Pushing and pulling I try to fight against the great creature that has overtaken me.  Arms and legs are flailing.  It’s one of the greatest battles I’ve encountered… dealing with strength that I simply can’t overcome.  But I continue to fight, believing that I cannot only overtake him, but also outwit the wild beast.  The frustration in me mounts as another monster from the depths swoops in to try to distract me with their rabid cries… they are most definitely working together to defeat me.  How did I end up here??  Moments earlier the sea was calm, and I was in control.  But now, the realization of the horror of what I was being faced with was beginning to set in.  Should I just give in?  Simply give up and let the creatures swallow me whole??  Not today Satan!!  Haha!

Suddenly my daughter looks up at me with her sweet, innocent grin and my one-year-old finally stops contorting his body so that I can finish putting his legs in his shark pajamas (how is it possible to have both feet in and then they do this Houdini move and you have to start all over again?!  Why does it take 10 attempts to get two adorable little chunky legs into pjs??) I’m wiping as he stands and hangs upside down and attempts to scale the wall like a free solo climber. And then suddenly I see their innocence and beauty once again.  I realize I’m not being attacked at all… I’m just a momma!  Trying to get your little ones to bed when the two youngest have double ear infections and some manic energy is seriously such a battle.  It’s hard even when they don’t feel yucky.  My kiddos are so full of energy and do NOT like to be still, especially on the changing table. Remember to breathe and don’t let those little sharks defeat you! You will get them in their jammies and you will read to them and they will fall asleep. And you will have such a sense of accomplishment and relief and then you will weirdly miss them and all of their craziness and go to bed and start all over again!

Happy Shark Week 2023!!  And Happy Mothering 😉

                                -Tara xo