Confessions of a WAHM

WAHM stands for work at home mom. And I have to admit that often times being a WAHM is glamorized as this wonderful mesh of being a stay at home mom and having a career- you know being able to have it all. But you can't. It's hard, wonderful and frustrating all at the same time. I really wouldn't have it any other way- well unless I could be a stay at home mom sans the working.

Here are some of my confessions, as awkward as they may be:

Most days I don't find time to eat till at least one or possibly later.

Yesterday my baby was still in the pjs that she was put in the day before, after her bath.

I'm often distracted from work by the piles of laundry, dirty dishes, dust and of course that gorgeous baby making the cutest sounds.

Some days I am so stressed by work and everything I want to curl in a ball in cry.

It's rare when I actually get "dressed"

I don't have work hours so I usually work more then someone who actually goes to work.

I often am talking to clients as I am changing dirty diapers or wiping up spit up.

I love not dealing with the commute or waking up early to do my hair.

I love taking a break from work to roll on the floor with my baby.

Oh it's hard, really hard- but when I think of the alternative I remember how blessed I am. Even though I went back to work a week after Sadie was born, and it's been a whirlwind ever since, I like my job and I'm happy to help support my family.

Just a warning, if you happen to come over to my house unannounced, you will likely find me in stretchy pants an oversized t-shirt and hair stashed in a pony tail. Unfortunately, this is what Reid comes home to everyday.

Last Garbage Bag

Last week we used our last garbage bag. Is that a weird thing to blog about? Perhaps. We bought the box of garbage bags the week we moved into our house. That was two years and one month ago. I guess we are not a big trash family. That's got to make you feel good right?

Anyways, we are still busy. Sadie turns six months this week. She is rolling around, babbling, giggling, eating rice cereal and fruits and veggies. She is so happy. We love her. Last month we went to Las Vegas to visit Grandma and Grandad (my parents), Reid tried to get to Argentina and Peru (took a red-eye to JFK then an early morning flight to Atlanta to meet our brother in law who couldn't make the flight to ATL and then he turned around and came home to SLC) but it didn't work so he will try again this month, had our friends from Minnesotta come visit for a weekend and we took them snowboarding (two awesome days in a row), had Desi and Elliott and Reid's mom over which helped distract me from the crazy tests they were doing on me to determine if I had Crohn's disease (I don't thank goodness).

Now it's Sadie's first Easter and we are celebrating it in Southern Utah with Reid's mom! Sadie didn't really understand her easter basket but she loved playing with the grass! Here are some random pictures to enjoy:

The view from my desk while I work and Sadie plays

Sadie playing in her exersaucer

Sadie get's so excited when daddy comes home from work. Even if she's crying, hungry or tired- the second Reid steps in the door she's giggling and wants NOTHING to do with me anymore ; )

Sadie in Grandpa's (Reid's dad) truck

5 things we have been up to lately

Somedays my life is so busy I forget to eat. Life is busy right now but good. So much fun to be had and work to be done. This is what we have been busy with lately:

1) Traveling and blogging here. Travels have included: Fresno, North Dakota, Las Vegas, Arizona, Hawaii and more- which is just the beginning of this year's travels.

2) Work. I am still working from home as a social media consultant and copywriter. Reid is still working at Skywest as a multimedia developer (programming e-learning training for pilots and flight attendants).

3) Kissing this cute girl. As well as the accompanying copious quantities of dirty diapers. She has started rice (although we do multi grain) cereal and LOVES it. She sings while she eats it.

4) Side projects and businesses. Reid is working hard with TriMutiny and my blog is keeping us busy as well as freelance writing, and Reid's freelance designing and programming.

5) Reid is in scouts, in which he chases around ten year old boys trying to help them earn merit badges.

Although we are busy- we love it, love life and love each other.

Keep on keeping on!

Shameless Plug

I have a travel blog- did you know that? Check it out! Learn it, live it, love it. Visit often. Toodles!

http://www.dottingthemap.com

Post Script

Reid read my Hello Sunshine blog post and said I was creepy. And I had to agree with him a little. Maybe that's what becoming a mom does to you? Makes you a little creepy?

