Since she has really never experienced a pinata or candy, she didn't know what to do when it broke open and all the candy came out!! I had to help her a little. All she was interested in grabbing were the little suckers!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Halloween Party
Below are some pictures from our MOMS Halloween party - all the kids looked so cute!! Sydney didn't want to wear her costume - hopefully she will on Halloween!!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Special Moments
So this morning, Greg got Sydney out of her crib and brought her into bed with us to watch some cartoons for a bit. This is our cuddle time! I cuddled up to Sydney and she said, "I wuv you Mommy!" OMG, need I even say how special I felt at the very moment!! I squeezed her so tight!! And when it was time to get out of bed and start our day, she gave me another hug and said, "Mommy, I missed you." (I worked all day yesterday). These are the special moments that I always dreamed of when I was trying to get pregnant. These are the special moments that make everything right in my life!
Monday, October 26, 2009
MOMS Group Halloween Party
My camera is out of wack again (Sydney loves that!!) so I couldn't post any pictures of our MOMS group Halloween party today. I was able to get the video to work some. This is what it's like to get a group picture when we are all together!!!
Sydney refused to wear her costume so she is in her pink and white striped dress eating a sucker. She was a little overwhelmed!!
I will try and get some pictures of the party up soon.
We had our first Wee Movement class today. Sydney struggled throughout most of the class. This was her first class experiences so I think she was nervous & overwhelmed. I had to hold her in my lap the entire time and she cried a few times. I think after a few classes, once she is used to the structure more, she will be fine. It's a wonderful opportunity for her to learn and grow:)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Back Outside!
Yaaayyy, the weather has finally started to cool down and we have been able to get out of the house and be outside!!! Our summers are like Minnesota winters - you spend most of your time indoors because its too hot outside to do anything!! We have been able to go do our hike again which I absolutely love! The hike is a little more difficult however, because Sydney is bigger. It's like pushing 50-55 pounds up hill for 1.6 miles!! Awesome workout and it's so peaceful.
I was finally able to get Sydney's Halloween costume - it's so cute!! We are doing the same thing we did last year - a neighbor has a whole group of people over with their kids. We all eat and have a few cocktails and then head out as a group to go trick or treating. This year will be so much more fun now that Sydney is able to interact more with the other children and understands the whole trick or treating thing!!
Lastly, we are getting VERY excited because Nana and Pap will be in Arizona soon for the winter!! We LOVE having them here with us! Oh how they are going to be surprised at how Sweetie has grown!!!
I was finally able to get Sydney's Halloween costume - it's so cute!! We are doing the same thing we did last year - a neighbor has a whole group of people over with their kids. We all eat and have a few cocktails and then head out as a group to go trick or treating. This year will be so much more fun now that Sydney is able to interact more with the other children and understands the whole trick or treating thing!!
Lastly, we are getting VERY excited because Nana and Pap will be in Arizona soon for the winter!! We LOVE having them here with us! Oh how they are going to be surprised at how Sweetie has grown!!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
My Silly Girl
Daddy is out of town again this weekend seeing Jo Jo, so Sydney and I have been on our own. The weather is still in the 100's and too hot to play outside so we have been pretty bored!! We were being pretty silly yesterday running around the house and making funny faces - hence, the pictures below!! Enjoy!
My silly girl!!
My silly girl!!
Finding Me
When I was younger, high school and college years, I was determined that I was going to be a Psychologist and a working Mom. I knew back then that I was a hard worker and that I would get bored staying home everyday. My view point changed when I moved to Arizona. I was somewhat sheltered living in Mankato, Minnesota. I had family and close friends by me most of the time. Life was more simple. Moving to Arizona, I was more isolated, witnessed/observed more violence and crime - my world views changed - a lot! Then I worked as a Therapist with children and families involved with Child Protection services and observed and heard the most devastating behaviors/events. The images I have etched in my brain of that time are horrific and ones I have never really shared with anyone. As a result of what I have experienced in Arizona, I knew that once I did become a Mommy, there was NO WAY I was going to be able to send my child to child care. Now, I am not against child care at all. My mom had to put me into child care at 3 weeks old!! Anyone who knows me well enough knows what a worry wort I am and how anxious I can be...as a result, I would seriously have a nervous breakdown worrying about my child everyday if she were in day care all day. So why am I bringing all of this up?
I am about to share some VERY personal information that I would not normally discuss with anyone, but, I think it's important. I feel a lot of pressure being a stay at home Mom - and I am sure many women do but we are just too embarrassed or nervous to be open about it. So, here it goes...
