Where's Sydney? The new reality around here.

We have had a few moments lately where we find ourselves saying,

"Where's Sydney?"

Usually, we are just playing the game with her. 

But maybe once or twice she has scooted herself into a nook and for a second...don't worry, only a second, our hearts stop beating as we scan the room for her. 

But then we find her with her cheesy, proud, scrunchy nosed smile on her face.

And we shout, "There she is!"

And then she laughs.

And if you try to coax her to come out from her little hiding spot.  She gets super excited.  Scrunches up her nose and shakes her head back and forth at you.  And throws in a squeal for drama.

So then you go back to folding laundry,

thinking that she is in a safe little nook. 

But then you look over and you see this.

And you realize,
no matter how well you sweep, vacuum, and crawl around looking for little bitty schnibbles...she's going to find them.

And her little pincher fingers will grab that itty bitty crumb and wave it in your face...
almost taunting your cleaning skills.
So you firmly, say "no no yucky."
And take the little piece of sand away...wondering how in the world she even found that.
And she laughs at you (with her cheesy scrunchy nosed smile).

And then continues on her journey.
Determined to find each and every piece of dirt that has been trekked into our house.

Note to neighborhood friends:  if you stop over, you might find a vacuum or broom in my hand...or my nose to the ground...racing to find things before she does.

Life has gotten really busy around here.
Fun.  but busy.

I was stressing over this new stage with some friends and they were trying to tell me when they showered.  But I had to explain to them that it wasn't so much the shower that is stressing me out.  I can get up earlier and shower if that is the issue.   Or she can be plopped in the exosaucer or jumper for those few moments.  It is the hour each morning when I have to feed, clothe, pack up, and get all of us out of the house.  When I am scurrying around looking for signed permission slips, lost mittens, while packing a lunch, and wiping a tushy.

I honestly don't remember with Charley.  But thinking back - what could have been so tough.  We didn't have millions of Lego's and crumbs from other kids.  Things were childproofed to the max.  With Henry we weren't on as much of a schedule so I could just relax and get dressed, feed them breakfast, clean up...at whatever pace worked.  We did have more little toys but nothing as extreme as now.  And he took a nuk and I think when he had the nuk in he wasn't as tempted to put things in his mouth.

This time... I HAVE to get Charley out the door for school.  They need to eat.  Pajamas must come off and outfits need to be assembled and put on.  And so I can't plop Miss Syd in a pack and play or exosaucer for an hour.  And the toys...the Legos and the teeny tiny Star Wars guy accessories.

We are dealing.  We are thriving at moments.  But last week, I did find myself realizing at the end of each day that I needed to give myself a break.   Right now the laundry might not get folded as timely as usual...oh heck, let's be honest.  This hasn't impacted the laundry, the laundry is always mounded on the couch.  But, it does give me a valid excuse instead of the lame ones I have used in the past. 

Thanks Miss Sydney.  I look forward to watching you explore the world on your little sore red knees these next few days, weeks, months.  This will slow me down.
I will be more present.  I must.