Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Doodling in the shower


Do you "doodle" in the shower too? Please tell me that I'm not the only one who does this. That would make me eligible for being on the verge of crazy. I do not need to add another title like that to my resume.
Most of you know that SAHM is an acronymn for stay-at-home-mom. After the birth of Ava (I had 5 children when Teagan would have still been 6 years old- Ava was born 4 days before Teagan's 7th birthday...talk about me being crazy! I was pregnant and/or nursing for like 10 years straight!!) Anyway, I lovingly coined myself a SAHM- but I referred to it as being a stuck-at-home-mom, not stay at home. There's a big difference. You see, IF I wanted to go somewhere, it meant strapping 4 kids into carseats and getting somewhere and then figuring out how to get all the kids in or out of a place. Nearly impossible. Sometimes I pushed a double stroller and "wore" one of my babies in my Baby Bjorn carrier on my front, while prodding or dragging Brock along. Not a pretty sight. Ahem. Cute, maybe...
Some of you ladies can relate to me. Seriously. Others of you feel sorry for me. And still others are simply glad you are not me. My point is that I had to REALLY WANT something or REALLY NEED something before I would venture out on "my own". Which means that I crossed my fingers and prayed long and hard that I wouldn't be too stressed out and that at least half of my kids in tow would be in the kind of mood where I could bribe them into behaving while we were out on our errand. So, if you see a frazzled mom somewhere out and about this week, please cut her some slack. I thank you for her. She probably doesn't want to be there or bother you, really. She would rather be home doing laundry. Been there.
That is my long explanation to my theory behind "shower doodle art". I doodle in the shower not as a way to express my inner being and enjoy the process of creating- but simply because as a mom with lots of little kids I have learned to adapt. And compromise. And entertain. And survive- while still smelling good- like caramel cappacino shower gel. You should try this stuff. You smell like a fresh baked Krispy Kreme for part of your day. It's part of the Jaqua line at Bath and Body Shop. If you are a frazzled mom- don't drag all your kids there. Call your hubby or friend and have them stop and pick this stuff up for you. Okay. I'm getting off the topic a bit, about shower doodling.
I learned early on that if I don't get a shower before the kids wake, I have a few options. Option #1) Skip it. Some of you have seen me on days like this. I wear colorful bandanas and head bands and sometimes I throw on some make-up to trick you into thinking I actually did have time for myself that morning. Love these days. Option #2) Skip a meal and take a shower instead. This is not a bad idea and helps to shed extra pounds especially in the beginning after having a baby. But as the kids grow, it can mean a lot bigger mess in the dining room once you get out of the shower. Unsupervised toddlers at mealtime can spell big mess. Been there. Option #3) Doodle in the shower. This is the one I choose most often.
The girls stand outside the steamed shower door and shout out pictures they want me to draw for them. Sometimes they're simple- like hearts and flowers and stars. Other days they ask for things like Christmas trees and cupcakes. I do this not just for the love of my children or the love of art- but because I get a longer shower, my dining room stays clean, and I get to soak in the smell of Krispy Kremes that much longer. Selfish really. We moms are good at disguising what we really do all day long.Doodling in the shower. I know I can't be the only one out there doing this. I guess I could be. Until Elsie has kids of her own. She will totally do this too. Others of you will follow. You just might.

16 comments:

Jolene said...

I say that I can relate to taking kids out and about. After my 4th one was born I had to go to the grocery store. My husband was in class in the evenings so I had to go it alone...it was horrible. I had the youngest in his carseat hooked into the cart, the next one was in the cart with the food and the older two were loose. I was in line for checking out and my older ones were getting antsy and almost tipped over the shopping cart....with the other 2 still in it! At that point I just told myself...NEVER AGAIN!!

Suzelle said...

:))))))

Anonymous said...

I admire you so much! This blog entry was a perfect reminder for those of us who only have one or two to tote to the store with us. I often see people with a handful of little ones and I won't even begin to tell you the thoughts that go through my mind. ;)

Your blog has taught me so much about perseverence (sp?) and patience and not judging a book by it's cover!

Keep it up, Jody! It's cheaper than therapy.

And I loved your Teagan entry-- brought tears to my eyes!

**hugs**

Laura Williams said...

Right after little man #1 was born I was terrified to go to the grocery alone. Now, 17 months later its a snap (most days) but I TOTALLY savor it, as I will TOTALLY fear it when there are two. . .or three!? (Four - no way!;)And oh MY, have you tried the Tiramisu coffee scrub at B&B Works? You'll stay in the shower another hour! My other obsession is the Angel Food Cake lotion and lip gloss, as well as the Buttercream Frosting lotion. Yummy delicious!

Shelly said...

Today me and my kids walked in the rain because of you! We were "bending the rules"
Your blog is one of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

OH! You give me hope! I have a 1 and 3 year old, and one more on the way. Starbucks is my sanity...but I see shower doodling in my future!
I haven't responded to your blog for a wile...but I must say..the new frappaccino's are divine, your scrapbook pages are inspiring, and your words are SO encouraging to other SAHM'S!

Amy T Schubert said...

brilliant! you should write a book!
-XO

Cris said...

I don't do shower doodle, but I do car doodles...does that count? :P

Unknown said...

Hi there!
It's my first time here, and I will most definitely be back. You seem like such a fun person, and I'm looking forward to being inspired by you some more.

While I don't doodle in the shower, I'm sure I would if I had glass shower doors. :)

But I do sing in the shower, alot.

Blessings,
Jes

Anonymous said...

Okay, this is going to be really crazy, but I saw your comment on Laura VanRyn's blog. (My husband & I are Taylor grads and have been following this story and praying for all involved.) At any rate, I've had so much fun looking at your blog--you have a beautiful family, and you are obviously a beautiful & strong woman! Wow--I am amazed at what you've survived and conquered. This might sound strange, but several months ago you posted about some magnest you made--would you mind telling me how you did that? I would love to make some!! Thanks so much! God Bless! Bethany Rinn (teamrinn@yahoo.com)

Jenny said...

What a great idea! Today at the dentist I BEGGED to have an appointment for just me next time, I didn't even get to go to the bathroom there alone!

eek said...

Hi again!
Girl, I am in awe of any person that can take care of 4 little ones and herself and still look great! Why do you think I have no babies yet - I can barely take care of myself! So doodle away ;)
ee :)

manababies said...

You said it perfectly, how we have to pick and choose as far as what luxuries we can enjoy on any given day, whether it's a shower or actually eating a meal. But what an awesome idea! I will have to give this one a try.

Thanks again for offering such a fresh perspective to mommyhood, but at the same time remaining so realistic. "Stuck at home mom" is the perfect way to describe my situation, although my gosh I can't imagine pushing a double stroller AND wearing a baby in the Bjorn!

Anonymous said...

ROFLOL!!! I don't doodle in the shower or on paper, but hey! LOL, girl I love your blog!

Anonymous said...

jody,
I promise not to comment too frequently. You may never see one buried below these others in an old post. It occurred to me that this blog is an encouragement to scores of more ladies than you could ever imagine. I've not told you that my mom (wedding cake story)also had five kids. Four of us were born in four years then my little brother came along later. So I read your posts with my mom in mind since her health does not allow her to read on line. Her stories of when we were little are very much like yours.

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