Sick Days For Moms. Nope.

There isn't any, right!? Nope. You still have to be a parent. Unless you have family or babysitters readily available. But I don't. So...I mom on.

When I am sick, I get in this strange mode where I feel like I need to clean or at least do SOMETHING. If not, I will lay down and not get up. Then the kids would suffer. Because they wouldn't be able to feed themselves or change a diaper or be able to throw away trash or be able to turn a cartoon on or be able to find a toy they lost three weeks ago and now just realized they lost. You know, stuff I have to help with on the daily.

This morning, I tried to convince Nate to snuggle with me and watch cartoons all day. Didn't happen. He watched some, but was done by 9am. We did find Inspector Gadget on Netflix though! Say what!? Nate was confused with all my excitement. He watched an episode, but wasn't completely in love. In his defense, it is a remake, new Inspector Gadget so I can't really fault him.

It was a nice day, so I was outside most of the day with the kids. I was tired and stuffy and congested and coughing, but the fresh air helped a lot! The neighbors across the street taught Nate how to play Four Square which was just the cutest thing ever and he was really good!

Four Square, Inspector Gadget, and nice weather!? Yes, please! Brought me back to my childhood and I really wanted a bowl of Lucky Charms or some McDonald's breakfast to really seal my blast of the past day.

Jason came home from work early so I actually was able to get in a nice nap while Morgan took her afternoon nap. Best. Husband. Ever. And he grilled chicken. Score!

Now the kids are both in bed and I am drinking another cup of hot tea, stuffing my nose with tissue, and watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Good times, my friends. Good times.

Hopefully I feel a little better tomorrow. If not, McDonald's is happening. For it being a "sick day" the kids were actually well-behaved and took it easy on me. So thankful.

9 Months.

My littlest little is 9 months today. NINE. I can't believe it.

Morgan. Mo-Mo. Morgie-Morg. Lil' Chunky Chunk. Lil' Chunks.  Those are all her names she goes by. She is getting more and more personality every day. And she is a sassy little thing. All 21 pounds and 26 inches of her.

She LOVES her brother, especially when he plays Peek-a-boo with her or is having a meltdown. Yep...she thinks it is Hi-lar-i-ous when he cries. Not cool, Morgan.

She has the biggest thighs I have ever seen on a baby. She has 2 bottom teeth and working on more. She loves food (surprise, surprise). Her favorites are blueberries, pasta, ground beef, and crunchies. She loves to be held. She doesn't crawl, but she gets around using baby magic. She nurses a lot (apparently I have awesome boobs). She loves bath time. She is starting to actually "play" more and interact with Nate which melts my freaking heart. That is why we have babies, my friends, those moments.

She hates sleeping. She is getting better, but still up 3-5 times a night (improvement from 10 times a night). She hates when I wipe her nose.

Morgan is overall a pretty happy baby. Her smile is so sweet. Whenever we are out and about people are just drawn to her. They are constantly talking about her bows, thighs, and smile. No joke, people ask me to squeeze her all the time. It's funny.

Here are a few pictures I took of her today...

Happy 9 months, baby girl. Mommy loves you so much. You are my favorite shopping bestie and I can't wait to do more girly stuff with you. If you love me, you will sleep better. K, Thanks. 

Shopping. For Myself.

I have kind of been of a shopping spree lately. For myself. It's taken a toll on my bank account, but you know what? I am buying things for ME.

Ever since I had Nate, my purchases have been for him and now I buy things for Nate and Morgan. I buy cheap stuff for myself or wait to be spoiled by my mom. (Thanks, mom!) It's really a strange concept to WANT to buy for these little humans who just grow out of clothes in like a minute and destroy everything they touch. But I LOVE it! They are my world and I just can't resist getting them stuff. Even if it just STUFF. I can't help myself sometimes.

