I Didn’t Accomplish Anything Today Because of You

home insemination Kit

Today didn’t unfold the way I had envisioned. I didn’t check off any of the tasks I had on my to-do list. In fact, my little one, you completely derailed my day.

The laundry that’s been piling up for days? Well, it’s still there, overflowing and tripping me up every time I walk through your room. Instead of tackling that mountain of clothes, I watched you rummage through your drawers, trying on countless outfits before proudly donning the “big blue choo-choo shirt” – inside out, of course!

I also didn’t assemble the bookshelf we ordered from Amazon last week. Instead, I found myself squeezed into the fort you built, with your Mario blanket stretched between the box of bookshelf pieces and the TV stand, as we dove into story time together.

I had every intention of practicing your ABCs, but instead, I practiced patience as I watched you leave a trail of Cheerios throughout the house, like some kind of toddler Hansel and Gretel. Who knew those little snacks could cause such chaos?

The van hasn’t made it to Jiffy Lube for that oil change, despite the warning light flashing at me for a week now. Instead, I was racing Hot Wheels cars across the kitchen floor with you, erupting in laughter when one of them sent the cat darting out of the room, hissing.

Cooking that chicken I’ve been avoiding? Didn’t happen. Instead, I indulged in a pretend kitchen adventure with you, sipping on imaginary coffee while you served me plastic sandwiches.

I planned to call the maintenance guy about the dishwasher that’s been acting up, but instead, I took your “cell phone” – a rock you handed me in the backyard – and we ended up chatting about bugs.

Running to the post office to mail your aunt’s birthday gift was also on my agenda, but I found myself chasing you around the front lawn, pretending to be a dinosaur as you shouted, “Sharp Tooth!” (I may have regretted that decision after watching The Land Before Time with you.)

Napping was on my mind, especially given how tired I felt, but instead, I rocked you to sleep during your nap time because you were scared of that imaginary Sharp Tooth lurking in your closet. (Note to self: maybe we should skip the dinosaur games next time).

Cleaning the bathrooms or the microwave? Not even close. Let’s be real, I never really planned on tackling those chores anyway. And those piles of photos on my dresser? Still untouched, still waiting to be organized.

But guess what? I did create some beautiful memories today. I didn’t squeeze in a workout, but I did squeeze you tight and felt your little arms wrap around me in return.

I didn’t carry in the groceries I meant to pick up, leaving the fridge nearly empty. Instead, my arms were busy carrying you, and my heart feels so full.

I even skipped taking a shower. But I did take a moment to watch you carefully stacking your blocks by color, singing “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” as you worked (you just saw The Aristocats for the first time last night).

I soaked in every bit of your smallness, your perfect little quirks, your delightful mischief, and your vivid imagination.

As I glance around the house – at the towering dirty dishes, the scattered laundry, and the untouched to-do list – I look back at you. Your smile, the joy radiating from your tiny self, is enough to remind me that, yes, while I didn’t accomplish much today, I really did everything that mattered.