{Stuff}

Last night, while I was trying to turn my brain off to go to sleep, I had a mini eureka. This might stem for my persistent need to organize everything in my life these days, but I started thinking about this blog. For a few weeks, I've toyed with the idea of changing the title, even reserving a couple of candidates on Blogspot, just incase. No matter what I thought, nothing seemed to fit. The {stuff} is what makes me..me and what makes my life crazy and complete. So. In an effort to organize my thoughts, my posts and this blog, I'm going to switch the format around a bit and focus on the {stuff}. I'm going to share {Stuff} I love, {Stuff} I've tried, {Stuff} I've gone and of course {Stuff}ed full of Adventures, the places that we've gone with our tiny human and grumpy mutt. I'm excited to start to focus on the content and the posts that are truly a part of me as a wife, mom and social media professional. Stay tuned!

Advice to myself

*Quote created using Rhonna Designs* 

If I knew then...

I'm lucky enough to be at that age, where my friends keep having babies! Some of my friends are on to kid #2 or kid #3, but a few are waiting on their number one. As a pretty new mom, I'm doing my best to keep my mouth shut and to only weigh in when asked. If you know me in person, you know that this is no less than a monumental task. When the urge to insert myself strikes, I take a step back and remember how much fun it was to figure things out. So whether my friend asks, or we decide to have a number two, I wanted to make sure that I captured just a few things that I wish I would have known when my B was still a bun in the oven, cooking away.

1. Ask your momma friends and really listen. I know that I asked, but I didn't retain or realize how much they could have helped provide support, insight and guidance.
2. Selectively read the Internet. Find what works for you and what speaks to you and do that (within reason, of course). Sometimes it provides the validation that you aren't a crazy person, which is much needed when you are a new mom.
3. Think about phases. When you register, think about what you need now, what you'll need then, and what you'll need later. Prioritizing into those buckets will help make sure that your registry isn't' filled with burp cloths and receiving blankets.
4. Get done what you can get done and cut yourself a break. Do what you can do while you feel good and before you feel huge. So what if your nursery is done before you're even 6 months along? When your ankles are swollen, you'll thank yourself.
5. Download the apps. There are so many that give you lots of tips and information about your body, your baby and your pregnancy. They were a wealth of knowledge and let you digest everything in easy to read nuggets. My favorites: BabyCenter, Pampers Hello Baby, What To Expect Baby, What to Expect Pregnancy, iBreastffeed (from Medela). I loved seeing what he looked like each week and learning about how his little brain and body were developing. The BabyCenter community was great for reading about crazy pregnancy symptoms and feelings.
6. Explore an herbal and holistic approach. This was something that never dawned on me until close to the end of my pregnancy. I happened to walk into Petali teas, a small tea shop in Granville, OH, looking for something delicious and decaf. The tea that was recommended was a French Lemon Cream flavor. The owner informed me that this particular tea has been used by women in South Africa to help prevent colic in babies. When I found that out, I started drinking it daily. B never had colic and I don't know if it can be attributed to the tea, but I can say that someday when I have Baby #2, that tea will be a part of my daily routine. Buy your own here, direct from Petali Teas (they ship direct to you)!!!
7. Keep an open mind. Remember that you can plan everything, down to the delivery and hospital, but that your body and baby are the boss of the moment. Be prepared and brace yourself so that if you are thrown a curve ball, you can adapt.
8. Be in awe. Take a few minutes to think about what is happening to you and realize the gravity of the miracle that you are carrying in your belly. Before, during and shortly after my pregnancy, I took a lot of things for granted. I took for granted the ease in which I was able to become pregnant. I took for granted the lack of "pregnancy symptoms" - meaning - I had a really EASY pregnancy. I took for granted a very easy delivery - so easy that I literally said, as I was being cleaned up that, "it wasn't that bad, I could do that again!" I took for granted my very healthy, happy awesome, baby boy. Not everyone gets to experience the miracle that I got to experience. Not everyone has such an "easy" journey to motherhood.

Finally

Honestly, our whole family has been going insane. I'm sick of inside being the only option. Poor Chino is going insane, since the cold weather means no family strolls. The fact that he still goes insane, as an almost 8 year old mutt makes me extremely happy, until he's outside barking like a maniac for no apparent reason. Earlier this week, we got a reprieve from the ridiculously cold temperatures and finally got to enjoy an evening stroll. B is all about the walking these days and I'm so happy that Nick captured this photo of me and my boys.