In other news... I have become a crotchety old lady who waves her broom at teenagers. Not really but sort of. The other day me neighbor- who's mother must not have been home, although it wouldn't suprise me if she was- had some little hoodlum friends over and they were climbing all over the roof, yelling and being obnoxious. In all honesty I would have been annoyed normally because I live in condos and we are all so close we need to have mutual respect- but because my baby was sleeping I was even more annoyed. PLUS if one of the little hoodlums would have fallen and cracked open their skull not only would I have to see the blood everyday I go to check the mail- it would be the HOA that would be responsible. So I did the only thing I could think of in which a normal mature adult would do- I opened my door, stood there with my hands on my hips and yelled for them to get off the roof or I would call the cops.

WOW! What on heavens earth has happened to me? I swear it was yesterday it was me that was up to no good. My how times have changed.

Hello there sunshine!

I haven't really posted on this blog much because I started a mommy journal. I figured people would get sick of me gushing about my baby all the time. I do plan on sharing some of my entries on here though. So reader beware it's going to be a gush fest today.

Dear Sadie baby,

Those crystal clear blue eyes and ginger hair are perfect but nothing compared to that smile and those giggles. If I lost my house, my computer, and everything else but was still able to see and hear those giggles I could be happy. Being a mom is really hard and someday you will understand that, but if I’ve had a stressful day and then you giggle it’s all out the window. Someday you will also understand how much I love you, but only when you have a sweet little girl (or boy) like you, will you get it. I know you don’t love me as much as I love you and that’s ok. My life changed the moment they set that warm baby in my arms, changed forever. I could barely even see you through those tears of joy. I felt like a piece of my heart was missing before but was filled when you entered my life.

Tonight I held you while you were sleeping. I tried to put you down but I couldn’t. I wish I could freeze time. I’m afraid if I blink it will be your wedding day. Please know you mean the world to me. Please know you are never alone. Sometimes when nothing else works to get you to sleep I lay you in your crib and you fuss a little but quickly fall asleep. You may not know that I’m sitting in your room, but I am. I know the world is scary and hard but I’ll be there- sitting in your room, even when you don’t know it. I love you, little princess.

Love and kisses,

Mommy

Random thoughts and happenings

I love being a mom. It's the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love ever minute of it and having Sadie in our lives has brought so much joy and happiness. She loves to smile and when she smiles I can't help but smile.

The past couple of weeks have been crazy. Crazy with a capitol C. It all started two weeks ago which was the week of tests and dr. appointments for Sadie. These tests I had been dreading since I was 32 weeks pregnant and found out Sadie's kidney had blockage and she would probably need surgery to correct them. Well the time had come and we carted Sadie into primary childrens for tests. I cried as I loaded her in the car and said a quick prayer that she would be comforted as these uncomfortable and invasive tests took place. I had no idea the tests would take an hour and felt like the worst mother ever as my hungry baby was given an IV and stuck with a catheter. She screamed and I cried again. Reid grabbed my hand and told me it was for the best, but I just wanted to pick up my little baby and run the heck out of there! We watched on the screen as they pumped radioactive material into her little kidneys and could see one kidney noticably larger. Sadie was a trooper and though her little legs and arms were pinned down she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

Two days later we went to the pediatric urologist and got the results from her tests. Her kidney is swollen and retains the fluid but eventually drains. Which was the best news I had ever heard in my life. This meant no surgery for baby Sadie. I really tried to fight back tears but they overcame me as they always do. Months and months of prayers from not only us but family and friends for her little kidney and it turned out to be ok. If that's not a testimony builder than I don't know what is.

That weekend Reid blessed Sadie in our ward, surrounded by friends and family. She is one loved little girl. It was a beautiful blessing and a great day. Stressful times with the multitudes of family and our house has a few bruises but completley worth it.

This past weekend we went to MN to watch Chris and Lisa get married (Reid was the best man). It was a beautiful ceremony- fitting for such a beautiful and sweet couple. We wish them all the best. Sadie did amazing on her first flight, which is good because she will be doing a lot of that.

It's time to get back in the swing of things for only a week before we head to celebrate Christmas with my family in Las Vegas. It's good to be here and to be alive. I'm grateful for all of our blessings.