Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Ode to the Working Mom

I thought I needed or should give a shout out to all the working moms today because lately I feel (from other blogs, facebook, etc) that working moms get the low end of the mom chain. Some of us moms work because we need to financially, some of us work because we need to mentally, others, dare I say it, just love our jobs. Does that mean that we love our kids any less???

Absolutely NOT! I am the type of person that is wired to work; although I need to financially, I would still probably do it if I didn't. I have always been very driven in my career and that won't change because I start a family. Don't get me wrong, my family is the most important thing to me. I made a decision to slow down and start a family a couple years ago and now I'm on a role again; that is something that means a lot to me also, it's in my blood.

Working moms work 40 hours a week but that isn't even our full time job.....being  a mom is my full time job and everything else is behind that. Some may think " How could you have someone else raise your child?", or "why would you have kids if you're not going to be around?". I argue that I still am raising my children. While I know that being a SAHM is hard, believe me, I tried it during maternity leave and about went crazy with how busy I was; it was not for me. SAHMs do a lot in their daily life, but it is not for everyone. I started talking to myself and making up professional scenarios in my head... that can never be good.While I miss my baby during the day, it makes coming home so much better. There's never a day I need a "break".




While I work 40 hours a week, working moms are still responsible for all the things SAHMs do: pediatrician appointments, extracurriculur activities, laundry, dinner on the table, baking, keeping up with appointments, dusting the furniture and making sure the kids are dressed and ready to go for the day. On top of all of that...I still have time to Pinterest once in awhile. We don't get a brake from being  a mom just because we work, we get the joys of that on top of everything else.

I feel  working is me taking care of my family. It keeps me motivated to keep moving forward and going towards my dreams. It teaches my children about responsibility, success and following your dreams. I still plan to maybe go back to school, work full time and make it to Riley's swim lessons or soccer practice. I don't want to think I can do it all but when you have a team like I do everything falls into place. My husband is an amazing father and the closest thing to a SAHD (stay at home dad) I will ever get; yet he works 40 hours a week and most Saturdays. We work to provide our kids with the best opportunities and give them a life that we didn't have growing up. It keeps us grounded, it keeps us from going insain to some level. We bring home the bacon and cook it too!

So glasses up! Cheers to the  full time moms that have a 40 hour work week! Not all superheroes wear capes! 
















Monday, January 13, 2014

My List

 

Those of you that know me know that I am completely unorganized...not really dirty just messy. I love my clothes all over the closet because then I know where they are. When Josh picks them up and does me laundry, all hell breaks loose! I can't find anything, everything is missing and it's all his fault. Well to keep me organized in life and in work, I make lists. A lot of lists. Lists about everything and everything. 

One thing I've been thinking about is a life list. I have been seeing these on some blogs I follow and it got me thinking about me own life. I feel that I have done so many amazing things and really lived my life to the foolest but it's not over just because I'm a mom; It's just beginning. 


Learn how to sew
Drink a beer in Ireland
Go to Disneyworld for Christmas
Bake a cake from scratch
Go skiing
Ice skate in central park
Take a picture at the Bean in Chicago
Write a book, or make my blog into a book
Get my PHd
Be a grandmother
go to the red carpet for the Academy Awards
Make a difference in someones life
Be debt free
Run a 10k
Play the piano
Swim with dolphins
Host a holiday event at my house
Renew our wedding vows
Go on a cruise
Wear red lipstick
Make my own bread
Go to a taping of the View in NYC
Read the Great Gasby
Meet someone famous
Make my own furniture
Have a halloween party
Visit the Grand Canyon
Buy another house


Sometimes it's good to make lists; they keep you in check, make sure you are staying on track. Life happens fast and before you know it you are 34 and having your second baby. Live your life, don't let it live you. Do the things you always dreamed of doing; fly kites, play in the sand, build paper airplanes. No matter how big or small, your life list matters. 

Happy Monday

Friday, January 10, 2014

2013- What a year!

Now that it is a week into the new year I figured it was a good time to reflect and review what last year was all about. It went by so fast that I really haven't had time to think about it. I really have mixed feeling about last year. It was good, it was bad, it was sad and it was in credible all in one sentence.

Let's talk about the good (always go with the good first):
Riley had the gift of hearing; she heard my voice for the first time and it is a miracle. She had her cochlear implant surgey and was activated July 11th. She is really only 6 months hearing age and is taking off like crazy. It's a miracle.

We found out Riley is going to be a big sister to a little SISTER! More estrogen in our house and I can not wait. I can't wait for tea parties, spa days and slumber party galore; 14 more weeks to go.

I started a new job (same college) but working in the office of career services. I really love this move because I get to work closely with students and see their dreams come true. I am truly happy with this move. It is a little farther of a commute but still nothing compares to when I was driving downtown to CSU everyday; 30 miles turned into 60 minutes almost everyday. No traffic in the country-BONUS


Now the ugly:

Riley has had so many issues with her implants that was so unexpected. She has now had three surgeries since July and will have another one this may or June. I wish everyday that it would be me with the hearing loss, and me that has to go through these surgeries. She is the happiest baby on the block and doesn't even what she has been going through this year. She had her first ambulance ride, which our hospital is over 2 hours one way, and her first surgery in 2013.

I feel alittle guilty because I haven't been paying much attention to this pregnancy as I did Riley. I mean I had pictures weekly posted of my belly and my progress; some week with baby #2 I forget what week I am on. All I know is she will be here in 3.5 months and we don't have a name picked out. Things have just been so crazy that this pregnancy just flew by.....baby girl, I promise it will be different once you are here. We love you to the moon and back.

What I've learned:

People do change: I always thought that people don't change. Maybe it's not changing, just more growing apart. I've learned that I don't have time for negativity or people that just take every once of happiness out of you when you talk to them. I have to stay positive in everything that is going on, attitude is everything and you choose how you react to situation. I can't keep up with the Joneses and I don't want to. I can barely keep up with the Niedzwicki's. In 2014 I am going to surround myself with people that I love and don't have to compete with. It's not worth it.

God's plan is the right plan. I think that is enough said. There are so many things that I think....what if? What if I never moved to Indiana? What if I Riley was born with normal hearing? What if I wouldn't have had fertility issues? god knows and he placed everything accordingly. I believe more in God's plan than I ever had. He keeps giving me test, challenges and once I think we've gotten through one bump, another one comes.

I married the most amazing father/husband I ever met or known. He is my saving grace and is everything to his girl. The way she is becoming quite the daddies girl makes me happy. That's what i want, it makes me love him even more. 

 2014 is going to be a great year and I can't wait to watch our family grow. These three are my whole world and what 2014 is going to be about.