LJ Idol Week 0

[jexia]

I used to have a standard introduction I'd use at times like this: "I'm a mum, a software developer, a tuba player, a blogger, a baker, a board game player, and very short on time." That was in the days of one child.

Then along came the twins. I had to redefine my understanding of "very short on time."

They're four now, and I still haven't got the hang of life as a mum to three. I'm not sure I ever will. I like it, sometimes. I hate it, sometimes. I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a lawnmower than listen to one more shrieking, flailing argument, sometimes.

My life over the last four years has been a blur of sleep deprivation, never-ending toilet-training, and wilful destruction of property. My boy twin drew on my tuba last week.

LJ Idol is new to me, but way back in 2008 I was a finalist in stuff.co.nz's inaugural Blog Idol competition. I wrote for their parenting blog for four years. The blog lead to experiences I never expected, like appearing on New Zealand television, and speaking at a parliamentary select committee.

I have my own blog now, The Never-Ending Laundry. Maybe you can relate.

Comments

[deza.livejournal.com]

Twins? EEK! On the good side, they do outgrow being quite so mom-dependent. Eventually. I hope.

[jexia]

I've seen a big improvement over even the last three months, even. Getting... the worst... toilet-training issue sorted has improved my life significantly!

[jexia]

Apparently my previous comment jinxed me.

[goldmourn.livejournal.com]

oh my goodness. sounds like a very full life with never a dull moment!

[jexia]

Two minutes ago:

"Finn, take your piggy bank back inside. It'll get broken if you play with it."
"No, I be really care-" *smash*

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

> ... a blur of sleep deprivation, never-ending toilet-training, and
> wilful destruction of property.

Oh, my! I'm definitely gonna have to keep an eye on you! :^)

Cheers...

[jexia]

Thank you!

[sweeny-todd.livejournal.com]

:-( Tuba :-(

I am looking forward to what you write!

[jexia]

Yes, I felt fairly directly attacked by that one. I think he was protesting the fact that I was at band camp all weekend. It's hard to say, though, because he does like to draw on... everything.

[ljidolvillian.livejournal.com]

Wow, I envy the power of writing moms. Well met.

[jexia]

Cheers, thanks.

[tonithegreat.livejournal.com]

Hey, I have twins, too! My girls are five. But I am really impressed by folks with twins and singles. Looking forward to reading you.

[jexia]

Thanks! My eldest was often more work than the twins, but thankfully has gone through a noticeable maturation lately. He's nine.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

I only have one child and can identify with never-ending laundry. Welcome aboard!

[jexia]

Thanks!

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

That is very cool that you got to speak to a parliamentary select committee :D

Oh the washing. Yes.

[jexia]

It was something I felt very strongly about, extending Paid Parental Leave. NZ only has 14 weeks now, and it's too short. It's particularly short for multiple families, because you're likely to have not budgeted for two (or more), and you usually have to stop work earlier than you would for a singleton. It was a great experience and I was glad I did it.


This was my blog about it, though I shared more details about our personal situation at the select committee.

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

That was a really good blog post, and I also liked reading through the comments and seeing the discussion it generated.

[muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com]

I have two teenage girls... I wonder, is that worse than twins? :)

It's a pleasure to meet you, and I'm sorry about the tuba.

Dan

[jexia]

I was very very thankful when the ultrasound showed one was a boy!

(I always laugh when I remember a friend announcing that her twins were boys, with "I HAVE TWO PENISES INSIDE ME RIGHT NOW.")

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

oh . Oh I snortlaughed.

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I love that you have 3 kids and you play the tuba. I'm looking forward to knowing you better.

Also, you should totally check out notodette, who was last season's 2nd place winner, and has a set of twins a year or so older than yours. She also has a parenting blog, but does not play the tuba. :)

Also, there are way easier ways to gouge out your eyes than with a lawnmower. Just sayin. :)

Welcome to Idol.

[jexia]

I <3 notodette! She's one of my inspirations.

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

Well, there ya go! Excellent. :)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Laundry does never end. It's just that when you're a parent, it's mostly not yours! Not that I have any empirical experience, nor am I expected to...

But I've seen a couple of NZers on the Idol listings so far! Great! I hope to learn something about that area, since it is arguably the most isolated nation on the planet... Is it time to do the laundry again?

[jexia]

It's always time to do the laundry. Thankfully I have caught up from the soup incident earlier this week.

(Cup of soup vs. two feather duvets, four pillows and a couch cover. The winner = not me.)

[jenandbronze.livejournal.com]

Children memories are always so much fun to read, and just reading a few comments before writing my response to you... the writing on the tuba (hope it wasn't a Sharpie!!!) and the piggy bank, are always an adventure.

I'm only an aunt, and have been for less than a year, but just watching a child blossom, especially one that surpasses milestones way before certain ages is amazing.

I look forward to reading your stories, and you seem to have a ton of humor inserted into your entries, which I look forward to reading!!!

[jexia]

At least a Sharpie would come off with rubbing alcohol... he used a pencil and gouged it into the lacquer :(

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

I have no children... and yet I still find myself short on time, and suffer from sleep deprivation on a chronic basis.

Maybe some day we can compare notes...

[jexia]

Indeed!

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

I think if one were to try to gouge one's eyes out with a lawnmower, that most of the top of one's head would go along with it...

It's nice to meet you - good luck with the tuba repair!

[jexia]

Hence the appeal ;)

And thanks!

[kajel.livejournal.com]

Children, tuba and laundry, oh my! ;) I have two kids, 5 and 3, and oh goodness yes to the laundry, potty training and drew on the *insert random item here*.

[crimsonplum.livejournal.com]

Goodness, twins and more. A friend of mine recently went for "one last go" on another child...and her three became five! You have my utmost respect for your hard work, and your honesty about what it's like sometimes. Best of luck this season!

[p-m-cryan.livejournal.com]

I am not a parent, but I am both a bloodkin Auntie and a heartkin Auntie, and I have nothing but admiration for moms like you.

[shimmerdream.livejournal.com]

Welcome to LJ Idol! It sounds like you have a very full life :)

I don't have children and I find my own laundry is never ending. I can't imagine what it must be like with three kids.

[mistearyusdiva2.livejournal.com]

Wow .... That's one blog I would like to read and relate to .... Looking forward to your posts .... Have a great day !!!

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Yep. Even without kids, laundry is pretty never-ending.

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

Drew on the tuba. Wow. That's hilarious and I bet not very fun to experience!

Nice to meet you :)

[mothermelete.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I'd cry (owner of many instruments!) and probably scream obscenities too.

HI! I've seen you around, glad to be here with you!

[baxaphobia.livejournal.com]

Nope. Can't relate to the joys (sometimes) of kids but I look forward to reading your adventures!

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

oh man, your poor tuba. :( and twins, yikes. but on the other hand, you play the tuba! which is really cool.

here's to clean laundry!

[lordrexfear.livejournal.com]

As recently discovering I DO want children, you will either deter me or push my motivation more.

[jexia]

My life is the best birth control EVER.

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes I can relate. I think the laundry just beeped yet again.

[gratefuladdict.livejournal.com]

I am a relatively new mom of one (he's just about 14 months), and boy, do I feel the loss of time. My friends with more kids laugh at me...