Lately though...lately...I have been buying stuff for me. Without the kids in mind...clothes in particular. I have found a brand that makes me feel young, fun, and less like a frumpy mom. If you know me, you love I have a loving relationship with leggings. I wear them everyday. They are my clothing "lobster". We are soul mates.

You know what it also really hard about shopping for myself? Breastfeeding. F you, "nursing tops". They suck. They are so ugly! And I hate the clips or snaps. I like to just pull down my shirt and whip out my boob. Just like that. I want something that is easy. I don't want to fiddle with a hungry baby, a threenager, and a flipping clip. Just...no.

My wardrobe is seriously slacking because of this non-sense. But...oh man, Lularoe. Lularoe is a clothing brand. It's a small business/direct sales type. I am officially obsessed with this brand. You can go to "home-parties", but the majority of inventory and purchases are bought online through Facebook and Instagram "pop-ups". You join Facebook groups, the consultant adds inventory, and you buy through your favorite consultant or multiple(up to you).

The patterns and prints are adorable. The material is so comfortable. And, most important to me at the moment is...most of the tops and even dresses are nursing friendly!!! I can even nurse while babywearing. Bonus!!

Lularoe(<<---- add yourself to my favorite consultant's page).

Besides Lularoe, I bought myself a few new pairs of shoes. What!? They were from TJMaxx and cheap, but I bought them for ME! I am so excited to wear them with my lularoe of course.

This post is so silly and I know that. Talking about how I bought clothes and shoes for myself. I'm even chuckling at myself for writing it. But seriously, when you become a mom, YOU, for some reason, get placed on the back burner. You are still there in the back of the stove, but it's that one burner that only gets used a few times. The other three burners are taken up by kids, significant other, family, a job outside of the home(not in my case, but for those amazing working moms!) etc. You are just always the last person you think about.

It's taken me a long time to remind myself to not be on the back burner and take some "me-time", shop for myself, go to Bunco (yes, Bunco, I'm old) or whatever it may be. And not just remind myself to do it...but actually do it! I always think to myself, yes, I do need a break. Yes, I do need to go do (fill in the blank) but then don't do it. Which completely defeats the whole purpose.

I hope this rambling post reminds you to take some time for yourself. Do it and don't feel guilty about it.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom. You're old. Just kidding. 

Seriously, I hope I age as well as you have. You are a freaking ball of energy and have a huge heart. You are constantly doing so much for others. Hard-working, thoughtful, fun,and crazy. I could go on and on. 

I am so proud of where you are today. You've come a long way to say the least. I kind of want to make this super mushy, but I'm pretty sure you are already crying. Because that's what you do. 

So I'll make this short and sweet. I love you, you're the best mom and grandma, and I hope you had a great birthday.

Why I Became a Beachbody Coach

Number ONE reason...for myself. I just had my second baby and I am not losing the weight as easily as I did with number one. I am not happy with my body. My husband likes it. My son could care less. But I am not. No matter how many times I hear, "You look great!" and "You just had a baby!" it goes in one ear and out the other.

 Don't get me wrong, thank you for telling me those compliments, I really do appreciate them. But until I look in the mirror and see the body I want and make choices I want, those compliments are empty. Sound rude? Maybe. But it's the truth. I don't think you are lying, but it's not where I want to be with myself.

I am a mom and a wife. I take care of two tiny humans all day long. Wiping butts, cleaning snacks off the floor, cooking, laundry, hearing meltdowns...the list goes on and on. I get cuddles, I breastfeed, I read books and play legos, trains, crayons...so much in one day. Not much time for myself. And I understand that. I signed up to be a wife and mom. I knew what I was getting myself into. Sharing myself with 3 other people is my life and I wouldn't change it for the world. But I can also be selfish and want to share myself with...myself.

I want to be healthy and workout. I like to try new recipes. I love to take pictures. I want to be able to set a good example for my kids by making good choices. I'm doing this for myself to be a better person. For myself. And those 3 other people I share a roof with. All four of us are my motivation.

