All for Love

I’m by no means a SuperMommy and I haven’t been at it much longer than you…but I’ll share with you what works for me…it’s a work in progress, and always will be :)

If you feel you have to make a choice between having it ALL together or SEMI, most definitely go with the latter.  I made the choice early on to spend the time I can with Cade and let the laundry wait just a little longer.  I don’t want to look back when he’s 10 years old and say, if I’d just played with him 30 minutes more instead of mopping the kitchen right then…

I know how much I’m going to miss this…I already miss him being a newborn infant (although he’s so much fun right now!)  You’re very fortunate to have a spouse who helps as much as it sounds like Brent does.  I do most of this on my own, even though we’re still together…I’m primarily the caregiver…98.9% of the time.  (Strange situation…not enough time or energy to explain haha)  If it weren’t for my Mom I’d probably go crazy!!!  It’s not easy, it’s a balancing act 24/7, 365.  It’s taken me 9 months to get a routine that seems to work, and it’s still not perfect.  There’s always going to be something else that needs to be done…a Mom’s work is never ever done.  I sat down one day and made a decision that I’ve not regretted yet.  From the time I pick him up in the evening until he goes to bed, it’s all about him.  That’s OUR time.  I rarely talk on the phone, I cut the TV on Noggin for his background noise or music, and we play and laugh and eat dinner together, take his bath, etc…but it’s all about him and family time.  After we cuddle and he goes down for the night, I throw the laundry in, take my showers, make food for him (usually this is a 2 day process…I prep and cook the food one night and puree it the next), have my big girl drink some days, clean…

You know the list will go on forever…no need to hash this over!  But if I’m tired, I lay down.  Tomorrow is another day and if the laundry didn’t get folded last night, well I’ll do it tonight, or tomorrow ;)  My choice was to make time for the “other” things, not for my family.  My family gets MY time and the leftover chores get the time that I make for them haha!  Never let anyone tell you that being a Mommy isn’t a job, because it most certainly is.  The most rewarding job you’ll ever have.  Everly is a very lucky, beautiful little girl and there’s nothing that can’t wait for her :) 

Something else that’s helped me is when I need to really get something done, like major house cleaning, I’ll have a friend or family member watch him at their house for a couple hours.  That way I don’t feel like I’m taking anything from him (although I can’t stand giving up time with him).  I light into the cleaning full speed ahead and my drive is knowing that the house will be so clean for him to crawl all over and knowing that when I walk in the door to pick him up, he’ll be grinning from ear to ear!  It’s not a bad thing to ask for a little help every now and then. 

I hope this helps maybe at least a little…ultimately it still comes down to what works best for you and your family.  Try and few different things and see what meshes best with your schedule.  It can be done…sometimes it feels like a rat race, but it’s trial and error.  The best thing is you’re doing what’s the most important, giving her yourself.  Good luck sweetie!