Attack of the baby brain

"There have been a few incidents of late that make me think my mind is going, but most definitely lets me know I can no longer multitask.

As a mom of a toddler, you would think that multitasking was a way of life. EVERYTHING is multitasking: getting dressed, doing chores, making dinner, even playing. All these things occur while something else is being accomplished. Playing Bob the Builder while folding laundry while creating a grocery list in my head has become second nature. I am mother, watch me do.

And then I became pregnant. And then I started making little “mistakes” in my tasks. Leaving clothes in the wash for two days; having to go to the store three times in one day because I kept forgetting things; wearing my slippers to a meeting.

I’m getting distracted; I’m getting a “baby brain” again.

Yesterday I was getting lunch ready when the phone rang. No big deal, I can talk and make my quesadilla at the same time. It’s very easy really. Tortilla, cheese and chicken, fold in half, place on cookie sheet in oven on broil, and remove in 2 or so minutes when the tortilla starts browning.

All went well: good conversation on the phone, lots of cheese in the tortilla, popped it in the oven, shut the door, and continued chatting. Then somehow, something inside me told me to open the oven door again.

FLAMES! All over my quesadilla! “I’ve just set my house on fire!” I exclaimed into the phone, “I’ve got to go!”

I grabbed a pot holder (at least I had my wits about to do that!) and pulled our charred lunch out of the oven. The flames died down just in time for the smoke detectors to go off. I turned off the broiler, opened the door and two windows, turned on the stove exhaust and sadly stared at what would have been a lovely lunch. Sigh.

And yes, I immediately realized that one never shuts the oven door when broiling, especially in a very old oven. Phoning and cooking together are done. And keep me away from any heavy machinery, who knows what I’m capable of now. Do not operated while pregnant."
--Clare