Is there really such thing as baby brain??

How many times have I heard the term 'baby brain' as a throw away line that is often used for pregnant women and according to some extend to nursing mothers and even for the rest of a women's life after givining birth. Most women I know who are pregnant or who have been pregnant swear by baby brain. I on the other hand was one of the few who did not like the term 'baby brain'. I was always happy whenever I heard of so called scientific studies that claim there is no such thing as baby brain. I felt if I was every forgetful or vague that I would have been the same whether pregnant or not and there was a good reason like tired, stress, hormones or being busy.

Image courtesy of Stressed Mom

I am mother of a 5 month old and 20 month old girls. Sometimes I can be so forgetful or do silly things. For example, today I rang the Department of Fair Trading because I thought my business name had expired but was told it was still registered when speaking to someone on the phone. I then realised I had actually read the date of issue instead of the date it expired.  I then printed off some forms to fill out and take to the Department of Fair Trading. Whilst filling them out I had the baby in the rocker and the toddler eating morning.

I  then packed the outing bag for the girls with food, drink, change of clothes, nappies etc. I also put in a book, colouring in and stickers to give the toddler something to do. I thought we were all ready to go but then realised the toddler needed a nappy change, so I went to change her. Then couldn't find the car keys. They are usually in the front door. I checked my back and the hooks where the rest of the keys are kept. Then I checked the bench, my other bag, the table, bedroom. I was stumped, so I rang my husband and he said they were in the front door and I said "There are not there". He thought it was strange, because when he had left, my keys were in the front door on the inside and had locked the door with his keys. I got off the phone and continued looking around the house and finally found them. On the chest of drawers next to the change table where I had changed the toddler.

So we were ready to go. I put the toddler in the car, then went to get the baby and realised she needed a nappy change along with a clothes change, because the poo had gone out the side of her nappy and onto her clothes. So I proceeded to quickly change the baby as I didn't want the toddler in the car too long. Then went and put the baby in her capsule and into the car. Then I realised I had forgotten to give the baby her solids. So I raced back inside and quickly made up some baby rice and grabbed a spoon. Almost ready to go but now I needed to go to the bathroom, so I raced to the bathroom and then grabbed a gluten free muffin from the kitchen as I had realised I was really hungary.

I  gave the toddler half of the muffin, hoped into the car and started driving. As I was driving I  was trying to figure when and where I was going to give the baby her solids. I thought maybe when I park, I will quickly give them to her while she is still in her car seat. The toddler will still be in her car seat, so she can't escape. Then I wondered where I was going to park. The carpark to the building where The Department of Fair Trading is costs $10 and I don't have $10 on me. Maybe  I can park on the street if I can get a spot not too far away. Then I remember that the Early Childhood Centre is in the same building, I could go in and give the girls a quick measure and weigh and get a token from them for free parking. Then I though, I wasn't planning to do that today, they don't really need a measure and weigh and I don't have their blue books. Then I remembered that I had $20 that I earned from doing a massage, but I still didn't want to spend $10 on parking!

So I thought, I will make a decision when I get there and see what parking is available. Sure enough I got a good spot on the street. I fed the baby her solids, put up the double pram and whilst putting the girls in the pram, my mobile started ringing. I thought that is my husband ringing to see if I found the keys, I didn't have time to call him back. Sure enough it was my husband. We then went to Fair Trading. Whilst there, I occupied the toddler with the food, book, colouring and stickers I had brought. I was luckly they lasted until we were just about to go. Just as we were about leave I realised I had forgotten to put the toddlers shoes on, they were still in the car. Now off to do the shopping, hang on its 11:30 and toddlers bedtime. I thought to myself "start driving and see how she is when we get closer to the shops". Sure enough both baby and toddler were alseep with in 5-10 minutes. Looks like we were going home!

How many things did I forget and how many silly things did I do in the space of just a couple of hours? And it is not unusual for me to have days like this. Would you call that baby brain or just being a busy mum!