in the car after unloading. The most significant being eggs and ground beef. My sister is a Mama that takes everything inside in one trip. I take smaller trips; yet, we’ve both missed things in the chaos of unloading the car with children. The cost of this foul is time and money. Grrr.


During my Pre-Mama years, I left little room for errors. It annoyed me when I made mistakes and couldn’t understand how 98% was okay for some (I wanted everything to be perfect). Thank to my lovely daughter, I realize that shooting for a perfect batting average would drive me insane. So, my goal is to operate with less Mommy Fouls each day.

Which Mommy Foul can you relate?