How to Sit

As much as I strive to be mindful when I'm home with my family and not rush through my to-do list, my natural inclination is to get things in order before playing or relaxing. I was home alone with the girls all weekend save for hubs making an appearance in the mornings. (It's still an insane time for him at work.) Liv was under the weather (she of course gets sick every time hubs is traveling or working a ton) so we just took it easy. It was also super cold out so I had great excuses for not bringing the girls to the playground on Saturday and Sunday. (I hate going to the playground; will unpack that one in a forthcoming post.)

On Sunday I treated Liv to Frozen II while Mia napped. We snuggled up on the couch under a blanket and watched the whole thing together. It was the best. She wanted to watch it again and I indulged her. But at that point I took the opportunity to tidy the apartment and figure out dinner for the girls.

I usually use TV as a substitute for my presence. Each night Liv watches a program while I have special time with Mia (books & bedtime). On weekend mornings hubs and I put a show on for Liv when we need more rest and Mia is chilling in her crib. If we're out we use screen time as a last resort, occasionally letting Liv watch something on our phones. Mia isn't as interested yet, which is fine by me. (She also used to hate desserts. That lasted like a week, so we'll see how this pans out ;)

On Monday, home for Presidents' Day, Liv wanted to watch Frozen II again while Mia napped. We had already gone out to the coffee shop, bookstore, and a quick stop at the playground at our building. I capitulated and said yes to the movie. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get my act together, make the bed, do the dishes. (So much of being home with the kids is cleaning.) I put on the movie and Liv instructed me to get under the blanket with her. After a little while I excused myself to get some stuff done. She was not having it. She said, "We're watching together. Don't get off the couch until Frozen II is over."

It was such a good reminder to just sit. Be in the moment, especially when you can be with the people you love. Presidents' Day was a bonus day, an extra day off from work to be with my girls. I savored being with my little loves. Even during TV time. Messes can wait, despite their strong pull on my OCD tendencies. I went all in. Sniffing Liv's hair as we snuggled. Smooching Mia a million times when she woke from her snooze. Using all my senses to take them in. I always tell them they're edible. I want to eat them. Liv protests, saying they're not food, she's "glued together" and that I can only eat her knees. Apparently, the knees are sweets. To me, she's the bee's knees, teaching me how live, day in and day out.

AES

P.S. How to Sit.