Mother's Day 2013

My Mother's Day was supposed to be spent with my side of the family, celebrating motherhood as well as my sister-in-law's birthday.  Well.  That just wasn't destined to happen today.  Last night, after picking Logan up from my brother and sister-in-law's, Logan got sick.  He wasn't able to keep anything down all morning so we ended up not going and just staying home. 

I did, however, wake up to a gift from Jamie:

God, I love this kid.  I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming.  She is smart, witty, caring, genuine, and true to herself.  She was my "date" at a wedding last night (C was the best man) and I just looked at her and was absolutely bursting with pride.  

Look at how pretty she is:

So, because Logan was so sick, this is how we spent most of our day:

Poor thing was so lethargic.  He just wanted to lay and watch TV.  That was after we were finally able to get some water into his system and he was able to keep it down.  So my Mother's Day dinner consisted of this:

Pizza from our favorite local place.  And just hanging out at home.  Thankfully, Logan perked up after he was able to keep down some toast and a part of a banana.  He was even laughing after his bath, which was awesome.

Even though the day was quiet, I am thankful I was able to spend it with my family.  And I guess that is what being a mother truly is.  Being there when your children are sick and in need of comfort.  And knowing they need you really is a blessing.

Logan and Lilah

From Red Wagon Farm on Sunday. Some shots of the little man and my adorable niece (I can't believe she is going to be ONE soon!)

Um, hello??

Sweetness

Meh

Hey...look at me...

Smooches!

Really??

High five!

I give up.  This kid just wants to play with the stupid hay.

I am so NOT a "Crunchy" Mom

After reading a very heated thread on The Bump about being a "crunchy" mom, I felt compelled to post about our parenting style and why we do what we do.

(This is the first free moment I have had all week. No worries; show is over next weekend and I have TONS of projects and plans for the summer vacation!)

We formula-feed. Honestly, and this is JUST MY OPINION, I have never wanted to breast feed. My brothers and I were all formula-fed and we turned out A-okay. I had a breast reduction when I was in college and it was a possibility that breast feeding would not even be an option. But honestly, I knew I was only taking six weeks off and I need my free periods to grade and plan, not sit in an office and pump. I saw how EXHAUSTED my breast feeding friends were, and that just sealed the deal when I was pregnant. Don't get me wrong, I give SO MUCH credit to those that do breast feed, but it was not in our game plan. And C was GLAD I didn't because he LOVES feeding Logan and spending that time with him and bonding as well.

We use disposables. I do an obscene amount of laundry as it is, with two teenagers and two adults. I didn't want to add cloth diapers to the mix. Plus, changing a poopy disposable grosses me out enough!

I work full-time. There is no possible way that I couldn't work full-time. We need to live and maintain a roof over our heads. Now, as a teacher, I am SO lucky to have vacations off and weekends and SUMMER VACATION with the little man and my girls. And honestly, I would go bat-shit-crazy if I stayed home full time.

Logan has slept in his crib since Week 3. Bed sharing is not something I get and I was afraid of squashing him. Our bed is a place for my husband and myself. And our first son, our big goofy dog Ozzie. We have always let Ozzie sleep in our bed and when Logan was born, didn't want him to feel like he was being replaced.

I have never "worn" Logan. Moby Wraps scare me and I always think the baby looks uncomfortable. But, I am probably way wrong on that since so many babies love them.

Logan will get his vaccines on the schedule recommended by his doctor. I will stop there because this is the ONE AREA that I could get judgy on.

That is all for now. I am not being judgmental in ANY WAY and I firmly believe that each family is different and has different needs. We do what is right for our family, and I believe that is how it should be. No mommy has the right to judge any other mommy if she is doing all that she can to keep her baby safe, happy and healthy.

Have a good Friday!

Missing Out

Three weeks ago, I got a random smile from Logan. I was so excited that I almost peed my pants (not really). Then, nothing for a few weeks, aside from the random sleepy/gas-induced grin.

On Saturday, while my 16-year old cousin (and Logan's godmother) was over, he gave her a huge, real smile.

I almost cried because he wasn't smiling at me.

Sunday morning, C got up with Mr. Man and while I was still in bed, he sent me a text saying "We have a smiley baby today." Again, I was upset because it WAS.NOT.ME. Later that day, while Logan was swinging in his Little Lamb swing, he looked at me and grinned. It melted my heart.

Yesterday, when I picked Logan up from his babysitter's (who is also a very close family friend), I told her that Logan was smiling and she said that he had been doing it all day and she KNEW it wasn't just gas. Then today when I picked him up, she said he was doing almost a silent laugh while on his play mat.

And for the first time, I really wish I was home during the day.

Thus far, going back to work has not been too difficult. I have mentioned that I prefer schedules and routine, so going back to work has been really good for both myself and the little guy in that aspect. But when we get home from school, he is usually asleep for a few hours and then eats dinner and I swear, every night, after his 5 PM feeding and between 6 and 7, he is super fussy. Then bath/book time and time to eat and go to bed. I feel like I hardly see him. And for the first time, I wish I was home during the day. I think the fact that I am overtired is making this even worse and I am becoming more emotional.

Tell me, working moms, how the hell do you make it through?