As a mother to young children, there's a phrase I hear often. It's one of those phrases that latches on and rattles around in my mind at the most inopportune times, like when I'm lying in bed at night and the house is quiet. I'm fairly certain the phrase isn't easily shaken because of the weight and truth it carries. You know the one, I'd be willing to bet you've heard it, too. Before you know it... When I was exhausted and miserable during my third trimester. Before you know it, she'll be here. When I was holding a sweet newborn, swaddled tightly in my arms. Before you know it, she'll be walking around. When I was introducing her to … [Read more...]
newborn thoughts, it’s different now
I'm writing this post with a sleeping baby in my lap. I know I should probably put him down, but his hand is sweetly touching the side of my arm and when I start to lay him down his grip tightens just a bit. I know he won't wake up, he's a great sleeper. He's content and laid back and everything I hoped my newborn would be. I just can't lay him down. Not right now. When Braylen was born everyone was adamant that I should soak up this time. Don't get me wrong here, of course I did. Against the premise that I might spoil her, against the premise that I might get her off schedule. I held her tightly. I remember smelling of her sweet hair and closing my eyes tightly, … [Read more...]
dear working mom, i feel it too
I wrote this last year for Courtney Defeo's blog, I'm going to work today after a much needed, unexpected break and I couldn't think of a better way to start this Monday. The guilt is certainly alive and well on this cold and cloudy Monday morning, but I also know I have a great group waiting on me once I get to work and that eases the sting a bit. A few weeks ago, I received an email from a fellow working mother who simply ask, how do you manage to not feel the guilt when you leave your little one at home? Immediately I felt like a bit of a fake, not feel the guilt? Is that even possible? It was one of those times when I felt like my 12-point Arial font just wouldn't be … [Read more...]