Thursday, September 30, 2010

I'm a Mom and I love it


I know we all feel blah sometimes. I sometimes get sick of the same old routine day after day. I was really feeling the itch to have some alone time. We also really needed food- so I did my October grocery shopping two days before October even started- how does that always happen?

Staying at home with Maggie is what I want to do- I am so lucky that I can stay home. But sometimes I get antsy. For 22 years of my life I was pretty much selfish all of the time. (At least I will admit it. ) And then one day- I had a baby. My whole life changed and was kind of turned upside down. My life now revolved around my family.

My day consists of straightening the house 5 times a day, making meals, doing the dishes, folding laundry, changing diapers, and playing with a 10 month old. Some days I just want a printed list to show everything that I accomplished that day. But when the house is a mess again after I just cleaned it and there are a ton of dishes in the sink after cooking dinner and my feet hurt- I don't feel like I accomplished much.

When I worked in my old jobs- I had a boss that gave me positive feedback and I accomplished everything on my to-do list. I also had co-workers to compare myself to and make myself feel good. I interacted with people and could see the positive influence I was in their life. With a baby- I don't get the feedback. Most days- I am fine- I can take it. I know that Maggie loves me and that's all I need. But I know I have days where I just want to be recognized. Like those days where I am wearing my favorite outfit and someone comments on it- totally makes my WEEK!

Why do I like recognition? Am I really that narcissistic? Maybe because as a Mom, I sacrifice some of my loves in life for something greater? I used to be really good at tennis! And I used to be really good at the piano and practiced hours everyday. And I used to be smart- was even a valedictorian at my ghetto high school. I still love to play the piano, tennis, swim, and sew. But I just don't get to do whatever I want when I want to anymore.

So, needless to say- Wednesday afternoon I was feeling lost- where am I? I needed a date with myself. So Wednesday night, when Brad got home from Savior of the World practice, I headed to Costco- ALONE!!! at 8:00 right before they close. It was so nice. I walked up and down most aisles noticing 100s of items I wanted. I gave in to two of those superfluous items (not the Christmas tree I want so desperately). I LOVE COSTCO. I don't necessarily think I save a ton of money having a membership but I think they have amazing products and great quality that you can't get anywhere else. I go to this store for fun!

Today- Brad had it on his calendar to work from home so I could go to a piano workshop this morning. Since he was going to be home the whole day- I jam packed my schedule. Right after the workshop, I went visiting teaching. Then I went to the outlets to make some exchanges and returns. My final stop was Super Wal-Mart for my huge month's shopping. By the end of my "alone" day- I was exhausted. I was starving. I was tired. I had a headache. (probably not the best mood for a wife ;-))

I came home, made dinner, had my last piano lessons, sent Brad to play practice, and put Maggie to bed. And tonight- all I feel is exhausted-from shopping all day. Shopping is fun but it definitely does not bring the kind of fulfillment I get from being with Maggie.

I missed her so much. When I got home- she was so excited to see me and I was so excited to see her. This is really what it is all about- FAMILY! There is nothing I would rather do or work for. I loved the Visiting Teaching message this month. I love The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Even though this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do- I would bring it upon myself again and again if I had the choice. There is nothing in life that even comes close to this. Sometimes I have to step outside of my little bubble to realize just how much I love my life.

I also felt really good when I got home and the house was a mess and Brad said, "It's really hard to get anything done around here." Tomorrow- I just want to be a mom again and go to the park!


Thanks for reading the long post.

(This is what I missed today- wearing Daddy's flip flops)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

9 months?


No- I am not pregnant. But Maggie turned 9 months old last week. It is crazy to think that she has been out of me for longer than she was in my tummy.

We Love Maggie. Her doctor's appointment was today and she was a champ. 3 shots and she only cried for about 10 seconds.

Here are her stats:

Height: 29 inches, 89%
Weight: 21 pounds even, 82%
Head: 18.5 inches, 99%

She is growing fast- she gained 6 pounds since her 6 month check up- holy cow! She is a chub. Her carseat limit is 22lbs so we have to go shopping!

Maggie at 9 months likes to......
  • scoot around everywhere
  • laugh at her dad a lot
  • eat yogurt
  • play picaboo with her blanket
  • play with the piano pedals
  • follow her mom everywhere around the apartment
  • get into everything that she shouldn't
  • sleep 12+ hours at night (I am so lucky)
  • take two naps during the day
  • swing at the park
  • outgrow her clothes way too fast
  • poke people's eyes
  • pull people's hair
Maggie's favorite thing to do right now is definitely take a bath- she loves it. She stays in there for close to an hour some days.

This is her new sour face
Making a mess in the high chair
Playing picaboo with a bowl
She likes to help me cook- the little chef!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Recent Top Ten (in no particular order)


1. My Friend Natalie from Merced came for a quick- 1 day visit before she left for a mission trip to El Salvador.
2. I started a new semester of piano lessons- it is going well! I also organized all of my piano music in magazine holders.

3. Brad has decided he wants to go to law school (not sure how soon...)

4. Maggie is scooting and can get pretty much anywhere.

5. Had a fun girls' night in honor of my friend Erin, who just moved to Georgia- bummer.

6. I made a monthly menu with some of my sisters- it is awesome.

7. I have been to the gym at least 4 times a week for the past 4 weeks!

8. We drove 12 hours to North Carolina to visit my sister Cami and her husband, Tim. Maggie was a champ!

9. We hiked to the top of a gorgeous mountain with Cami, Tim, Sean, and Ashley. The view was amazing!

10. We got to hang out with the Fifes; got a tour of their perfect new house, played games, ate yummy food, got Cookout shakes two days in a row!, went swimming at an awesome pool, went to church, played Pandemic , rode in the trunk of our car?, toured Sean and Ashley's house, and competed in Couples Mario Kart (best of three- we lost ;-( ) It was quite the weekend!