Is the jam on YOUR floor 4 days old?

So looking at it now the title to this post not only sounds gross but makes ME sound gross.
Let me just say I'm actually kind of a clean freak so this post is me sharing a growing pain with you :). Now for years I've been that girl (at the time a teenager and into my young twenties) that went to other moms homes and thought "Really? Is it that hard to keep your dishes done and your laundry caught up?" Not only did I think this about moms with one child but even those with a herd household of children.
Do you ever look back at yourself and want to slap yourself or laugh at your face and shake your head? Oh how hard I laugh now. Laugh? Is that the right word? I really do wish I would have been less judgmental. I think that is why I was given my little boy.
My little man is the cutest kid ever (and I say that because I know every mom says that about their own child and truly believes it so please don't take offense) but he is different than who I expected. I expected the perfect baby... No crying, sleeps through the night right away, can eat anything which would make things easier on moms tummy too, always happy, calm. Now please don't misunderstand, this is not a post about how annoying my child is because I honestly truly believe that although I didn't get the "perfect" child I thought I wanted I got the absolutely PERFECT child for ME as a new mom.
So, my journey with my little boy started almost a year ago now, and at first it was all that I expected. He was always very happy, and he actually did have a point for a couple weeks where he slept for 5 to 7 hour chunks (those are the things I fantasize about haha) and then things started to change. At about 2-3 months old we discovered a dairy allergy. Very sad not only for my baby but also for me because I desperately wanted to breastfeed so, I gave up the dairy. Never thought I was that emotionally attached to food but after three weeks of no dairy I almost started crying in a restaurant on a date with my husband. (I also may have cried several times in the privacy of my own home but that is unknown) So trial number 1.
Number 2 my baby walked early. He started at nine months. Now I thought I had a few more months before the craziness would start so that has been really hard cause every time I turn around it's
"We don't stand on the end table!"
"No you can't play with mommies pictures on the night stand" (oh yeah he climbs really well too)
"GET OFF THE TOILET"
"GET OUT OF THE TRASH!!!"
*deep breath*
I know these sound familiar to most but it's been hard for me to adjust. But that's not the hardest part of it. I like to have clean floors. Before a baby I mopped everyday. I mean EVERYDAY. I mean who likes crumbs or hair on their bare feet right? So my little guy is also very independent and VERY ornery. My husband has said "It's like having a little Ashley running around"
That's right ladies I'm raising myself. I thought it would be easier, almost like I'd relish someone just like me but the truth is I'M REALLY FRUSTRATING!
Anyway, Mr. Independent likes to feed himself, which I'm ok with. What I'm not ok with is the way he likes to tell me he is all done or doesn't like something. That would be the jam on the floor. Apparently he didn't want the biscuit with jam so it was thrown a couple feet away face down. Soon to be followed by the coffee cake, and oranges, and eggs. *frustrated sigh* When we first discovered this little behavior it was with nice juicy, messy, already chewed up and spit out peaches. My husband turned to me and said
"I can see the anxiety and panic in your face"
REALLY CAN YOU?!? So I used to get really frustrated about it. I would wipe and mop the floor and then just feed him myself to avoid anymore little hand spasm messes. But that didn't last long since he is so independent and wants to feed himself. So my point to the jam on my floor is this.
I need to mop.
HAHA no that is not my point, this is; Is it more important for me to have perfectly clean floors or for me to allow my child to learn at his pace (which is sooner and messier than I wanted)? Is it more important for me to show irritation toward him or praise and encouragement at the development of a new skill? And yes being able to throw things is a skill. I'm finding every day that the Lord is teaching me the most important life lessons through my little boy. Patience, encouragement, forgiveness, love, quality time, appreciation for help even when a job isn't necessarily done right or cleanly.
At church this Sunday I was talking to a friend in the hall (because my little man was too loud to keep in sacrament ;) another blessing so I could hear this ) And she shared the most incredible thing with me. She is studying a family foundations class and she read me this quote.

"Our journey to become Godlike as our Father in Heaven truly begins when we have children."

I know we don't always feel Godlike in our actions toward our children but we didn't finally get blessed with them because we are perfect. We got blessed with them that we might become perfectED. Now I know I should still mop up that jam cause yes it's gross that I've left it there too long, but I hope that as each of us clean up the messes around us that we won't forget the little lessons and growth those messes are bringing about for our benefit. I am so grateful for my little boy and that he would come down to me and teach me the things I need to learn as his mom. He's so endlessly patient with me and I hope I can show him that same courtesy.