Top o' the morning!

I know my day starts when I hear a faint cry in the darkness. Eventually I come to my senses and realize that either Cahlen, Naiya or both kids are calling me from the other room.

“DADAAAAAAA!”

I take a second to compose myself. Breathe in… breathe out… and we’re off.

Cahlen is the first one I see. His bright smile can always wake up from the deepest slumber. Recently he has started to stand on his crib so I see his little eyes looking at me past the railing. He’s hungry.

Naiya is usually laying in her bed, pillow over her head, telling me that Cahlen is clearly awake. I pick up Cahlen and begin negotiations with Naiya to get her out of bed (just like her mother).

“Are you hungry? I’ll get you some cheerios.”

“No”

“We can have some toast?”

“I don’t want to”

“How about some cartoons? Diego is on!”

“ok!”

She jumps out of bed and scurries past me to the living room. Clearly she has been awake for some time, but knew this way she would get her shows. Smart girl.

I stumble into the kitchen dodging toys and whatever snacks Cal has managed to throw into the kitchen the night before. I begin to make Cal’s formula bottle. He is obviously hungry… excitement gets the best of him and he smacks me in the eyes.

In the background Naiya reminds me of my promises. “Can I watch my show now?”

Blinded by Cal’s tiny blow I pour formula powder on the counter… Better clean it up or I’ll hear about this later… finish the bottle. Shake it to mix… Cal is now in hysterics. Rocking back and forth he makes it difficult to hold him with one arm. He lands a good blow on my windpipe… I take a second to compose myself.

“Can I watch my show NOW?!”

“Just a second Naiya, Cahlen isn’t help….” Seeing the opportunity Cal puts his full fist in my mouth.

I move my head back releasing Cahlen’s drooly paw from my mouth. He sees this as the perfect time to smear my face with it.

Deep breath.

I get to the couch with Naiya on my ankles begging me to keep my side of our deal. “I want to watch my show, PLEASE!”. I give Cahlen his bottle and he is finally at peace. Naiya has anticipated my next move and hands me the TV remote. “My shows please”.

I toggle through Netflix and finds Naiya’s show, Diego. I go over the theme song in my head for the 1000^th time and close my eyes. Naiya find a comfortable spot next to me on the couch. The bright rays of the sun rising on the horizon fill the room and cover me in warmth. These few minutes are the most peaceful moments of my day.

Cahlen begins to stir when he has finished his bottle. He wants to play now before he eats his breakfast. I get him over to the high chair to give myself the extra hand to prepare breakfast.

“Naiya do you want cheerios?”

“Yup and juice please!”

I go to the kitchen… a mess… I choose to ignore it. It will get done …later. I pour Naiya a bowl of cereal and take it to her on the couch. “Juice?”. Oh right… go back to the kitchen. I get Naiya’s juice and remember to get my lunch out, packed and ready to go by the door. At this point Cahlen has realized that the high chair is not as comfortable and my arms and begins to demand attention. In the background I hear the faint buzzing of my alarm clock.

“Must be 7” I tell Cal as I walk by. He laughs.

Back in the kitchen I begin to make coffee, maybe some toast and see what Cahlen needs for breakfast. I hear my alarm clock stop suddenly and I know Kate has begun to stir. Cahlen yells. He is clearly upset now so I go check on him. He wants a change. I head over to the bedroom.

I find Kate struggling to wake up. Cal begins to scream to get Kate’s attention. I begin to change his diaper. He is now more interested in the curtains and makes a dive for it. Every time. Clean and changed he focuses on waking up mommy. I walk over and hope Cal’s yelling can wake Kate up. It usually works. I use this opportunity to pass Cahlen on to Kate …then the sudden urge to go use the washroom takes over.

I manage to get a quick shower in and hope to pack up fast enough so that we can get going on time. Some how it is now 830. Cal is dressed, Kate is eating breakfast and trying to feed Cahlen, Naiya is refusing to get changed… Negotiations begin again. After giving up a few promises she is finally ready to get ready for the day. Kate and I try to balance out what needs to get done but she usually is doing 10 things at once.

We aim to be out the door by 9am, but we both have a look in our eyes that says “we’ll see about that”. As I try to get Naiya to put on her shoes, Cal is crawling away to see what the CO detector tastes like. I reach for Cal and Kate picks him up just in time. I look back to see Naiya taking off the shoes we had just got on her.

“I don’t like these”

“..but, I … which ones do you like?”

“My running shoes”

“ok”

Finally all ready to go both Kate and I pick up all the bags trying not to forget anything. Naiya cooperates and walks to the car… at her pace. We finally get to the car and today Naiya gets into the car seat all by herself. She’s growing up fast.

The ride to drop me off to the subway is usually short but entertaining. Niaya either doesn’t want to go to daycare, or to Nonni’s or wherever we are headed in the morning. By the time I get off at the station she is calm and usually begins to sing. I give Kate a kiss and the kids a wave and I’m off to another workday.

I try to find the subway car that has the working air conditioning; I usually am able to find a seat fast. I get my book out and take a deep breath. I can relax for a bit.

I tense up when the though crosses me. I close my eyes for a second and admit to myself … I forgot my lunch.

This was a good morning.