I did not become a coach to bug people on facebook. Yes, I will post food recipes and me working out and me drinking Shakeology. But I did all of this before. This isn't something new. I post pictures and statuses all the time. I will still post pictures of my kids and of my "treats". And yes, I will have treats and cheat days. I will not be perfect.

Notice all the "I's" in my post? I'll just reiterate it's because I want to do it. I will not private message you about becoming a coach. I will post motivation memes and quotes. I will probably promote myself in some way. Even though I am on this journey for me, if it helps others...fantastic. If you want help, or recipes, or are interested in Beachbody, of course, I will help. just let me know. Come to me so I don't bother you. Sorry if the posts might get annoying. If you really hate it, unfriend or unfollow. Do what you need to do. I will understand completely.

With all that said, I am so excited to be on this journey. You can either hate it, like it, tolerate it, care less, whatever. It will not bother me one bit. Please understand my reasoning. It is a selfish one. I am still going to be the same Jennifer...maybe even a better version. Can't fault me for that, right?

Mom Confessions

I have a confession. Ok, 10 confessions.

Sometimes...I am a bad parent. I do things I know I shouldn't do as a parent. But...I do them anyway. Because it's easy or convenient or I don't want to hear screaming or I want to get something done. The bad part is it is completely on purpose to avoid situations or, to be honest, to be selfish. Is it bad that I do these things consciously or do I get some sort of leniency towards my actions? I don't do these ALL the time. But I do do them more than I care to admit. 

My mom confessions:

1. I let my son watch a TV show in the morning so I can drink my coffee HOT and/or wake up more because the sun isn't even awake yet.

2. I let me son watch a TV show while I cook dinner so I can...cook dinner.

3. I give my son fruit snacks so he will get in his car seat without a fight.

4. During his nap (if he takes a nap) I will eat candy or some type of junk food so I can eat it in peace and not have to share.

5. I give my son a snack or even buy a snack in the store so he will sit in the cart and behave.

6. I go on playdates so I can have an adult conversation. This doesn't usually happen they way I envision it, but it's still nice to get out and try.

7. I will drive around the block just a few more times than I need to in hopes he will fall asleep in the car.

8. I get distracted by Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. This is not necessarily on purpose, but I will get on my phone to check a few things and end up staying on for 30+ minutes. Essentially, ignoring Nate. 

9. I let my son eat an "easy" lunch. Because I don't want to cook 3 meals a day. Want a Lunchable? Sure? Pretzels with hummus? Go for it. 

10. Whenever we leave somewhere, I tell my son we are leaving because "insert place here" is closing for nap time. I literally did this today at Sea Life park. "We have to leave because the dolphins need there nap and it is closing for them to sleep in a quiet place". He bought it. But he didn't nap. Damn it. 

I know I am not alone in this. 

What are some of your mom confessions?/ Obviously I have no room to judge so share away!

I'm Alive and Awesome!

It is amazing how life can take over. Even some things you love to do can take the back burner. There are so many little past times I enjoy, but never get to take the time to do them for myself. Yes, for myself.

Since becoming a mom it seems as if I am being selfish to do anything for myself. It is my job now to take care of another human being. This tiny human relies on my for everything. Not that it is a bad thing, obviously, I signed up for the job. This new job has ridiculous hours, no days off, and very few breaks. It is completely insane and satisfying at the same time. It teaches patience, love, and understanding. It gives you a sense of purpose. With all that said, I realized I need to "work" on myself.

I have realized I have many "jobs", myself being one of them. I not only have to take care of my little human, but I need to take care of my other half, as well as, myself. Myself. Me. Jennifer. I am still Jennifer. Jason always tells me I need to take breaks, that he can help. He says he can watch Nate while I nap. There is such a difference between hearing words and actually believing them. I now believe him. It has taken a long time, but the words have meaning now.

