Guest Blogger: and here's to you, Mrs. Robinson

While I am out on my little maternity leave, I have an entire line of guest bloggers set up for you! I am so grateful for each of these ladies who have stepped up to help me out. First up is Megan from {and here's to you, Mrs. Robinson}. I love reading her blog; it's so refreshing and honest and uplifting.

Take it away, Megan!

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Before I became a mother, I had a whole list of things I was going to do every day

and things I refused to ever do.

I thought I knew how it would go down.
I set high expectations for myself and my baby {who I had yet to meet}.
And because I had such high standards, if I didn't live up to them I thought I was a terrible mother.

There were many times I would read books, articles, and yes, some other mommy blogs and think,
"I don't do that. My baby doesn't do that. What is wrong with us?"

I would beat myself up so much about it that at times it was hard for me to enjoy what was really there.

And what was really there was a happy, loving, beautiful baby boy who loved me.
A healthy, chubby son with big brown eyes and a head full of baldness.
A crazy mover and shaker who refused to stay still and taught himself to roll, crawl, and walk very early on.
A new, eternal, incredible bond between my son and I that I would cherish forever.
And all of the other wonderful things that come with motherhood.

It took me a while but I eventually learned my most important lesson of motherhood:
I AM THE MOTHER.
I am the mother. Me. Not my neighbor, not my friend, not other bloggers, not even my doctor.
Me.
And only I know my baby best.
I know how he likes to be held at night to go to sleep.
I know how he likes to cuddle, feeling safe and warm in my arms.
I know how he eats, sleeps, and likes to play.
I know how he learns and how he interacts.
I know.
I know.

Yes, books and friends and blogs all have their place.
There were many times where I was at a complete loss and needed to turn to someone for help and they were there. But it was still very important that I used my own gut and intuition to know what was right for me and my son.

My son and I are both very happy even though most of the things I said I would do {or never do} didn't actually happen.
He is happy because I learned to recognize his needs, his temperament, and let him be himself.
I am happy because I have lowered the expectations for myself greatly and have tried to take it day by day, enjoying all the sweet moments.

Motherhood is not easy. Nor is it the same experience for everyone.
We are all different. Our children are different.
But we are all meant to be together with our children for a reason.

I know my son was meant specifically for me.
I know he was meant to bring special blessings only meant for me.
He brings me such great happiness that I never thought was possible.
And when I remember to trust myself and my own abilities, the stresses of living up to an unknown standard melts away and I am able to be the best mother to my son that I can be.

A Random Look into My Past Week

Just a few random photos/stories from the happenings around my house this week...

THIS is what happens when I'm trying to clean up raspberry applesauce out of the carpet in the hallway (Dont' ask. Had something to do with one little boy stealing another little boy's blue spoon, therefore leaving Boy B with no spoon?  I don't know.  There were two spoons on the table.  Why they needed to run their applesauce down the hallway is beyond me):

A 24oz bottle of Comet all over the kitchen floor.  Because Mom obviously wasn't A) frustrated enough at the red stains in the carpet and B) not busy enough cleaning those said stains out of the carpet and needed something else to do at that very moment. 

Luckily, I have an amazing husband, who, when he receives a phone call from his pregnant wife in tears over her already horrible day that had just become 100 times worse, leaves work early to take over cleaning and parenting duties.  Otherwise, those two little boys may still be sitting out on the curb.  (I will say, that as soon as David got home, my attitude improved greatly!  And, after consoling myself with some more ice cream and a good nights sleep, the next day was drastically better!  And no, I would never really put my children out on the curb).


This is one of the many lizards hanging out in our backyard this year.  He looks much smaller in this photo, but he is the length of my husband's hand...from thumb to pinkie.  He was very tame and calm, and almost let David catch him.   Almost.  That's okay.  I don't want and/or need two little boys figuring out that they can, indeed, catch the lizards if they really want to.

And this is my 20 week belly shot.  Had just rolled out of bed, so no hair.  No make up.  Pretty, right?  Anyway...so far this is still my "miracle" baby.  20 weeks and have still only gained 6 pounds.  My goal this go around is no more than 15.  And let it go on record, that if by some miracle, at the end of my 6 week recovery period I can end up weighing less than I did when I started this pregnancy, this WILL be my favorite child.  :)

There's our crazy week!  What went on at your house this week?

A Great "Mommy" Article!

My husband sent me this article not even 5 minutes ago (by the way? I love that he found it while he's at work...love that he's thinking of me!!), and I LOVED it.  I laughed and cried all the way through it.  It's all totally true; a pretty good run down for first time moms and a great reminder for those of us who are continually beating ourselves up for our mothering and/or housekeeping skills.


Anyway, check it out!!

{Motherhood 101: The First Year | Kate Conner}


And seriously?  You may as well just start with her most recent articles.  They're amazing.  Just saying.

Things Are A Changin'!

 Yep!  Baby Number 3.  Which will also help explain why I've been so hit or miss on the blog and my shop lately.  But. We are super excited and my oldest is positive that it's a girl.  Guess we'll see soon enough!

This photo was also how we announced our pregnancy to our family and close friends.  I just turned it into a card (thank you, Costco!), dropped them in the mail and waited for the phone calls to start pouring in.

So get ready...this little blog will soon be full of all sorts of baby/nursery/pregnancy stuff!

Days Like These

Some days, I feel like the worst mom in the world.

Yesterday was one of those days.

Lots of fighting,

lots of yelling,

lots of tears.

It wasn't pretty.

I have two very strong willed children.

One is especially more strong willed than the other.

They both get that from me.

I'm glad they're so strong willed, and hope it will serve them well...

I always tell them to use that "power" for good rather than evil.

But when you have so many strong willed personalities that disagree on something 

(in our house it's nap time and bed time),

there is bound to be some major clashing.

Anyway.  On days like yesterday, I find myself desperately needing something like this.

And even if you're not a member of my faith, 

I'm sure that as a mother you can appreciate the message

and feel uplifted and refreshed by it.

It works for me every time.