As I sit here, with my 7 week old baby strapped to me in a moby wrap
(because regular sleep is just not happening today) and my fourth day
hair in a bun so I can't smell the baby puke in it, I can't help but
laugh at how I am totally NOT nailing this stay-at-home mom thing.
I am mom to two super awesome little girls. I'm not biased, they are actually awesome. Juliette is blonde hair, blue/green eyes, newly two, and obviously, master of the world. Well, at least of our world. She tells it like it is on a daily basis and literally glows because she is bursting with life. She is also my sweaty, smelly little gal because she has one speed: super-charged. She makes me laugh everyday with her little Juli-bean-isms and is my best friend. I love that little monkey.
Eloise, as I mentioned before, is our newest family member at 7 weeks. She has dark hair and the newborn blue eyes (that seem to be lightening a little so maybe they will stay?) and every now and then reminds me slightly of her sister, but for the most part, has her own look going on. Having not known each other very long, all I can say so far is she is a happy baby! She smiles at me all the time, which is no surprise because I am the keeper of the milk. She's also humungous. She came out at 8 lbs 3 oz and now is just over 12 lbs. She's also just entering a 3-6 month size clothing compliments of her super long length. Both my girls are staying strong in the 95th and over percentile for height. My husband is 6'5" so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I will be the vertically challenged one in the family when they are like seven.
So yes. I am a stay-at-home mom for the moment. I feel very blessed to be in a situation where I can comfortably do this, especially while they are so little. I am the one molding their little minds and behaviors, which is a scary thought and a lot of responsibility all at once. I had a dog before kids. While cliched, it really does prepares you for the responsibility of taking care of another living being. Sadly, so far parenting has been very similar to raising a puppy - constant love and affection and correction. Clearly, I'm basically a parenting expert. I actually do think I have done a pretty good job with Juliette so far. I get lots of compliments from family members and teachers on what a nice little girl she is. Naturally, just when you think you have the parenting thing down, you go and have another kid and start the learning curve all over again.
I surprise myself on a daily basis with just how much I don't remember from Juliette's newborn phase. I essentially remember nothing. It makes me feel like the biggest idiot ever. Mentally, I am much stronger and more used to the night time wakings. I have yet to elbow my husband in his sleep at 3 am to give him a loathing glare while growling, "I AM NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN" as I try to soothe the beautiful, tiny creature looking into my eyes for the last two hours instead of sleeping. Unfortunately, this was a common event the first time around. Two years later, I deal with such encounters by throwing as much love and willpower to stay awake at these moments as I can.
I text my other mommy friends, asking why my 7 week old isn't on a schedule. They kindly remind me that I am still in the "go-with-the-flow" stage. I assure them that, by this time, Juliette was on a schedule and sleeping through the night and had 4 teeth and was almost crawling. Nature sure has it's way of making your brain block out horrific experiences associated with birth and the first few months after. I really don't know how I would survive parenting without my mom friends' support and ear for sharing how your 2 year old just smacked you in the face when you asked for a kiss. Kids are definitely entertaining, I'll give them that.
But, back to my fourth day hair and the baby koala on my chest. I feel like all other moms I meet have perfect sleepers, who eat at the right time, and do everything just right. I am not that mom. I probably make all the other moms feel even better about their mothering skills. For me, while I love baby cuddles, I am looking forward to the day when have the desire to wear make up, do my hair, not choose my wardrobe based on how easily I can whip my boob out.
I am mom to two super awesome little girls. I'm not biased, they are actually awesome. Juliette is blonde hair, blue/green eyes, newly two, and obviously, master of the world. Well, at least of our world. She tells it like it is on a daily basis and literally glows because she is bursting with life. She is also my sweaty, smelly little gal because she has one speed: super-charged. She makes me laugh everyday with her little Juli-bean-isms and is my best friend. I love that little monkey.
Eloise, as I mentioned before, is our newest family member at 7 weeks. She has dark hair and the newborn blue eyes (that seem to be lightening a little so maybe they will stay?) and every now and then reminds me slightly of her sister, but for the most part, has her own look going on. Having not known each other very long, all I can say so far is she is a happy baby! She smiles at me all the time, which is no surprise because I am the keeper of the milk. She's also humungous. She came out at 8 lbs 3 oz and now is just over 12 lbs. She's also just entering a 3-6 month size clothing compliments of her super long length. Both my girls are staying strong in the 95th and over percentile for height. My husband is 6'5" so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I will be the vertically challenged one in the family when they are like seven.
So yes. I am a stay-at-home mom for the moment. I feel very blessed to be in a situation where I can comfortably do this, especially while they are so little. I am the one molding their little minds and behaviors, which is a scary thought and a lot of responsibility all at once. I had a dog before kids. While cliched, it really does prepares you for the responsibility of taking care of another living being. Sadly, so far parenting has been very similar to raising a puppy - constant love and affection and correction. Clearly, I'm basically a parenting expert. I actually do think I have done a pretty good job with Juliette so far. I get lots of compliments from family members and teachers on what a nice little girl she is. Naturally, just when you think you have the parenting thing down, you go and have another kid and start the learning curve all over again.
I surprise myself on a daily basis with just how much I don't remember from Juliette's newborn phase. I essentially remember nothing. It makes me feel like the biggest idiot ever. Mentally, I am much stronger and more used to the night time wakings. I have yet to elbow my husband in his sleep at 3 am to give him a loathing glare while growling, "I AM NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN" as I try to soothe the beautiful, tiny creature looking into my eyes for the last two hours instead of sleeping. Unfortunately, this was a common event the first time around. Two years later, I deal with such encounters by throwing as much love and willpower to stay awake at these moments as I can.
I text my other mommy friends, asking why my 7 week old isn't on a schedule. They kindly remind me that I am still in the "go-with-the-flow" stage. I assure them that, by this time, Juliette was on a schedule and sleeping through the night and had 4 teeth and was almost crawling. Nature sure has it's way of making your brain block out horrific experiences associated with birth and the first few months after. I really don't know how I would survive parenting without my mom friends' support and ear for sharing how your 2 year old just smacked you in the face when you asked for a kiss. Kids are definitely entertaining, I'll give them that.
But, back to my fourth day hair and the baby koala on my chest. I feel like all other moms I meet have perfect sleepers, who eat at the right time, and do everything just right. I am not that mom. I probably make all the other moms feel even better about their mothering skills. For me, while I love baby cuddles, I am looking forward to the day when have the desire to wear make up, do my hair, not choose my wardrobe based on how easily I can whip my boob out.