I'm not exactly sure how this change happened. It was as if just one day I woke up and had the sudden urge to make a drastic change. Jason and I had been discussing eating healthier and getting a gym membership. When I got back from a 3 week trip from California my mind was set. Gym membership activated and the next grocery trip was full of healthy items.

It's been 1 month since my change. My modification. My revision of life. I have lost 7lbs, LOVE the classes at the gym, meal plan with healthy foods, Nate has been sleeping better, and I just feel better! I've started doing little things I used to do, such as, paint my nails, take a nap, read, just have some Jenn-time....maybe even blog more!

As I type, I am enjoying a glass of wine, watching a movie, and know my sleeping little human is in his crib dreaming. The day was busy and crazy, but I did my job. The job duties never end and that's okay. I just need to remember I am still Jennifer, not just "mommy".

I wrote this post as a reminder to myself, but also to everyone else who needs it.. Believe the words. Take the time for yourself. Enjoy whatever makes you happy. You can be a mom, or whatever job you do, and (insert name here) simultaneously. You can. Believe it and do it.

1st Mother's Day

Today is a first for me. My first Mother's day. Technically, my little booger was growing in my belly last year, but today he is physically here. 

No, he can't say my mom. No, he can't wipe his own ass yet. No, he doesn't take a bottle or a pacifier well. No, he doesn't sleep through the night. He still has my heart. I wake up to his smiling face (most days). I get to cuddle with him and rock him to sleep. I get to clean him and feed him. I get to stay home with him and watch him change daily. He depends on me for so much, his life entirely to be exact. This is a huge responsibility and love I never knew until he was born. 

On my first Mother's day, I spent the day with my son and husband. And I should say, I couldn't be a mom without Jason (do I really need to explain this?) So, I thank my husband for giving me the opportunity to be a mom and always giving me compliments and reassurance that I am doing a job well done. Reassurance is one of the most important things as a mom. I am constantly questioning myself and knowing he thinks I'm doing a decent job helps the self conscious me. 

I also want to thank my mom. She has definitely set the bar high. She spoils me rotten. She supports me. She is proud of me. She is a great listener. She is caring. She is my mom. I get to see here a day after Mother's day, but she deserves celebration more than just one day a year. 

Most people think Mother's day is a day of pampering the moms in your life. In my day, a nap, an uninterrupted shower, and eating with both hands qualifies as pampering. It has been a great, relaxing first Mother's day. I hope all the moms out there had a very special day with whatever you consider as "pampering". Being a mom is the hardest job I have ever done. 

Happy Mother's Day!! 

Tax Bubble

...no, I didn't mistype. You probably thought I meant tax bracket, right? No. I put bubble because I am in one. I kind of knew I was in a tax bubble, but now I know I am FOR SURE in one. I absolutely know nothing about doing taxes. Nothing. 

My mom claimed me until I was 25, so she handled them every year. Then, I got married when I was 25, so Jason has handled them. Not once have I gone to an H&R block or used Turbo Tax. I knew they existed, but didn't pay much attention. Basically, I am spoiled and have lived in a bubble my entire *almost* 28 years of life. Wow. 

This year I asked Jason if I could watch him do our taxes. Not because I wanted to, because I thought I need to learn. This was our little convo:

Jenn: "Can I watch you do our taxes this year?"

Jason: "ALL of it?"

Jenn: "Yeah, why...does it take a long time?"

Jason: "Are you serious? How long do you think it will take?"

Jenn: "I don't know, a couple hours? 2?"

Jason: "Are you serious!? *laughs*

Jenn: *super confused* "What? How long? It looks so easy on T.V"

Jason: *shakes head* "Google the average time it takes to do taxes."

So I googled it. Some site said it took an average of 37 hours! What in the world!? Heck no am I going to watch Jason do taxes for that long. And I wouldn't do them myself either like he does. 

This was just shocking to me. Shocking because I had no idea, but I am also super thankful I have had nothing to do with it in my entire life. They seem boring and take a long time. 