I know that we made the right decision for OUR family for me to put a career on hold and to stay home and raise our daughter. I know first hand that not all families have this choice. Right now, at this time, we do. There are many things I really like about being a stay at home mom. I get to see all of Sydney's firsts. I get to decide what she eats, what she sees on TV, when she takes naps, what she plays with and things of that sort. With me spending so much time with her, she learns our values and traditions and not those of the people taking care of her. I get hugs and kisses all day (my favorite). I get to do certain errands and chores during the day that many people have to do on the weekends or evenings. All of these things, and many more, are all very positive and important and I am grateful. There are things however, that are very challenging for me when it comes to being a stay at home Mom. I miss ME. I miss the part of ME that used to help people on a daily basis. The part of ME that felt valued and important. I was really good at my work. People came to ME for my advise on treating clients. I loved the rush I used to get when I could see someone arriving at a "Ah-Ha" moment. I miss my paychecks!! I miss getting paid for the work I did. I have always been one to work better and to accomplish more when I have a lot to do - I am proud of my time management skills and my ability to prioritize. Now, I know what people are going to say - those are all transferable skills - I still do use time management and I still do prioritize. But come on people, its much different. Making decisions about what to cook for dinner or what to clean first - the toilet or the floors - isn't' quite the same!! For people who enjoy cooking and cleaning and decorating and things of that sort, this is the perfect job for them. But I really don't enjoy all of those things. This is the part that is hard because I read a lot of blogs and chat rooms where working moms will say, "You are so lucky to be able to stay at home" "Quit whining" - all of these types of comments only place more shame on women who are in my shoes. Obviously, we know we are lucky! But why should I be shamed because I miss a big part of ME. Why is it that once you have kids whenever you use the word "ME" you feel ashamed? I feel like when I use the word "ME" I am being selfish. Why? Am I not allowed to have a "self" anymore because I am a Mom. Now how do I explain that to my daughter as she grows up? "Enjoy life while you can Sweetie because once you have kids, your life is over!!" NO! I refuse! There has got to be a happy-medium! So that is where I am at today...trying to figure out what MY happy-medium is. Trying to figure out how I can be the productive, stable, joyful stay at home Mommy that Sydney deserves, yet, at the same time, trying to figure out what I can do to get ME back! A way that I can use my skills and my passion and still be home for my Sweetie. This is the example I want to set for my daughter!
I know someone is going to read this post and think that I am being selfish or ungrateful or that I think the grass is greener on the otherside. Think what you will. I prefer to get past the "shaming" and focus on something more productive - like finding ME!
I am about to share some VERY personal information that I would not normally discuss with anyone, but, I think it's important. I feel a lot of pressure being a stay at home Mom - and I am sure many women do but we are just too embarrassed or nervous to be open about it. So, here it goes...
I know that we made the right decision for OUR family for me to put a career on hold and to stay home and raise our daughter. I know first hand that not all families have this choice. Right now, at this time, we do. There are many things I really like about being a stay at home mom. I get to see all of Sydney's firsts. I get to decide what she eats, what she sees on TV, when she takes naps, what she plays with and things of that sort. With me spending so much time with her, she learns our values and traditions and not those of the people taking care of her. I get hugs and kisses all day (my favorite). I get to do certain errands and chores during the day that many people have to do on the weekends or evenings. All of these things, and many more, are all very positive and important and I am grateful. There are things however, that are very challenging for me when it comes to being a stay at home Mom. I miss ME. I miss the part of ME that used to help people on a daily basis. The part of ME that felt valued and important. I was really good at my work. People came to ME for my advise on treating clients. I loved the rush I used to get when I could see someone arriving at a "Ah-Ha" moment. I miss my paychecks!! I miss getting paid for the work I did. I have always been one to work better and to accomplish more when I have a lot to do - I am proud of my time management skills and my ability to prioritize. Now, I know what people are going to say - those are all transferable skills - I still do use time management and I still do prioritize. But come on people, its much different. Making decisions about what to cook for dinner or what to clean first - the toilet or the floors - isn't' quite the same!! For people who enjoy cooking and cleaning and decorating and things of that sort, this is the perfect job for them. But I really don't enjoy all of those things. This is the part that is hard because I read a lot of blogs and chat rooms where working moms will say, "You are so lucky to be able to stay at home" "Quit whining" - all of these types of comments only place more shame on women who are in my shoes. Obviously, we know we are lucky! But why should I be shamed because I miss a big part of ME. Why is it that once you have kids whenever you use the word "ME" you feel ashamed? I feel like when I use the word "ME" I am being selfish. Why? Am I not allowed to have a "self" anymore because I am a Mom. Now how do I explain that to my daughter as she grows up? "Enjoy life while you can Sweetie because once you have kids, your life is over!!" NO! I refuse! There has got to be a happy-medium! So that is where I am at today...trying to figure out what MY happy-medium is. Trying to figure out how I can be the productive, stable, joyful stay at home Mommy that Sydney deserves, yet, at the same time, trying to figure out what I can do to get ME back! A way that I can use my skills and my passion and still be home for my Sweetie. This is the example I want to set for my daughter!
I know someone is going to read this post and think that I am being selfish or ungrateful or that I think the grass is greener on the otherside. Think what you will. I prefer to get past the "shaming" and focus on something more productive - like finding ME!
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