To the stay at home mom

I will preface this post by saying I am not "knocking" the job of a stay at home mom.  I know it's hard work. I know you have a lot to do and being with kids all day can sometimes drive you crazy and you long to converse with adults and be normal.  I know some of you have sacrificed a lot maybe financially to be able to stay at home and it's not easy money wise.  Again, I am not dissing you or your job as a stay at home mom.  I am simply expressing that the next time you feel frustrated that your child won't nap, pitches a fit, makes a mess or gets on your last nerve, think of the working mother who would give her left arm to be able to experience all of these moments.  Because not only does she miss the bad times, she misses the good ones as well.  Not only does she have to spend time with her child just at night and on the weekends, but she also has to fit in the laundry, the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the cooking, the husband, her friends, errands, etc, etc, etc in that limited amount of time as well.  As I spend my last week at home, I have so many fears, doubts, anxiety, tears and uncertainty.  All I can do is give it to God, but it's not very easy to do.  While I have found 2 wonderful ladies to take care of my sweet baby girl, I resent the fact that I have to pay someone to do what I would gladly do in a heartbeat, all day everyday, myself.  I am blessed to have gotten to spend 12 weeks with my little girl as I know others don't get to take off that long of time after having a baby.  As I try to focus on the positive, the negative just keeps creeping in with every minute that passes me by.  I am about to embark on the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  Working full time as a physical therapist & running my clinic, being a wife, being a mother, being a maid, being a cook, taking care of the dogs, studying for my McKenzie certification exam in November, staying in shape by attending two 6am boot camp classes per week and then walking at least with Wylie the other days, and keeping up my Christian walk with Bible study and small group.  All at the beginning of football season, our busiest time of the year until December.  And both sets of grandparents are 45+ minutes away. Deep breaths.  Deep breaths.  Deep breaths. 

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 1 Chronicles 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength;  seek his presence continually!

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

To the Stay at Home Mom:

To those lucky few,
I truly envy you.
You say it's hard
and I know this is true.

But what is more so,
is when you have to go.
When you are not where you want to be,
which is with your baby.

You aren't missing them
because you are there.
You aren't wondering and worrying
For they are in your care.

You don't have the guilt
You've got more time.
The balancing act of work and being a mommy
Just doesn't seem to align.

So next time your frustrated while being at home,
Think about me and just change your tone.

For I would love to be there for it all.
For every mess, every diaper, every tantrum and fall.

For every kiss, every cuddle, every breath, every sigh.
Every game, every milestone, every laugh, every cry.

I wish I could have extra time in my day.
How will I be a working mom and wife?
All I can do is pray. 

The learning curve of being a mom

10 weeks is a good amount of time.  I've enjoyed every minute (mostly) & learned a ton.  I'm very sad over only having 2 weeks left at home with her but I know it's all God's will and timing and He will provide our way and make it all work for us.  Luckily, I work close to home so I'm thankful for that!  I have complied a list of the things I've learned thus far and just updating from my last blog where I must have looked like a doomed mother.  Wylie has been super healthy ever since getting over her infection and things have gotten so much easier.  It's not always easy, but it's much better! God truly was giving me the strength and skills He knew I would need to care for this little firecracker.  He gave me the strength to let the little things go and not worry over every little thing like some moms can tend to do.  My heart and emotions have gained strength and I'm a tougher, better mother for it.

1.  Play mats are the best.  I know the music from it by heart.
2.  Wylie hates her swing.  She would rather be active/moving. Glad I just borrowed one to see instead of buying!
3.  Swaddle blankets are da bomb.  The instant calm and smile when she knows she is about to be swaddled is like magic!
4.  The book "Moo, baa, la la la."  I can quote it word for word. I need Rain Drop Plop and the Llama series too! I had those memorized from babysitting days in grad school.
5.  White noise is essential. We like rain.
6.  Lavender essential oil is essential.
7.  So is DiGize.
8.  So is an amazing, helpful, loving husband. I feel so sorry for single mothers.  Caleb has been my rock.
9.  So is an amazing mom to help you and encourage you and that knows exactly how you like everything done from the dogs, the laundry, the cleaning, the feeding, the diaper changing.  I'm so lucky she is willing to come help us so much.  And a thrifty mother in law that can find amazing deals on toys, clothes, etc makes life easier too.  Wylie is abundantly blessed and well dressed!
10.  Sleep is overrated. But we are finally getting about 8 hours straight a night!
11.  I will never get it all done.  Yes, I learned that.  I will need a constant reminder daily.
12.  I will never have time to blog again once I return to work.  Or cook probably.  Or shop.  Or clean.
13.  I will have a happy baby to love on and that's what is most important.
14.  I can never take enough pictures of her. Sorry to my FB and instagram followers. 
15.  I need a 32 gig iPhone storage capacity.
16.  Never ever get dressed until the last minute before leaving, or be draped completely in a towel and burp cloth if you are.
17.  Naps are important.  For the baby too.
18.  Baby milestones are so fun to feed my desire to accomplish and achieve things! So proud of my girl!
19.  Baby smiles are pretty much the greatest thing ever.
20.  When babies poop, it's pretty hilarious to watch.
21.  When Caleb cover his nose with his shirt while changing a poopy diaper is also hilarious to watch.
22.  Baby cries all sound different.  There are "push out cries" (not really anything is wrong), "horror movie cries" (hurting or super mad), "cat in a garbage disposal cries" (just complaining), and the obvious "wet, feed me, I'm tired" cries. Caleb and I enjoy naming them.
23.  Eat. Poop. Wake. Sleep.  It's pretty basic.
24.  Strollers are hard to push up big hills.
25.  Baby cuddles are the sweetest.
26.  Keep burp cloths in every room.  On every table.
27.  Basements make great diaper hoarding facilities.
28.  Sophie is NOT a $23 dog toy.  Do NOT squeak around the dogs.
29.  Dolly likes to eat pacifiers. So keep them out of her reach.
30.  I never knew I would take such pride and joy in loud burps.
31.  Baby feet are like my new obsession.
32.  Baby talk is adorable.
33.  Clipping fingernails is terrifying.  
34.  Their hair just won't lay down.  Just stick a head band or bow in it and get on with your day.
35.  The Otteroo is by far my most recommended baby accessory.
36.  The vacuum cleaner is perfect white noise.
37.  The Ergo baby carrier is a life saver.  Those other carrier/wrap systems confuse the heck outta me no matter how many You Tube videos I watch.
38.  They don't need special detergent. 
39.  Car rides, stroller rides and buggy rides are instant sleep aides.
40.  Babies smell amazing.
41.  I will never use all the baby shampoo, soap and lotion I have.
42.  When they wake up and stretch, I melt into a puddle.  It's the most adorable thing ever when she opens her eyes and smiles at me. 
43.  Life will never be the same and that's perfectly fine.
44.  Date nights at home with my family are little pieces of heaven.
45.  Every kid needs a dog.  Especially a crazy German Shepherd and silly bloodhound.
46.  There is no other love like this.
47.  It was all worth it.