Making time for art

Maia and I started working on our paper maché pumpkin pinata yesterday. I feel lucky that we've been able to make some time for art just about every day lately. And I've been able to post here pretty regularly, too. So all my grousing earlier was for naught. Or maybe it was my subsequent coming to terms with and thankfulness for the status quo that opened up the possibility. I dunno. But I have to admit I've been doing pretty well and feeling pretty good. When I was pregnant, I was sure that having two kids would be SO MUCH MORE work. After all, parenting Maia as a newborn had been a full-time, all-consuming job. And parenting Maia as a four year old often seems like a full-time, all-consuming job. But parenting Maia and Daphne together doesn't seem all that harder (so far! knock on wood!) than just parenting Maia. Sure, the first couple of weeks were harder. But now? Not so much. I carry Daphne in the sling or the Moby wrap much of the day, which enables me to do just about everything I could do before. She was in the sling yesterday as Maia and I worked on our paper maché pumpkin, as I read stories to Maia on the sofa, as I checked my e-mail, and while I did dishes and laundry. Thank goodness for slings is all I can say! Maia lived in one as well when she was a baby. Not that I never set Daphne down, but the sling definitely makes life easier with a small baby. And doubly so when that small baby has an older sibling. Oh, and it helps that Daphne is an easygoing little baby so far compared to the fireball Maia was (and is!). There's still a lot I'm not doing. I haven't gotten back on the sewing machine, except once briefly. I haven't been cooking much at all. The house has seen better days. But, continuing to make art a priority in our house is important to me -- as much for my sake as for Maia's. Besides, I need something to do with Maia, and being who I am, art is one of the first things in my tool bag that I reach for. And the blog? I just can't stop myself for some reason. I WANT to post. So I make time for it. I don't necessarily WANT to sweep the crumbs up from under the table. I eventually make time for that, too, but it's more of a chore whereas blogging makes me feel good. It's my treat at the end of the day (or, more usually, the beginning).