So we went to cut down our Christmas tree with Maeberry and it was a huge success.... Well, that was a couple of weeks ago now. It was success on that one day of being in the Christmas spirit. Now, as our decorations are still sitting in the garage, the Peanut Butter Balls that I made are mainly gone (they are now on my thighs, hips and ass), the outside decorations are still not plugged in, the shopping is not even close to being done (we actually have only purchased 2 items), and the "gotta get our house perfect for when the same people who come here all the time to visit" list is not done (we have not even crossed off one thing and don't plan on it at this point).
Ho Hum...
We had a chimney company over today to replace the liner in our... well, chimney! Since we recently switched to natural gas, I guess that 'has' to be done. Whatever. But, hearing someone on the roof while Maeberry was eating breakfast was about as close as my inner sparkling Christmas spirit for my child has come. I can totally seeing getting more in the Christmas spirit while I'm out shopping with crazy, stressed-out, over-tired and moody people (aka: ME!) during the weekend before Christmas. Super! Oh, and don't forget the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the baking (and eating), the setting up, the phone calls of "what was I supposed to bring?", the wrapping, the drama that you KNOW is going to happen within days before Christmas, blah, blah, blah... However (and yes, now for the mushy stuff), it is all because I LOVE my family and I can not WAIT for the look on Maeberry's face when she walks into the living room on Christmas morning.
I just need to keep reminding myself of this while I voyage out into loonyville over the next few days...
Happy National Cupcake Day!
In honor of National Cupcake Day...
Maeberry in her cupcake sleeper...
(Picture taken many months ago...)
Maeberry in her cupcake sleeper...
(Picture taken many months ago...)
REALLY -- Who finds the time?!
I've heard of many moms who cook everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) from scratch, bring their children to all sorts of playtime groups, goes for daily walks/jogs, read books (on their own, not with little ones), have Girls Night outings, get their hair and nails done when needed (not once a year like myself), have a perfectly clean house and have very pleasant AND smart children. Where does all of that time come from? In my recent post, The tips and tricks of a WAHM, you can see that my days are jammed packed with everything under the sun, but there is no going to get my hair done, no getting nails done, no going for a walk, no playtime group outings (which I am BOUND and DETERMINED to get fit into the day - more on this later), no reading much more then my email and flipping through a magazine while in the checkout line at the grocery store.
The reasons why I would like to find more time in my day:
1. I NEED to bring M to a playgroup! I know that she needs more interaction with little ones and not just our family. Also, maybe this will help from her totally flipping out over "babies" whenever we leave the house and she seems someone who is younger than 20 years old standing hear by.
2. This momma needs to walk. Well, really needs to run but I just am not a runner and I have come to terms with that. Let's be honest - after having a baby, one can get to their regular weight but things are just in different places, all mushy and giggly and just not the same. IF you are one of 'those' who popped out a child and went right back to 'normal' without any real work involved - good for you! I'm jealous and never want to meet you face to face for I might start shoving bon-bons down your throat.
3. Hair and nails - well, ya know...
4. A Girls Night Out would be fun from time to time, however I much rather have another (and longer) date night with hubby since we have only been one 1 'date' since M was born 18 months ago...and it was for only 20 minutes... But yeah, a Girls Night Out AT LEAST once a year might be nice!
5. Cooking from scratch is actually something that I'm getting better at. Before M was born, I would eat out as much as possible, live on frozen meals and everything that I actually 'cooked' had previously lived in a box. Not so much anymore - I'm turning over a new leaf in the kitchen and am proud of it.
All in all - where does one find the time? Maybe those moms don't blog or own a computer, or iPhone, iPad or any other piece of technology. Maybe that's where the time goes... *lightbulb*
The reasons why I would like to find more time in my day:
1. I NEED to bring M to a playgroup! I know that she needs more interaction with little ones and not just our family. Also, maybe this will help from her totally flipping out over "babies" whenever we leave the house and she seems someone who is younger than 20 years old standing hear by.
2. This momma needs to walk. Well, really needs to run but I just am not a runner and I have come to terms with that. Let's be honest - after having a baby, one can get to their regular weight but things are just in different places, all mushy and giggly and just not the same. IF you are one of 'those' who popped out a child and went right back to 'normal' without any real work involved - good for you! I'm jealous and never want to meet you face to face for I might start shoving bon-bons down your throat.
