Let me start off by saying this post is in no way saying that SAHM do not have the same problems that working moms do. As a matter of fact, I would love to be a SAHM, but it is just not feasible for our family at this time. This is just my perspective of how I have to deal with tasks, problems, and everyday life as a working mom.
On Sunday (3/12, yes almost two weeks ago...it's taken me that long to finish this entry) I was folding laundry, trying to get to the grocery store, wanting to go run, and thinking about the week ahead.....which involved packing lunches, more laundry, work, trying to work out, and enjoying being with my family. I said out loud to Mike that I wish I was in the other room playing and devoting my time to M. But I knew if I didn't get this work done, then I would be dealing with it during the weekdays (which I dread) and my OCD self can not handle that. I did remind my self that I had taken M to the festival at my school for a couple hours on Saturday, so we had definitly enjoyed quite a bit of time together. But it was just the fact that I have to do this tedious stuff to keep the house going.
This year has been quite the stressful year with the group of students that I have. It is not that they are bad to say, they just are very chatty, have a difficult time following directions and are very drama filled. I made the promise to myself once M was born that I would be out the door of the classroom at promptly 3:30 and there would be very little "extra time" spent at the school. If papers aren't graded or plans aren't completely done, well then oh well. Family has become my first priority. So talking about my school day is usually off the list because I just can't take anymore time away from my "family life."
As a working mom, I always feel like there is something that has to be done, as stated in the second paragraph. I have come to terms that yes, sometimes I won't get the house exactly as clean as I would like or that I may have to skip a run. I have learned that being present is what is important right now. My sweet daughter will not be 2 forever. She will not want to sing nursery rhymes, play dinosaurs, or sit in my lap forever. It is hard trying to juggle everything that there is to do to keep our household going, but I am doing the best I can.
I may not be perfect, but I am pretty sure I am "perfect" in my daughter's eyes!
Side note: This post took two weeks to complete because other things were a little more important. Another playing catch-up moment.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Part 3-The final verdict
I stuck to it, just like I always do. Pacifier gone in 1 week. Potty training in 3 days (still making progress). Night weaning in 10 days. Yes, I am one, that once I set a deadline, it will be accomplished.
This post is a little delayed past the 10 day mark of night weaning, but I would say it has remained the same since day eight. My sweet girl has gone from nursing 1 to 6 or 7 times a night, to none!!!
Let's just say, I so needed this and in the end, it was actually quite easier than I expected.
McKenna still nurses to sleep (which is fine with me) and then sleeps for her seven hours without nursing. The mornings often involve a nurse session around 5:15 to 5:45. Then I am up getting ready for the day. She will typically sleep another hour. I find myself having to wake her around 7:15 to get up to head to the sitter's.
We did complete the process by continuing bed-sharing and we will continue to bed-share till at least the spring. We live in a 1940s home and there is no insulation in the walls. I refuse to put my child in a room that has two windows facing the elements (this is honestly one of the main reasons we bed-share, besides the fact that I love the snuggles).
Upon completing our night weaning, McKenna has also reduced her daily nursing sessions. She will nurse first thing in the morning before I get up. She no longer requires a nurse session when I pick her up from the sitter's. She may or may not have a nurse session between 5-7pm. Then it is basically a nurse session to go to sleep.
Like I said in the beginning, I hoped McKenna would initiate self-weaning, but that has yet to happen. I have reached my point of being touched out at times, wanting my space and feeling overwhelmed. I know I will miss these special moments, but it is what will be best for us in the end. I continue to cherish each and every time we meet to nurse. It is a super-special bond that I will never forget. EVER!
This post is a little delayed past the 10 day mark of night weaning, but I would say it has remained the same since day eight. My sweet girl has gone from nursing 1 to 6 or 7 times a night, to none!!!
Let's just say, I so needed this and in the end, it was actually quite easier than I expected.
McKenna still nurses to sleep (which is fine with me) and then sleeps for her seven hours without nursing. The mornings often involve a nurse session around 5:15 to 5:45. Then I am up getting ready for the day. She will typically sleep another hour. I find myself having to wake her around 7:15 to get up to head to the sitter's.
