Reflection Part One

(Photo: Bing Images)

Motherhood. By far, my biggest achievement of the year! To be even more accurate, my entire life!

A lot of people are asking me how I'm balancing motherhood and my career.  Let's be honest here.  I bounce back and forth constantly with being a SAHM or a teacher. I miss him when I'm at work and constantly stare at his picture on my desk.  However, this gigantic transition has been pretty smooth because I have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes care of him and us.  I also have a job that allows me to be home early enough to spend quality time with him.

I am now a mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend, and teacher. I am trying to balance it all and yet still find time for me. Not an easy task, but worth every second. It has been a beautiful year.

My sister has two children and is currently taking courses to pursue a second masters.  She mentioned the fact that I need to give up something.  I chose technology.  I'm not on the phone much anymore, Facebook for a quick check, even my blog is suffering! Sigh.

Back to my focus, my reason for writing this. My title is Reflection and I am reflecting on what I have learned so far about motherhood. (Hopefully I don't sound too harsh!)

1.  It's important not to forget about yourself. You still need some days and/or nights without the baby. What happened to the pictures of your world (ie: friends) before the baby? I try to have nights out with my husband, family, or friends without taking Jake.  I love my son with my whole heart, but this still needs to happen every once in awhile.

2. Working doesn't make anyone any less of a mother.  Don't feel guilty if you need or want to go back to work.  There are perks to being at work believe it or not.  A social worker at my school mentioned she enjoys her 40 minute lunch breaks and bathroom breaks without interruptions! (lol)

3. Ignore those that don't agree with you not breastfeeding.  Congrats to all the mothers who accomplished breastfeeding.  It takes a lot of time and dedication.  However, you don't know why that mother is not breastfeeding.  Perhaps it was an easy decision or there was a problem or complication.  If you see a bottle of formula RELAX, the baby is still receiving good nutrition. 

4. Ignore the milestones that other children have.  I can't stand comparisons.  Take a moment to compare yourself with someone that is in your life.  Notices the differences?  We are all meant to be different.  Look different, act different, etc. Life would be incredibly boring if we were all the same. Same concept with babies. Differences should be embraced not judged.

5. Ignore the "perfect babies"!! So a baby is meeting his or her milestones, never cries, always smiles, sleeps through the night pretty much since birth, and so on. We have all met "those" before. Well I think when your kid turns 18 and is still considered perfect, then I'll high five you! :)

(One of my nephew's had to sleep in a car seat for months after birth because his acid reflux was so bad and another nephew of mine constantly cried.  Both are now amazing young men who have made some impressive decisions in their lives.)

6. Best advice given to me: Do what you feel is best and when you're ready to do it.  If you're not ready to take your baby out to the store solo, it's okay, TRUST ME!  I had a c-section (6 weeks to recover!) and a husband who works a lot of hours and I truly didn't feel comfortable with doing this.  I now live by those words given to me. Ignore what others think....... 

I love my son and that's all that matters.

Stocking Ideas

(Photo: Pinterest)

Christmas is around the corner!  What are you asking for this year?  Is it just me, or are a lot of adult Christmas stockings neglected??   Maybe it's just mine?! 

As a kid, I could always rely on some small gift(s) in my stocking.  As an adult, my stocking simply became nothing more than a decoration for our fireplace.
Well it's time to bring the tradition back to life! I'm asking my husband for some goodies in my stocking this year. My stocking will no longer be for decoration use only! :)

If you're thinking your stocking needs some TLC this year, here's several of my favorite products that can make for some great stocking stuffers:

1.    Alien Perfume- strange name, but I've received a lot of compliments.  I've been using this for years, an oldie but goodie in my book. 

2.  Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant-my absolute favorite.  The scent is heavenly!

3. Diorshow Mascara-hands down the best mascara out there.  Pair it with the Diorshow Maximizer Lash Primer=amazing!

4. Kiehl's Creme de Corps body lotion-a lifesaver during these cold, dry winter months. 

5. EOS lip balm-odd shape, but comes in many different flavors.  Try the sweet mint, it's my fave.

Or if you feel like you've been extra nice this year and not naughty, ask "Santa" for something like a wallet. I recently purchased this Kate Spade wallet.  (What can I say? I'm a sucker for polka dots!)