Editor's note: The real story about what's going on in this picture is that B doesn't like to have his hand held, and he's looking at me, trying to figure out how to escape. Chino is in between poops and inappropriate behavior directed toward neighborhood kids and pets. Even though this picture appears to be peaceful and tranquil, it is a snapshot of the chaos that I can't wait to get home to every night.

My first SO WHAT Wednesday!

I discovered a new blog, "Life After I Dew," thanks to my hair stylist Holly. Once I started reading, I was hooked. She's a mom, she isn't perfect and she shares REAL ideas (not just Pinterest beauty shots). One of her weekly posts is SO WHAT Wednesdays! So here is my very first go at it! 

This week, I'm saying SO WHAT if…

• I haven't done much laundry since Christmas. If I don't want to wear the clothes that are left in my drawers, it may be time to do a purge.
• I can't get my lazy butt out of bed to exercise in the morning. As long as I do it at some point in the day, that is winning and I'm going to stop beating myself up about it.
• I've continued to eat chocolate and sweets every day. If I give it up completely, it will just be a recipe for disaster.
• I'm walking more than I'm running these days. As long as I'm moving and the sweat is flowing, that's all that really matters.
• My days aren't perfect…I'm finding that the most perfect days rarely are.

What are you saying SO WHAT to this week?

A very important anniversary

It's official. I've been a working mom for one full year. I'm not normally one for documenting dates, but I remember this date without fail. I remember the emotions that I felt and the sadness that overcame me when I handed B over to his babysitter on that very first day. I'm so very glad for this blog because it is a place for me to remember and reflect on where I was and where I'm going.

I'll spare you the details about what it was like for me to return to work. I will say that if you are a working mommy that is heading back to or has headed back to work, whatever you are feeling is normal. If you are sad, that's ok. If you are excited, that's ok too. If you are depressed and feeling guilty, that's also ok. All of the emotions are normal. Whatever you are doing and thinking is right. Don't let someone else tell you how you should feel or react to an extremely emotional and difficult time. I will tell you that adjusting to your new normal takes a lot of time. Reflecting on the past year, I've realized that even when I thought I was doing a lot of things wrong, I was doing a lot more things right.

One of those Mommy Moments

Dear B.,

I just had one of those moments with you that I hope I never forget. I'm sitting here typing this with tears running down my face because my heart is so full. And just so you know, there isn't much that can make me cry besides you and your brother, Chino.

Tonight was just a typical Monday night. We had a minor dinner disaster, which forced us to pull out some leftover meatloaf from the freezer. Daddy had a conference call for work, so he was eating in the dining room, which meant that you and I had evening playtime to ourselves. You chose to read some books and play in your rocking chair.

You had to sit first and then I handed you your book.

As the clock ticked closer to 7:00, I noticed the telltale signs of bedtime. You get extra snuggly and sit still for more than just a few seconds. Lately, you love to listen to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Hickory Dickory Dock" play on my phone while curled up on my lap. When snuggles turned to whimpers, I asked if you were ready to brush your teeth.

You love to brush your teeth, so when I asked you, you squirmed off of my lap and RAN down the hall to the steps. When I opened the gate, you scrambled upstairs and marched into the bathroom, saying "teeth." We brushed and rinsed and then you ran down the hallway to your room for me to change your diaper, put you into your pajamas, read you a book and put you to bed.

Usually, I put you in your crib and you flip over to your belly and go right to sleep. Tonight was different though, and I'm not sure why. When I put you down, you immediately started to cry. Sometimes you cry a little while you get situated and comfortable, so I didn't come back to your room right away. Instead, I went to our bedroom to grab some laundry and then headed to the basement to throw it in the washing machine. When I came back upstairs, you were still crying, so I went to your room and picked you up. You stopped immediately.

We sat in the rocking chair and I sang you your favorite songs. We alternated between "You are my sunshine" and "1 little 2 little B's" singing some verses and humming others. You snuggled into my lap, leaned your head back, sucked your thumb and played with your blankets. When I had run through both songs several times, we just sat in silence while I rocked you. Your eyes were open but you were relaxed, still sucking your thumb and keeping a firm grip on your blankets. Finally, you took your thumb out of your mouth, looked up at me and put your hand on my face. We sat there for a few more quiet moments and then you leaned forward as if you were ready for bed. I stood up, said goodnight, put you down and off to dreamland you went.

Tonight, I took my own advice and lived in the moment with you. The dishes are still dirty, the laundry is piled up and there are toys all over the floor. I have work to do and emails to send, but tonight, you needed your mommy, so none of that mattered. Thank you for that moment that you gave me and for the pure joy you injected into my soul, it was as if you knew how much I needed it.

Love,
Momma