Want VS Obligated

I washed Souki's cloth diapers, clothes, and beddings yesterday; today, they were still hanging out to dry.  The weather was rather fickle today - it was sunny but raining; and when it started to drizzle, I ran out to make sure I got all the clothes, since I didn't want them getting wet again (plus, they won't smell fresh anymore if they got rained on).  Little did I know, hubby decided to gather everything himself.  He asked me if they still needed to be ironed.  For the both of us, it has been common practice to just fold our clothes neatly after they've dried; it was easier, considering we don't have hired help, and our clothes smelled just as nice as if they were ironed.  But knowing these fabrics will be touching our baby's delicate skin (hehe), I told him they still need to be ironed; so, I got all the clothes from him and decided to store them in a box near the laundry area until our cleaning lady (who comes in three times a week) comes back and just ask her to iron them.

As I was stacking the clothes neatly, and almost on their way into the box, I was like, "These are just a few pieces, I think I can iron them myself."  And iron I did.

Mom: I wonder when Jig (cleaning lady) will be coming back this week.

Me: I think I'll iron these myself.  If I wait for her, the clothes would be stored for too long in the box.  Yup, I'll do this myself. *plugs in the iron*

Mom: Do you know what you're doing?

Me: Yup, this is no biggie.  This is practically easy! *starts ironing*

...a few seconds later

Me: Mom, I don't think I know how (LOL). *still continues to iron*

Mom: Just don't iron the garter area.

Me: Okay.

I think I finished in 30 minutes with an aching back.

Extra Arms and Hands = Labor of Love

As I was ironing Souki's clothes, I realised something - I was actually enjoying it!  Normally I'd be too lazy to do anything around the house; I'd rather sit and watch tv or tinker with my phone.  But this time it was different.  

Being a new mom, I never thought I'd have more responsibilities than before.  I know caring for a baby is rather difficult; but I didn't know it would be this tough.  Prior to getting pregnant, I knew how to run a household, but I didn't do any chores; at most, I'd do the cooking and washing the dishes bit.  I'm not proud but I will admit it, my husband did most of the chores at home - sweeping and cleaning the house and doing the laundry.  All I did was feed him.  So when Souki came into our lives, I wasn't that prepared for the additional duties on my plate.

I start my day with an entire routine in my head (that would be in another post :D ).  I count the hours until Aboi gets home; and when my hubby comes home from work in the afternoon, as much as I want to give him the baby right away and tell him it's his turn, I ask him how his day went, if he's hungry and if he'd like to eat.  We usually eat together, as I never enjoyed having a meal alone; and if he decides to do so, I let him have Souki for a few minutes so I can heat the food for the both of us.  After I set the table and the food is warm and ready, I automatically carry Souki so that he could eat first; after all, he's the one who's had a long day (and he eats so much faster than me :D ).  When he's done eating, he gets to hold our baby and I get to (finally) eat.  Yay!  After eating, I continue my routine of chores.  And before I even realise it, it's already 7 or 8 PM, and no, I haven't bathed by then.

I ask myself if I feel obligated doing the things I do now for Souki and Aboi, knowing we don't have a yaya to do these things for me.  Sure, there are times when I'm having a hard time - I'm tired, hungry, or sleepy, and I can't put the baby down, and I'd wish for extra arms/hands or an extra "me", or hired help to assist me all the time as I hold Souki - these times I feel I have no choice but I do them anyway.  

I think, sometimes, I do get my wish of extra arms and hands, only in another form - LOVE (eep, cheesy alert!).  It doesn't matter how tired I am, or sometimes feel taken for granted; my love for my husband and daughter is enough to give me that extra push everyday to keep me going at what I do.  At the end of the day I feel different (in a good way), better, even, knowing that I was able to do everything on my own.

Want versus Obligated?  Nah, I LOVE what I do for my family. Period.  =)