You’re doing all right.

Maybe you haven’t slept in weeks, and you can feel your patience wearing thin.

Maybe the litter boxes need scooped, and the dishes piled up again, and the celery you cut up when you bought it has turned an interesting shade of brown.

Maybe those sweet potatoes you bought to introduce your baby to new food textures have sprouted where they’re sitting on the counter.

Maybe you can’t remember the last time you swept the floor, and despite your best efforts, your baby’s toys (and your own) are scattered all over the living room floor.

And her bedroom floor.

And your bed.

And the couch.

And the car.

Maybe the laundry fills three baskets, and that’s not even counting what’s clean and folded and ready to be put away.

But while all of this is running through your mind, maybe that baby is sleeping soundly, dreaming about the day she spent scattering those toys.

Maybe, as she was falling asleep in your arms, she nuzzled her little face into the crook of your neck and sighed the most contented sigh.

Maybe you put away a basket of clean laundry and tossed that bag of liquifying celery.

Maybe you found ten seconds to take a deep breath and remember that the chores can probably wait.

You’re doing all right.