3. Hair and nails - well, ya know...
4. A Girls Night Out would be fun from time to time, however I much rather have another (and longer) date night with hubby since we have only been one 1 'date' since M was born 18 months ago...and it was for only 20 minutes... But yeah, a Girls Night Out AT LEAST once a year might be nice!
5. Cooking from scratch is actually something that I'm getting better at. Before M was born, I would eat out as much as possible, live on frozen meals and everything that I actually 'cooked' had previously lived in a box. Not so much anymore - I'm turning over a new leaf in the kitchen and am proud of it.
All in all - where does one find the time? Maybe those moms don't blog or own a computer, or iPhone, iPad or any other piece of technology. Maybe that's where the time goes... *lightbulb*
The tricks and tips of a WAHM
First off, let me start by saying that I don't have all of the tricks and tips of a work at home mom. I am a WAHM but still feel like each and every day I am ready to pull my hair out, and that's just by 8am. By 9am I am ready for a nap and once lunch time comes around, I would love nothing more then to take a nice bubble bath with enough candles lit around me to cover a regulation size football field. But, rest assure that I pull myself together and make life as pleasing as possible for my little bundle of joy, and my business. I am the owner and founder of VIP Consulting, LLC which is a marketing company specializing in web design, graphic design and social media. I also am the owner and founder of Wedding Gloss which is a wedding vendor website. Once Maeberry was born, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to be a "WAHM", so I did whatever I needed to do to ensure that my plan would happen all while being financially successful for our new family of 3. HA! Well, maybe my plan didn't happen exactly how I had envisioned it, but we still find a way to make everything work.
Usually, Maeberry wakes up by 7am. After changing and a few minutes of wake-up snuggle time, it's into her highchair for breakfast while mommy makes the coffee. We sing, read books, run around, play games, learn lots and cuddle some more. Once she is ready for nap time #1 (yes, she is still taking 2 naps at 18 months old - don't judge), it's time for mommy's nap time -- I mean work time. I run into my office and start with emails, phone calls, design work and any deadlines that I have to get done. All of a sudden, M's nap time is over and its back to eating (lunch time and coffee time for mommy), playing, learning, reading, singing, running around and making a mess (what kid doesn't make a mess?!?!). After a short snack and some much needed cuddle time while reading, nap time #2 (again, don't judge) happens. Once again, I am running, but this time to pick up messes, maybe do some laundry (IF and ONLY IF I have had plenty of coffee and a good nights rest), dishes, dusting, sweeping, etc. I have become a marathon cleaner but mainly just so things look clean. The real moping, etc comes on the weekends and sometimes in the evenings. I just like things to look as organized as a house with an 18 month old can. You get the point. Then, run again (see where my work outs come into play?) to the office and back to work. Usually by the time I sit on the chair in front of my computer in the office after cleaning time during nap #2, M is all done napping and it's back to playing and teaching her cool things about the world that we live in. Sometimes I get about 5 minutes in before she wakes up. In the evenings after hubby gets home from a long day at work, we have family time (dinner, playing, making messes, teaching, ready, bath time, more reading time, etc) before M goes to bed for the night. Once her head lays on the mattress in her crib, I'm off running again to pick up (with hubby's help - he's a great guy!!) and then back to work. I usually work until at least 10pm and then try to unwind within minutes so I can try to go to sleep. But, this never works so I'm usually up until at least midnight.
All in all, we (hubby and I) feel that M is very advanced for her age (what parent doesn't?!?!) and we know that she has a fun-filled day while learning, playing and reading. I always meet my deadlines for work and mainly work with clients who understand that being a mommy is my #1 priority, but working for them is a close runner up. Honestly, I take my job as a mommy and a marketing consultant very seriously and would not be a WAHM if I didn't feel that I could do it. Working for me is a hobby and is my 'outlet' from other things.
My number 1 trick & tip is to LOVE WHAT YOU DO and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS put your family first! I love everything about my job and my company and know that I wouldn't be a great mommy without having my outlet on the side, of which I call 'work'. Also, having a fabulous support system around you is also a huge plus! Without my hubby, parents, family and friends, I would be lost in this journey of being a WAHM.
Time for some coffee...
