How to make macaroni and cheese

Posted on by britt Posted in mami, mija, mujer, solTagged , , , , ,

Step 1

Carefully place two week old in baby chair and cross fingers he doesn’t cry. Take out milk, butter, spoo –  Hear loud gas with a hefty gift from newborn. Weigh options. Take the risk; continue prepping in kitchen while all seems moderately calm.

BOIL water in medium saucepan. 

Smell something foul coming from the two year old. “Mommy, I poop!!!” Wonder why water is taking so damn long to boil. 

Step 2

Listen to newborn lose ever-loving mind. Realize it’s time to breastfeed….again. Listen to two year old on repeat: “Mommy, I poop!!!” Listen to four year old open and close every kitchen cabinet. Crying, screaming, slamming. Raise my voice, “WILL EVERYONE PLEASE STOP!!!??” Direct everybody out of the kitchen. Pick up newborn to change blowout. Wonder why water is taking so damn long to boil. 

STIR in macaroni; cook 7-8 min. or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Weigh options. Take the risk; start feeding newborn and cross fingers big brothers don’t start wailing for dinner. Wonder why extreme sciatica pain developed postpartum. 

Step 3

Stand up to stir occasionally while balancing newborn on breast. Mediate two year old and four year old fighting over a toy. “Alexa, stop.” Wonder if baby can be tricked into baby chair for amount of time it will take me to drain macaroni and warm up chicken my grandmother dropped off yesterday. 

DRAIN, do not rinse. Return to pan.

Huff and puff when two year old proclaims,”Mommy, want to eat!!!” Look up to see four year old singing to newborn, attempting to soothe with the pacifier. Wonder how he has more patience than I do. 

Step 4 

Reminded by two year old, “Mommy, I poop!!!” Whisk two year old off for a change and cross fingers poop has not seeped through boundaries of the pull-up. 

ADD margarine or butter, milk, & cheese sauce mix; mix well.

Listen to newborn wail. Watch four year old now whiz around living room as Spider-Man. Convince two year old food is almost ready. Wonder how 45 minutes can feel longer than eight hours.

10 thoughts on “How to make macaroni and cheese”

  1. Reply
    sallydonnelly11 says:

    I love how you structured this slice as a recipe and inner thinking! It shows so well what life of a mother of three is like. At the end, I wanted to bring you a chicken over for tonight. So glad your grandmother is nearby. The fact that you wrote this brilliant slice is hoping you are finding some peaceful times. THank goodness kids nap and sleep! Hang in there!!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Reply
    Anna Maria says:

    Oh this reminds me of one afternoon this summer when I was trying to fix lunch for a 6 and 4 year old. The 6 year old kept dancing around the living room and doing a balancing act on the couch while the 4 year old wanted to try to be like his sister. I’m trying not to burn a pizza but also keep an eye on the 4 year old. He doesn’t have the grace of his sister. In the end we had one burnt pizza, a happy 6 year old & a happy 4 year old because he balanced like his sister atop the couch.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Reply
    Sarah Valter says:

    This piece is brilliantly structured and SO easy to relate to! Hope that mac and cheese was delicious—you earned every bite (that you most likely finished cold off of a child’s plate because eating it is sometimes just the easiest way to clean up 😉).

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Reply
    onathought says:

    Wait, am I old if I say… I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS!
    So glad you are writing about them – it’s a kind of therapy, I think — to write these slices of motherhood – the stories are universal and unique at the same time. Love the structure here!

    Liked by 1 person

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