They’ve Snacked On My Brain

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a smart man. And, he must be watching me from the other side.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blunders and absurdities? Check.

Old Nonsense? Check.

I think this needs to be on a giant plaque somewhere in my house to remind me that it’s OK to get locked out of your house twice in just a matter of months, have multiple failed attempts at the grocery store, blog about things that are better kept private, and lose your wedding ring (and a lot of sleep in the process) only to find it in the produce drawer of your fridge two days later. Not to mention the countless blunders I make each day just trying to figure out this motherhood thing.

Like yesterday, I wrote another blog post I regretted later. It has since been moved to my private folder. Something that has been coming in handy lately. My Dad sends me a loving message on FB first thing this morning when I am still laying in my bed trying to wake up and I simply grab my Kindle to see what happened over night in internet-land (nothing) but, he thinks since he is on the East Coast that I’m ready to chat it up. He said, “Hey! Why don’t you tell everyone you’re a nut job?” Thanks Dad. Way to boost my confidence first thing in the morning. NO wonder I have issues.

But, many days, I get it right. And, those days are good. And, lately, I’ve been having a LOT of good days. And, I’m truly enjoying my kids. Like, a lot.

This morning, I was greeted by two little boys in their beds. Chandler was making scary noises and Kyle was hiding under the covers. Giggles were already happening and I felt like I hadn’t even had time to open my eyes. Apparently, when we put on Chandler’s PJ’s that look like a police uniform, he has interpreted that to mean that when he wears them, he is supposed to act like a scary monster of some sort. They woke up giggling and laughing at his raaaarrrr-ing. The air is cool and crisp outside and I’ve been a pretty easy going mama today. I’m getting it right. Today.

But, another day, I am sure to commit another blunder or absurdity or nonsense of some kind. Luckily, I’m already good at forgetting things.

In fact, some days I would argue that this motherhood gig is making me smarter, teaching me all kinds of life lessons. Other days I would say that it is definitely making me a whole lot of the opposite of smart. What’s that word again?

Speaking of my brain, did you know that I once saw on Oprah this nonsense:

The mommy brain

• The brain shrinks during pregnancy—it does not lose cells but changes metabolism and restructures. Then in the final one to two weeks, the brain begins to increase in size again and construct maternal circuits. It does not return to its former size until about six months after giving birth. “We don’t know what it’s doing but we think it has something to do with redeveloping the mommy brain’s circuits, but also maybe even letting the fetus ‘snack’ on the mommy’s brain,” Dr. Brizendine says.

My children have all snacked on my brain, people. SNACKED ON MY BRAIN!!! Does anyone else find that a little disturbing. And, I bet at the same time you’re all nodding your heads and thinking, “So that explains it”. It really does. It explains a lot. And, it returns to its normal size about six months after giving birth? Well, I have my doubts.

Onward and upward my friends. Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s start it out serenely, unencumbered, and with a high spirit. At least until the kids wake up.