Muddling Through Parenting Littles

I have to be completely honest right now. I'm in a phase of life where I'm feeling a little... lost.

Most of my days revolve around how I'm going to manage to get the dishes done, the laundry caught up, and the house at least decently picked up, all while maintaining a full-time employee status, and dropping off and picking up the littles from daycare and school. And to top that all off, the hubs had foot surgery 3 weeks ago and while likely be in a boot and on crutches for at least another 3 weeks. So that counts him out of the a lot of the errand running, house maintenance, or even help with bath time.

Some days feel like I'm winning if I've simply survived.

Some days I'm so tired I wonder how I'm even functioning.

Some days I'm so emotionally drained that I end up crying and laughing at the same time, looking like a complete psychopath.

Some days, I'm so proud of getting everything done on my to-do list, until I look back on the day and realize that getting it all done resulted in less-than-quality time with my family.

Likewise, some days nothing gets done on the to-do list and it makes me feel like I'll be starting the next morning already behind the eight ball.

You guys. #thestruggleisreal

Please tell me I'm not alone here.

I have dreams and aspirations. I have goals and things I'd like to accomplish one day. Heck, sometimes I just want to have a cup of coffee in pure silence. Or get an entirely uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep without having to get someone a drink of water or take someone to the potty. (Actually, now that I'm entering my third trimester of the third pregnancy, I'd just like to get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep without having to take myself to the potty.)

Truthfully, when I look at the big picture, I really am grateful. I've been blessed beyond what I deserve. I have a stable, flexible, well-paying full-time job, 2 healthy kiddos with a third healthy one on the way, and husband who works normal hours and is willing to pitch in around the house in the evening (albeit temporarily hung up on some crutches at the moment).

But ya'll, I'm exhausted. This parenting thing is not for the faint of heart. And parenting littles has got to be the most emotionally and physically draining experience of my entire life. It's so worth it, but it's so hard.

I read somewhere recently that it's possible to be exhausted and grateful at the same time. What a perfect way to describe parenthood. We wouldn't replace this time with our kiddos for anything, but it comes at the cost of decent rest and recuperation.

I've come to realize that I feel a little lost at times because my main goal for the day is to just make it through the day. Then focus on the next 24 hours and make it through that day.

Meanwhile I try to keep sight of the fact that these days will not last forever, and when bigger issues come down the road with my kiddos, I'll probably be wishing to have these simple, innocent days back.

For anyone else out there parenting littles, and trying to figure out how to do more than just survive, please know that you're not alone. God knows we're doing the best we can. Love on those squishy faces as hard as you can, and trust that some day sleep will return to our lives (hopefully minus the potty breaks).