Happy Valentines Day!

I walked out into the living room this morning and it was completely spotless.

Best gift ever.

My love language has changed since Ishu came into our lives. It used to be physical touch and now I am all touched out. This morning, I woke up smushed up against the edge of our bed because he just wants to saran wrap himself to me at night.

So please don’t touch me. My toddler knows no boundaries and I am all touched out.

But cleaning the living room? Taking over bedtime routine? Entertaining Ishu while I can read my book?

Yeah, that’s my new love language.

This past week has been tough. Bella was sick on Friday and then Ankur had to work this weekend. So when I say I’m touched out, I am TOUCHED THE EFF OUT.

I feel so exhausted of trying to keep it together for Ishu.

But Ankur’s not working ’til noon today and Bella is back today. So I am going to dedicate some time to work, sure. But, also going to use some of that time to escape our apartment for a little bit and get my head on straight.

Happy Valentines Day to me!

Anyway, here are some scenes from our very exhausting weekend. Exhausting for me, not for Ishu. He never seems to be exhausted and there lies our problem.

Ha.

Friday

We had breakfast at a new-to-us place since Ankur didn’t go into work until noon.

My first meeting on Friday is at 9:15, but we managed to walk over and eat breakfast, stop for groceries, and make it home before I had to log on. We are early risers.

Ankur kept Ishu entertained until he had to leave for work. And then I needed to test some kids so Encanto babysat Ishu for a tiny bit.

By the time I was done with my work day, we BOTH needed some time away from screens so we bundled up and met our sweet friends at the park.

Jessie, Emmett and Henry’s mama, is so creative and always comes up with fun things for the kids to do. She created a dinosaur egg with baking soda + flour and the kids got to use droppers and vinegar to reveal what was in their egg. The other day, she brought colored water for the kids to paint the snow. I swear, she’s got a different kinda brain than I do and we’re so lucky to learn new ideas from her.

Saturday

I’m part of an online community of mothers who write. And, every month, they have a “Girls Night In” or “Girls Day In” event over Zoom. And I’ve always allowed myself to get semi-excited about something, only to let it get steamrolled by whatever was happening in the moment. Instead of carving out time to show up to these Zooms, I’ve spent a lot of this past year as a passive member. Engaging in a few FB posts, reading the monthly newsletter, but never actively showing up for things.

But writing is something I love. And I want to make time to DO it. Even if I’m not writing a book or hoping for an end product, the act of writing sustains me and I want to make more time to show up to things like this.

So, even though it was hard and my mom guilt was all-consuming as I put the TV on for Ishu, my internal dialogue saying, “You don’t NEED to be doing this. Your son watched this movie yesterday. What you NEED to be doing is taking him away from the screens and spending time with him,” I did it anyway.

I put him in front of a TV so I could have some (mostly) uninterrupted time on Zoom responding to some writing prompts with other mamas across the country.

The facilitator of the event shared a Rest+Retreat playlist of soft music to write to.

And thank GOD my camera was off initially because the minute the first prompt went up and the music started playing, I was UGLY CRYING like nobody’s business.

As if something clicked inside of me reminding me that I, too, am deserving of moments like this one.

The rest of the day was devoted to Ishu – including a trip to the pool! – and it was tiring, no doubt. But it was made easier knowing that I had given myself the morning to do something for ME. Just for me.

Sunday

I broke out the instant pot and made some khichdi for breakfast. It is the easiest thing to make and one of my favorite meals! Added bonus that Ishu loves it too. It takes 15 minutes from start to finish. And when it comes out, it makes me feel like I’m way more talented in the kitchen than I actually am.

If I don’t use my Instant Pot for ANYTHING else, it will be fine. This is enough to say its worth it.

We also packed up some of Ishu’s old toys and gave them to a local mom through our Buy Nothing FB group. There’s something about getting rid of shit that feels like you’re in control of your life – even if you’re absolutely not in control of your life. The act of removing and decluttering makes me a real happy clam.

We played in the sink so Mama could clean up the kitchen.

And we ordered Jersey Mikes for lunch because free delivery on game day!

Ankur came home early from work and we watched the 90s throwback concert on TV. Once Ishu went to bed, we watched a bit of the Jungle Cruise.

And now we’re here. Ready for another week.

Valentines Day! I guess I’ll go make some heart shaped toast.

(I will not be making heart shaped toast).

Hope you enjoy your V-Day and happy Monday!

Questions of the Day:

How are you celebrating Valentines Day? Galentines Day? Palentines Day?

What was a highlight from your weekend?