We did complete the process by continuing bed-sharing and we will continue to bed-share till at least the spring. We live in a 1940s home and there is no insulation in the walls. I refuse to put my child in a room that has two windows facing the elements (this is honestly one of the main reasons we bed-share, besides the fact that I love the snuggles).
Upon completing our night weaning, McKenna has also reduced her daily nursing sessions. She will nurse first thing in the morning before I get up. She no longer requires a nurse session when I pick her up from the sitter's. She may or may not have a nurse session between 5-7pm. Then it is basically a nurse session to go to sleep.
Like I said in the beginning, I hoped McKenna would initiate self-weaning, but that has yet to happen. I have reached my point of being touched out at times, wanting my space and feeling overwhelmed. I know I will miss these special moments, but it is what will be best for us in the end. I continue to cherish each and every time we meet to nurse. It is a super-special bond that I will never forget. EVER!
I love you too!
It is the most wonderful thing to watch your child grow and learn. Within the past six months our little one has taken on a personality all her own. She is developing her interests, trying new foods, encountering and overcoming obstacles, and testing new social encounters. What an amazing sight it is to watch our baby develop into the child she is and has always been.
McKenna is very verbal. She can communicate very well. It amazes me with the number of people that have told us they are surprised at how well our 29 month old can talk. I mean, yes she is my daughter, and yes she is pretty amazing. We have always been adamant on engaging McKenna in our conversations. We also talked to her about what was going on and described the surroundings to her from a very young age. I think it has really paid off.
She can count to twelve, say her ABC's, recite multiple nursery rhymes, knows colors and shapes, and of course says "I love you too, Mommy." It honestly melted my heart the first time I told M "I love you" and she replied "I love you too, Mommy." I was flabbergasted because I did not expect it to come out of her mouth. My heart expanded a hundred times over and continues to do so.
It astonishes me how quickly she is growing. I wish time could slow down, but then again I am enjoying all that she is learning and can do on her own. Some people call this the "terrible twos," but I call it the "developing twos" because she is becoming her own. It's only terrible if you make it terrible.
Yes, our girl has her episodes of tantrums in which she is "not getting what she wants." But that is a part of growing up. We try to talk with her and help her realize why things are not going the way she wants. And then there are the majority of our days that are spent with our energetic, funny, inquisitive, challenging, sweet, friendly, and caring daughter. Oh and her memory...you better not say anything you don't mean because she remembers from ages ago!
My girl is a lover of dinosaurs, trains, Peppa Pig, and anything that involves bouncing, running, or climbing. I love you to the moon and back sweet girl. And I look forward to watching you continue to grow and learn.
McKenna is very verbal. She can communicate very well. It amazes me with the number of people that have told us they are surprised at how well our 29 month old can talk. I mean, yes she is my daughter, and yes she is pretty amazing. We have always been adamant on engaging McKenna in our conversations. We also talked to her about what was going on and described the surroundings to her from a very young age. I think it has really paid off.
She can count to twelve, say her ABC's, recite multiple nursery rhymes, knows colors and shapes, and of course says "I love you too, Mommy." It honestly melted my heart the first time I told M "I love you" and she replied "I love you too, Mommy." I was flabbergasted because I did not expect it to come out of her mouth. My heart expanded a hundred times over and continues to do so.
It astonishes me how quickly she is growing. I wish time could slow down, but then again I am enjoying all that she is learning and can do on her own. Some people call this the "terrible twos," but I call it the "developing twos" because she is becoming her own. It's only terrible if you make it terrible.
Yes, our girl has her episodes of tantrums in which she is "not getting what she wants." But that is a part of growing up. We try to talk with her and help her realize why things are not going the way she wants. And then there are the majority of our days that are spent with our energetic, funny, inquisitive, challenging, sweet, friendly, and caring daughter. Oh and her memory...you better not say anything you don't mean because she remembers from ages ago!
My girl is a lover of dinosaurs, trains, Peppa Pig, and anything that involves bouncing, running, or climbing. I love you to the moon and back sweet girl. And I look forward to watching you continue to grow and learn.
Delighted expression
The little explorer
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