I plan to stay in my tax bubble, thank you very much. And thank you, mom and Jason for knowing how to be an adult...I clearly am not one.

Sunday "Me-Day"

I had my first "me-day" today. I was out for 3 hours. I needed to return a couple of things and I went to get a mani-pedi. The returns were not so fun, but the mani-pedi was much needed. I even splurged on a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks to enjoy as I was pampered.

It was very strange to be out for 3 hours when I used to go out and shop for 3 hours at a minimum. Oh, how the times have changed.

As I sat in my massage chair soaking my feet and being pampered, I still thought of what Jason and Nate were doing. The crazy part is I know exactly what they were doing. Watching football, Nate was sleeping, pooping, and eating, and some laundry was being done. Why when on my "me time" I still couldn't get my head off of my boys? I just love them so much and although I firmly believe everyone needs alone time, I couldn't help but miss them.

This is both a good and bad thing. It is obvious I love being with my 2 boys and miss them even when I am gone for a whole 180 minutes. On the other hand, can I really enjoy my "me time" when it isn't just me? I wonder if this will be a constant feeling?

Do other moms and wives think about their kids and hubby even when you need to be alone? It seems like such a contradiction.

Overall, I feel relaxed, my toes and fingers look great, and my hubby's football team won their game today. I am now back home and looking forward to steak fajitas with my little family.

Hope everyone is having a super Sunday, whether it is getting some alone time or spending it with family!

The Little Things

Becoming a mom has been the biggest change my life has ever experienced thus far. It is almost an indescribable feeling. Just in these 3 1/2 very few weeks, my life, routine, and priorities have changed. The strange thing is it doesn't feel like a HUGE difference. It feels like he was meant to be here.

It's little things that have changed.

I can no longer shower when I want. I still shower, it just at a different time. No biggie.
I wake up every 1-3 hours to feed Nate. I woke up randomly throughout the night before. Now I just have to be up a little longer and have a baby attached to me. No biggie.
I have to make my food, coffee, etc. one-handed. Took some getting used to, but not huge deal.
I do A LOT more laundry. We chose to cloth diaper so I already had it in my head there would be more.
I love more than one man. Jason and Nate now have to share my love. Might be the biggest challenge.
I wear a burp rag. New accessory?
I can't go out as much. I still get out...just not as often. Gas saver!

All these little things take some adjustment time. They are all very small to me though and I wouldn't trade it...well maybe a little more sleep. It's the little things that can make or break us. They can add up to make a bigger issue. I've realized you need to acknowledge the changes, be aware of them, and just do your best. Don't worry so much about being perfect. If you embrace change it can end up changing you for the better. I do not want all the little changes have a negative impact on my life.

Isn't there a quote saying, "It's the little things that count"? Enjoy the little things in life.
My favorite little thing: Nate, of course! :)

Expectations of a Stay-at-home Mom

In just a few days my husband will be going back to work after 10 days of paternity leave. This means my status as a “stay-at-home mom” is officially going to begin. Honestly, I think I will be fine. The transition into motherhood (the whole 10 days I’ve been a mom) has been extremely smooth. Am I abnormal? I keep hearing stories of new moms not taking showers, being exhausted, and letting themselves go. Fortunately, I haven’t reached that point. Will this change when my husband goes back to work?

The expectations of a stay-at-home mom vary greatly depending on who you ask. The dad/other guardian has expectations. The new mom has expectations. Society has expectations. Other moms have expectations. There may be some overlap, but if you ask, each will give you a different answer. So…who is right? How are stay-at-home moms supposed to be, act, and dress like?

In my opinion, a stay-at-home mom has a huge job. It is tougher than you think, although, many will disagree. As for myself, I expect the best I can. Will I be perfect? Of course not. The dishes will not always be done, dinner may be late or take out, the laundry will stay in the dryer longer than it should, and I may not always wear make-up. This is okay with me. Will society or my husband think differently of me? I know for a fact my husband will think nothing less of me. He is just that great.