Any ideas for my stocking?  Any products out there that you adore?

"My Auntie from NY is in...

...and she took all of these adorable pictures of me."

Thanks Katrina-we all missed you!

Hot Chocolate 5K

So I... didn't train as much as I should have for this race.
So I...don't really exercise. That includes running. Sad, I know.

So I ...ate donuts, sweets, (thank you teachers lounge)
and leftover Halloween candy the entire week before the race.

So I... decided to "let loose" at my cousin's daughter's benefit the night before.

What really matters about this race is the fact I have a friend that wouldn't leave my side.

We almost missed the race, ran (like the people in the airport scene in the movie Home Alone) to get to the race, joined a random corral last minute, and danced to Gangnam Style at the starting line. 

Once we began the race, she ran next to me and kept encouraging me to continue. (If it wasn't for her, I probably would've stopped about 10 times!)  Joanna ran a half marathon so trust me when I say a 5K is a warm up for her!

With Thanksgiving around the corner....I am thankful to have such an amazing friend in my life.

PS:

Did I mention how fun she is?  She took this pic w/me even though she didn't break a sweat.

Love you Jo!

Dear Jake, (0-4 Months)

So on Daddy's birthday (last night) we decided to put you in your crib for the WHOLE night!  It was a big deal to Mommy because the sound of you breathing right next to me, made me feel so incredibly relaxed, content, and happy.  

There are things I don't want to forget to tell you--moments that we shared together as a family.  Here is a list that I kept for the past three months.  (From birth till present, in no particular order):

Our families camped out in the waiting room and occupied the entire space anxiously waiting for you to arrive! Two of your aunts stayed at the hospital for forty eight hours, refusing to go home because they wanted to meet you so badly.  You put mommy through 42 hours of labor so I expect for your number to be 42 when you grow up to play sports! :)

Your first cry was the most amazing sound that we have ever heard.  I could finally breathe after so many months of worrying about you!

The three of us shared alone time together in our private room before they took you to the nursery so that everyone else could see you.  Daddy and I had tears streaming down our cheeks, holding you for the very first time together as a family. 

You had on "MC Hammer" pants in the hospital as part of your departure outfit.  You couldn't fit into a newborn size, so we had to put you in three months pants.  I couldn't look at you without laughing because those pants were gigantic on you and it hurt Mommy's boo boo too much to laugh!  

I cried in the car on the way home from the hospital when a Rockabye Baby Coldplay song came on.  It was so fitting and I felt so blessed staring at you.

Daddy went above and beyond taking care of me & you in the hospital and at home. Our love for each other soared and reached an entirely new level.  

You sometimes make this adorable "ahhhh" sound while you sleep. 

Your smiles melt my heart!  You smile the most when you are sleeping, when you first wake up, and whenever you are trying to have a conversation.

You have so many different poses that you create while you sleep. 

You clench your fists while you drink your milk.

I love watching your feet move around while I feed you.  You are so content when you are eating--you get that from me because I love to eat!! :)

When you play "in the zoo" you love grabbing the dangling animals and you try to talk to them. 

I love to kiss your tiny little toes and feet!

There is no one on Earth better to snuggle with than you!

Daddy gives you more baths than Mommy.  Mommy is terrified to bathe you, so Daddy takes over and  is convinced you are the next Michael Phelps!

I love the way you touch the back of your hair.  You make this curious face and it is as if you are thinking "what is this?"   

I love to hold you and dance around the house with you in my arms and when I'm changing your diapers, sometimes I do a little dance by snapping my fingers and swaying back and forth and you always have the biggest smile!

Mini milestones:
Oct. 2nd: you did a 360 on your playmat.

Oct 6th: you turned on your side.

Oct. 11th: you flipped yourself around and landed on your tummy!

I love you so much Jake and can't wait for more special moments with you!

Love, Mommy (& Daddy)