Have you seen the movie 27 Dresses? It was a pleasant surprise to me on a flight one day. It was a cute movie about a bridesmaid never a bride…27 times. Katherine Heigl’s ‘Jane’ is vexed by the closet of 27 dresses she has worn in other people’s weddings. Official description of the movie from IMDB: After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, a young woman wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister’s side as her sibling marries the man she’s secretly in love with.
What does this movie have to do with a married working mother’s blog (other than I liked the movie when I saw it last year)? The number 27 and being vexed! I counted my three year olds shirts. He has 27. In the past two weeks he has decided that he will wear *2* of them. As a busy mother, washing these two shirts so that one of them is ready to wear every day is impossible, never mind what it would do to the environment to constantly be washing half loads. It is quite the little drama that we act out on the mornings that do not include the treasured Tumble Bus or Little Einsteins branded apparel. Oh, and did I mention both shirts are white t-shirts with logos on the front. White is so easy to keep from getting stained when you have a toddler, so having these highly prized gems looking good is a snap. (Insert snicker here).
I really had no problem with the ‘terrible twos’ and I am not ashamed to admit I am enjoying the so called ‘trying threes’. I love my son’s exploration of the world and his testing of his boundaries. I actually find his sudden interest in what he wears intriguing, although occasionally inconvenient. I have a ring side seat as he decides what foods he likes, what friends he prefers, what books will become dog-eared and now what garments will be threadbare by the end of the summer.
I am constantly awed by the rare experience and downright privilege of raising a child. Having 14 nieces and nephews before delivering a child of my own, I changed lots of diapers. Auntie went to baseball games, took pictures of proms and drove two hours in order to create the perfect up-do before a recital. Once I rescued one terrified soul from the perils of a daddy long legs when we camped, rooted for one of the best ‘D’ men in Pee Wee hockey, sat through middle school production of the nutcracker with a fever of 101 and more baptisms, confirmations, graduations than one wishes to recall. Loving children was part of growing up, especially those I am related to! Yet, seeing the process unfold before my very eyes continues to take my breath away.
Being a parent has lots of challenges. The least of which is making sure that the “right” shirt, shoes, blanket, etc. are clean. Whether or not you work outside the home. Parenting is the most rewarding job ever! (Remind me I said this when he becomes a teenager, will you?)