What really matters is you take care of your children. Play with them, read to them, let them get dirty. Don’t worry about what others think of you. This is a huge challenge, even for me. I like to be fashionable and I know I won’t always have time to put straighten my hair or accessorize my outfit. What I do know is that I will be there for my son. I will love him and make him my priority. I will make the time to make memories with him and my husband.

I am a stay-at-home mom (or soon –to-be) and will be proud of it. If you are a stay-at-home mom, be proud of yourself. And lastly, if you know a stay-at-home mom, be proud of them. This is not a post to disregard working moms because that is a whole other story and other expectations I can’t give personal experience about. All mommies  are amazing and have the best job in the world!

Sharing is Caring: A Guest Post by Katie Moore on Transitioning into Motherhood.

Tips for Transitioning into Motherhood

 

First time motherhood is a monumental experience that can be filled with anticipation, joy, and amazement. Luckily, the long nine months of pregnancy allow a mom-to-be to address several of her questions and concerns before the baby even arrives.

 

Some decisions should be made prior to the baby's arrival, including:

 

1. Cloth diapering versus disposable - For cloth diapering, there are some start up costs that should be noted, including different sized diaper covers and washable inserts; for disposable diapering, moms should have enough diapers and wipes for the first few weeks of baby's life, but remember that certain brands will work better for each baby so try not to stock up too far in advance in case baby needs a different diaper brand

 

2. Formula versus breast feeding - Every mother has the right to decide how to feed her baby. It has generally been believed that breastfeeding was better for a child, but formula feeding is just as healthy. For breastfeeding, there are several educational resources including lactation specialists at the hospital and breastfeeding classes a woman can take to learn the proper way to get her baby to latch on.

 

Baby formulas are available in several different varieties and the baby may prefer one type to another due to sensitivity, taste and even allergies; moms can contact formula companies and request different samples to have on hand when baby is here and ready to eat; many hospitals and doctor's offices can also provide formula samples until moms find the one that works best for their baby.

 

3. Cord blood banking – Planned for before delivery day with a private storage facility, umbilical cord blood banking is where the cord blood is collected after birth and stored for potential use in treating a possible future illnesses. The medical staff in the delivery room should be made aware that this option has been chosen by the parents so they can plan to perform the collection when the time comes.

 

The first few weeks of baby's life is an adjustment period for mom and baby. For a mother used to a full night's sleep, the interruptions at night to feed the baby can take its toll. Luckily, there are several things that a mom can do to regain her strength and avoid suffering from sleep deprivation:

 

1. Sleep when the baby sleeps! A new mother should relax and avoid the temptation to do housework or other chores when the baby naps. Mom can snuggle into bed and take a nap; even a short amount of time resting can do wonders for their energy level

 

2. Proper Nutrition – A mom should make sure she is eating and drinking enough, especially if breastfeeding, to help keep her energy up. Making it a priority to have small meals throughout the day and always keep a water bottle handy are great ways for a mother to ensure her health is taken care of.

 

3. Accept offers of help – Many times, family and friends want to help a new mom take care of her home and newborn to help during post-delivery recovery. Some mothers may feel reluctant to accept the help either out of embarrassment or the feeling that, as the mother, she needs to be able to handle it all. For a new mother, recovery time is important and she can learn that her feelings of exhaustion will not be forever; accepting help with house chores or babysitting will allow a mother some time to rest and relax.

 

A new mom should know that it is normal to have some emotional ups and downs, known commonly as the “baby blues”. A mother has just gone through a major change and will need time to heal. However, if a mom ever feels like her moods are just too much to handle, she should feel comfortable asking her doctor about postpartum depression. With a great support system of family, friends and medical partners, a mother will breeze into motherhood.

 

This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.  If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.