Mommy Brain and the Art of Triple Tasking

I have friends who blame things on "mommy brain." Well, to clarify, first it was "pregnancy brain" and then it was "mommy brain." For those of you who aren't in the parenting loop, that's when you seem to forget everything. You just plain forgot to call someone back, you have no memory whatsoever of a certain conversation, you go all day with your shirt on backwards...the list goes on.

I never noticed it myself. Not because I don't forget things, but because, as my mother would say, "it's a good thing that your head is screwed on otherwise it would just roll away!" In other words, I have always been a pretty forgetful person, that's just how I am...right?

Wrong.

It got worse, and I'll tell you why. It's because with the little ones, I am rarely able to finish a thought without being interrupted.

Let me illustrate.

Me: " Hmmm...I think I will open my Bible and then make sure to return that book....."

Josiah: " Hi!...Hi!..up!?...up!?" (break for Josiah time)

Me: " Let's see, where was I, where did I put that book..."

Kaila: "Aaaagh, aaagh....uuurgh-aaagh!" (Her newfound favorite pose of tummy time doesn't mesh well with a full stomach. Break for clean up and change in position.)

Me: "Ok, got it, I'll just set it on the table and get back to it later..."

Both Kids: " hi! hi! hi! ...arrmmmmmph, waaah, waah,...muah, muah!" (glance down to see Josiah simulaneously smothering-hugging and kissing Kaila)

Shortly following this attempt at one continuous line of thought, agitated screaming makes it apparent that it is time for breakfast and a nap for Kaila. At this point, the book is gone.

Enter the Art of Triple Tasking.

In this photo alone, I am making eggs, listening to a crying Kaila on the monitor, eyeing my unpoured cup of coffee, doing a few dishes, taking out the trash and feeding Josiah in the background. It takes me about 5 minutes to attend to all of these things.

Then there is the inevitable cost-benefit-analysis that takes place anytime I am actually getting something done. For example, as I clean up from Task A-breakfast, I have to ask myself, "is it worth it?" because previously-non-existent Task B and C are being created in that exact same moment.

My survival technique? Efficiency.

If I see something that needs to be done, and I have 2 minutes before I have to go do x,y and z, then that bathroom is going to get the most amazing 2 minute clean-up it's ever seen. If I'm walking back to Josiah's room to change a diaper, then my arms are going to have two babies, a pair of socks, last night's pajamas, and a misplaced blanket in them.

Some day it will pay off. I will be a more effecient, just normally forgetful, person. But for now, I am just glad to have all those tasks done quickly so I can get back to enjoying the important stuff. And who cares if I can't remember anything, like if I put deodorant on today? The ones who really love me will just tell me I stink, and love me all the more for it.