Today's Lesson Learned

As a mother, I learn new things everyday. I used to think I had to know a bit of everything before I became a mom. Luckily, this job provides on the job training. Sometimes, I learn a few tricks of the trade from other Moms who have made goofs and pass it on before other mothers make the same goof. And so, today I pass on my lesson learned.

This morning, in an attempt to get my 20-month old to move a bit faster, I happened to mention that she was going to Nana's house for the day. Ecstatic with the idea of seeing Nana for the first time in a few weeks (due to our various vacation schedules), Elliana stopped eating breakfast, and made a beeline toward the stairs to get dressed. Already realizing my mistake, I began explaining all of the things that had to happen BEFORE leaving for Nana's house. "Mommy has to take a shower," "Let's change your diaper.", "We have to get some snacks ready to go," etc. The more I explained what we must do, the more impatient Elliana appeared to get. I jumped in the shower quickly after distracting Elliana with her toothbrush and the activity of brushing her teeth. That distraction lasted about 30 seconds, but by that time I was already in the process of getting clean.

Elliana proceeded to say "No shower Mommy." Shampoo was in now and I was trying to enjoy the fact that I was getting showered before 9:00 in the morning ( sad, but true). Elliana then proceeds to walk into my closet, pick up a shirt and try to hand it to me through the shower door as she demanded "Mommy, dress!" Obviously, my daughter was in a hurry to see her Nana. I explained that Mommy was still wet and in the shower so that I couldn't get dressed yet. Elliana, apparently already a step ahead of me, was in the process of getting my bathrobe and trying to hand it to me. Wow, when on earth did my little girl get this smart?

Fast forward about four minutes. I'm out of the shower, dressed, picking up the clothes that Elliana had wanted me to wear, trying to step over a toddler repeating "nana's house" in increasing volumes and attempting to blow dry my hair only to throw it up in a pony tail a few minutes later.

Ten minutes later...almost to the car. Snacks are packed, diaper study paperwork and new trial diapers loaded, medicine administered to an increasingly fussy teething toddler, books ready for the 40 minute car ride to Nana's. Wait, pacifiers are needed. Oh, forgot blankie. Might need it if Elliana decides to nap. Ha ha...that's funny. Elliana's new favorite phrase is "No Map!" meaning No nap. But this Mama can dream and prepare for the best case scenario.

Then the drive began where my daughter continued to ask for Nana about every 30 seconds for the entire 40 minutes....thus reminding this Mommy of today's lesson learned: Wait to share the exciting details of the day until just moments before partaking, rather than an hour or two away.