Just when you think you have it all under control...

So tonight I was washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and admiring the fact that I could keep such a good eye on my newly mobile son while getting so much housework done. Only a 1/2 wall separates the kitchen from the living room/dining area, and it's literally right behind the sink. So I can wash dishes for days and watch him pull himself along the carpet.

I was feeling so darn pleased with myself, and thinking "Man, I'm totally handling this. I'm getting stuff done, Elliot is totally happy exploring, and I'm a Rock Star Mama." Then I noticed that he was spending a suspicious amount of time under his highchair... with his back to me so I couldn't quite see what he was doing. I thought, oh well, if he finds a stray puff he can just nom on it, what do I care?

So I finish up cleaning the kitchen, get Elliot's dinner all ready, and go to put him in the high chair. He looks up at me with a big grin... and a strange black ooze all over his cheek, chin, and hands. Like, a disgusting black substance that appears that it has made it's way INTO HIS MOUTH. Then I see, clutched in his wee fist, a blackened, gummy chunk of banana... from breakfast... yesterday.

Whoops.

and... grooossssss.

Man. Just when I thought I had it all handled, my child ends up eating fruit that has been sitting on the mat under his highchair for OVER A DAY. A piece of fruit that was so dirty, bruised and gooey I had to struggle to recognize what it was. I mean, he was no worse for wear, he seemed completely delighted. And this wasn't even the worst thing to make it into his mouth so far (ahem... those of you who follow me on Facebook might remember the "hairball" incident. oh yesss.)

But seriously, who among us has time to clean the mat under the highchair? I'm still trying to catch up to the oodles and oodles of laundry spilling out of my hamper and onto the floor. My husband needs clean underwear more than I need to be crawling around underneath the highchair. Literally the ONLY thing I manage to get clean daily is the kitchen, and that's because (ironically) I can't STAND food sitting around. Heh.

I'm not perfect. And if I manage to clean up Elliot's toys strewn about the living room at night I can relax in peace. I just need to remember that my child is healthy and happy, and that's because I spend his waking hours taking care of HIM, not the chores around the house. And that's really what matters.

But, come on, a dirty banana piece from yesterday's breakfast?! That's disgusting. :)