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You can always tell when I have to write an essay: I blog more. Which is to say, I procrastinate by "blogging" instead of writing. Funny how that works.

I met with a woman today on campus who is leading the life I'm soon to enjoy: an Assistant Professor with a baby at home. It was cool of her to meet with me -- I can't imagine how busy she is -- because I'm seriously stressed out about my new job (and it doesn't start until September!). I had this idea that she could share her secret with me: you know, how she manages to be both a mom and a professor. Of course, said secret doesn't actually exist. In fact, she prefaced lunch by suggesting she tell me what NOT to do. And as it happens the things I shouldn't do are the things I do all the time.

Take right now, for instance. Aidan went down at 8PM. It's already 10PM and I haven't even so much as picked up the essay I'm working on.

I'll let you in on something: one of the many perks of early motherhood is that you always have an excuse for getting nothing done. I have every right to be home all day with the bed unmade, dishes piling up, hair a complete disaster and nobody would bat an eye. No folks: she's not mentally unstable; she's a mother! My excuse for getting absolutely nothing done? A twenty-pound rug-rat I call Bump.

As for tonight: I'm simply too tired to exercise my intellect! Aidan's cutting teeth, in the middle of a developmental hurdle, and getting more mobile by the nanosecond. This means that during the day I'm on my toes each second he's awake. (And thanks to mother nature, Aidan's just about to ditch that morning nap).

So, I could log-off and pick up that essay -- the one throwing me a guilt trip from the corner of my desk -- but why should I? We mums need a break every now and then!