Usually, Maeberry wakes up by 7am. After changing and a few minutes of wake-up snuggle time, it's into her highchair for breakfast while mommy makes the coffee. We sing, read books, run around, play games, learn lots and cuddle some more. Once she is ready for nap time #1 (yes, she is still taking 2 naps at 18 months old - don't judge), it's time for mommy's nap time -- I mean work time. I run into my office and start with emails, phone calls, design work and any deadlines that I have to get done. All of a sudden, M's nap time is over and its back to eating (lunch time and coffee time for mommy), playing, learning, reading, singing, running around and making a mess (what kid doesn't make a mess?!?!). After a short snack and some much needed cuddle time while reading, nap time #2 (again, don't judge) happens. Once again, I am running, but this time to pick up messes, maybe do some laundry (IF and ONLY IF I have had plenty of coffee and a good nights rest), dishes, dusting, sweeping, etc. I have become a marathon cleaner but mainly just so things look clean. The real moping, etc comes on the weekends and sometimes in the evenings. I just like things to look as organized as a house with an 18 month old can. You get the point. Then, run again (see where my work outs come into play?) to the office and back to work. Usually by the time I sit on the chair in front of my computer in the office after cleaning time during nap #2, M is all done napping and it's back to playing and teaching her cool things about the world that we live in. Sometimes I get about 5 minutes in before she wakes up. In the evenings after hubby gets home from a long day at work, we have family time (dinner, playing, making messes, teaching, ready, bath time, more reading time, etc) before M goes to bed for the night. Once her head lays on the mattress in her crib, I'm off running again to pick up (with hubby's help - he's a great guy!!) and then back to work. I usually work until at least 10pm and then try to unwind within minutes so I can try to go to sleep. But, this never works so I'm usually up until at least midnight.
All in all, we (hubby and I) feel that M is very advanced for her age (what parent doesn't?!?!) and we know that she has a fun-filled day while learning, playing and reading. I always meet my deadlines for work and mainly work with clients who understand that being a mommy is my #1 priority, but working for them is a close runner up. Honestly, I take my job as a mommy and a marketing consultant very seriously and would not be a WAHM if I didn't feel that I could do it. Working for me is a hobby and is my 'outlet' from other things.
My number 1 trick & tip is to LOVE WHAT YOU DO and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS put your family first! I love everything about my job and my company and know that I wouldn't be a great mommy without having my outlet on the side, of which I call 'work'. Also, having a fabulous support system around you is also a huge plus! Without my hubby, parents, family and friends, I would be lost in this journey of being a WAHM.
Time for some coffee...
Maeberry's 18 Month Birthday Cake Eating Highlight
Maeberry had a fabulous 18 month birthday! We had pizza for dinner (her fav) and cake...obviously! The cake was so much fun and by far the best part. She was loving every bite and was so much more into it then at her 1st birthday. I would highly recommend others doing a 18 month cake for their little one if they were anything like Maeberry at their 1st birthday. She didn't want anything to do with it and actually started gagging... This was SO MUCH more fun in that aspect. It's a great way to celebrate the fact that our little girl is now officially a year AND A HALF old! It was just my husband, Maeberry and I, so it was quiet and mellow.
The end to a fabulous day!
The end to a fabulous day!
OMG - Baby M is 18 months old!!!
I have a BEAUTIFUL baby girl (the apple of my eye), a wonderful husband (my true love), a loud barking dog (a typical 'ankle-biter'), a cute home (in a little Vermont town) and a love for my family & friends, COFFEE (I drink WAY too much coffee), baking, cooking, cleaning (DID I JUST SAY THAT?!?!), reality TV, the color pink, and working. OMG, I just wrote that whole list and never put shopping... Geez, how things change when you have a little one and are more worried about the house being clean and dinner being cooked vs shopping... Now, let me clarify - this girl LOVES to shop (but only if I can get a deal!!). I love sports. Sundays are our lazy family days (especially during football season). I am very thankful for spell check. I am under 5' 4" (enough said). I love to help people, am very caring and like to get involved with fundraisers.
Okay- enough about me... On to Baby M! Born on June 13, 2009 at 11:40pm, I CAN NOT believe that today she is 18 months old... Let the balling begin. I've had mixed emotions about her 18 month birthday (yes, there will be cake), not like I have a choice in the matter. I've actually been filling up with tears (and chocolate) for the past couple of weeks knowing that this day was coming way too quick, however I have come with terms with the fact that my baby girl is growing up and now very excited to say that I am the proud mama of a 1 1/2 year old. Not to say that there won't be a few tears throughout the day, but they will be tears of joy that I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, smart, happy and healthy baby girl in my life.
Enjoy the ride and take a minute to smell the coffee brewing...
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