The day in a life of a stay at home mom...

it can go well or not so well. I love my children and appreciate the opportunity that I get to see them grow up myself and not through a daycare provider's eye during the day. But there are times when being a SAHM is just not all it's supposedly cracked up to be.

The hours are long and demands can be high. There is no daily commute to unwind and destress. Some days it is a struggle to go to the bathroom by myself or eat my own lunch. The little one recently went through a phase where he wanted to be held constantly. If you put him down, he crawls after you with this pitiful cry. Trying to get household chores done is a nightmare. Most often we are attempting to clean after the kids are in bed. It's a 24/7 job.

Payment is received in hugs & kisses and those adorable moments you wish you could catch on film forever. Seeing your son experience his firsts, spending time with Ariana before she enters her elementary years. I know what's going on with my kids 24/7. We can play outside on a moment's whim or lay together on the floor and watch a movie. These are the times that are priceless to me and I will cherish forever.

Yes, being a stay at home mom can have it's days, but it's also fun with it's challenges.

A smile remembered

It's coming up on the anniversary of Julie's passing. Julie was a woman I met through my work at TWC. She found out she had recurrent breast cancer not long after I started working at the agency. I can vividly remember everyone sitting in the office waiting as she got the news. She put on such a brave face and of course tried to make a joke about losing her hair. While the time I knew her was brief, she made an impact on my life.

She loved life and had this beautiful smile. She knew how to have fun. This was a woman who had experienced immense heartache in her life, but you would never know it by looking at her. There was a depth of wisdom in her eyes and a kindness that just made you want to share your sorrows. She was always willing to lend a hand. The love for her family was easily viewable as she spoke of them.

It's been almost a year since she left her place on earth, but she is not forgotten.

Julie, you are missed.

For more info on breast cancer and what you can do to help fight it, visit the Susan G. Komen website: http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

New things

This was a big week for me.

I got new glasses last week (love them!).
I got a sander as I'd like to refinish our kitchen table this summer. (Jason says I'm way ambitious)
I got a new cell phone. (it's a camera phone, and has way too many gadets)
I got a Cricut, die-cut scrapbooking machine. (On sale, and a splurge tax return item)

Big week for new toys!

Four years

Four years since the US went into Iraq. I was pregnant with Ariana. It seems so long ago. I'm not going to debate the should've, could've, would'ves at the moment. But I sit in wonder at the thought that my children have only been present in a world where we are at war. What does this mean for them? What does the future hold for my children, and all those children living in Iraq? How do I explain what is occuring? The 4yo mind isn't really enough to understand the complexity of politics, terrorism, and all the lives lost over the last four years. It's just something I think about, and think about often.

The end is near...

The end of formula and reflux medication that is. Phoenix saw the pedi GI doc this morning for a recheck and he's doing superbly! We'll give it another two months and then if he's doing well yet, we can wean him off the meds. WOOHOO!! We'll have a baby who is off formula and meds around his first birthday hopefully!!

Warm weather

It's over 50 degrees today!!! Spring is on it's way. Of course by Thursday it's supposed to be back in the 30's, but I'll take what I can get. Gotta love March in Wisconsin.

Goodnight Moon & other tales

I came across this poem the other week and it defines how I feel about reading to my children in a simple way. We end each day with stories and read during the day. The imagination of a child is a beautiful thing and reading books helps their imagination.

The Reading Mother

I had a Mother who read me things
That wholesome life to a child's heart brings
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh that every Mother were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold.
You may have caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a mother who read to me.

~ Strickland Gillilan

Tiny Baby

I was able to visit a woman this past Saturday who gave birth on Thursday to a beautiful 2lb 2oz baby girl. Mom has been in the hospital on bedrest for preeclampsia for about 3 weeks, I believe. It was wonderful to be able to support her in person and she was crying tears of appreciation when K and I arrived, she was just so thankful. Mom and dad are so proud of their little one and rightly so. She is beautiful. We were lucky enough to see her and she's got the cutest little nose. K's daughter was born roughly the same gestation and spent time in the same NICU, so for her this was a normal baby. For me, while Ariana was small at 4lbs, it took some time to wrap my mind around that this baby is half the size she was.

We sat and chatted with mom and dad for a while and mom wanted us to meet some of her nurses. Or rather, her nurses meet us. ;-) It was great to see how our support has made such a large difference in this family's life. Over and over they thanked us. She kept saying she'd find a way to repay us, but we told her to pay it forward. We were happy to be there for her, as there was no one like that for us when we went through our experience.

As we left, K and I agreed that this was what it's all about. Raising awareness and finding the cause & a cure for preeclampsia is important, but supporting families who are in crisis is where it's at. Honestly it reminded me a great deal of the work I did as a sexual assault advocate. To support the person when others cannot understand. I find a great deal of similarities between the two and it has helped me with the work I have done and am doing.

So, please send good thoughts to baby. She's doing great, but can use all the good thoughts possible.

My Lil' Man

Is he just not the cutest thing you ever did see?

Snow Photos

Love him

Walking up behind you, my warm breath falling on the back of your neck as I wrap my arms around your waist. My lips gently press on the back of your neck as I take your hands into mine. Leaning in close to your ear, whispering gently, "I'll be all right"

It's private. ;-)

More F*ing Snow!

We are forecasted to end up with 8-12 inches by Sat am. We need to move south!!!

Good music, good times

Tuesday evening I was childfree and having a great time. The Goo Goo Dolls were playing in Madison and I enjoyed the show with my aunt, her friend, and my cousin. We had a wonderful time!!

The opening band, Augustana, was very good and we purchased their CD. http://www.augustanamusic.com/ is their website. Young, but cute and they play good music. ;)

We met this hilarious couple at the bar beforehand and then they found us at the concert. We were laughing hysterically.

It was a fun night and I enjoyed my little escape.