Mommy Guilt

It's a thing....really it is and sometimes it just creeps up on me and in turn makes me doubt pretty much everything I am doing.  Mommy Guilt usually arrives in full force when we have a bad day or a bad few days.  I start asking myself several questions: Am I doing enough with Mason? Are we getting out enough doing enough kid friendly activities?  Am I creating or feeding into his "naughty" behavior?  Am I giving in too much with TV/iphone just to make my life easier; is that really the best solution? Should I have more patience?  The good news; regardless of how I am feeling I never question if he is getting enough love or the best care a we can provide.  I know those boxes are always checked (thanks goodness).

Honestly, I know I am being hard on myself and that I am doing the best I can (I think...).  With the colder weather creeping up on us and another babe on the way I'm worried about how we are going to survive what could be a VERY long winter.  Maybe it is the anxiety of it all or just that fact that I need a mommy time out because I know in a day or two we will have the best day ever and all doubt will vanish...like it never existed.   Even on our rough days that little voice calling out "mommy mommy" in complete excitement or getting a random hug while making breakfast is both heart melting and heartwarming.  Personally, I think being a mom is the best job in the world but with that comes the good, bad and the ugly.

*as an update our morning progressively got better which makes for both a happier child and mommy*

Here a two of my go to mommy blogs that tell the truth about parenting while always bringing a smile to my face! Happy Reading:

Camp Patton - Grace has four kids 4 and under and keeps things honest and comical all at the same time.

Coffee + Crumbs - a serious of stories about motherhood that are full of raw honesty yet very heartwarming.

Not Always Sunshine & Roses

I love being a mom, and being a stay at home mom is my dream job. I love my child and find it so rewarding to watch him grow day in and day out. I could go on for hours about how amazing parenthood is but today I won't. It isn't always sunshine and roses. I have a toddler that is sweet, kind and wonderful but also stubborn, a little defiant and frustrating. He can't communicate with me as to exactly what is wrong. So, as we all start to recover from the plague (aka the flu) and Mason still continues to whine/cry, get irritated easily and want to be held, my days seem to have doubled in length. I'm assuming his stomach still hurts and the excess drool means some teeth are coming but honestly who knows (your guess is as good as mine).  With my back going out yesterday afternoon my panic set in. My solution to my pain and never ending day: a chiropractic appointment scheduled for the following day and some retail therapy with my mom (an extra bonus when you find a lululemon sale item you just have to have).

Rough days make me realize a some things: 

1. Wow we are lucky we don't have a child that usually cries all day. Blessed might be a better word 

2. I need a mommy break and a second to breathe 

3. Patience isn't my strong suit when the going gets tough 

4. I love love love being a mommy but it isn't always sunshine and roses

5. Later this week when we have a stellar day playing outside and giggling this day will be one of the past

{Mommy Love}

Wow, Mason has been sick for FOREVER (or at least that is what it feels like to us).  Thankfully our little man is slowly becoming himself again (giggling, playing, eating & running) what a relief.  His average cold/fever turned into Roseola; a virus that strikes 24 hours after the fever breaks resulting in a rash.  The past week has been spent holding Mason and watching countless hours of Dora and Bubble Guppies.  As a mom it was heartbreaking to watch Mason be so lethargic, all I wanted to do was take away his pain.  We are so thankful the end is near and that you can only get Roseola once (per the doc).

Now for some Mommy Love:
Being a mom is a 24 hour job; personally I think it is the best job I have ever had!  Being a mother comes natural to me and I am so blessed to be able to stay home with Mason everyday.  I'm so lucky and I know that.  As Mason gets older I have started carving out time for myself (something my mom has been encouraging me to do from day one) if it is heading to a workout class, grabbing drinks with friends, making crafty ornaments etc.  This past month I have done a couple of things that have made me so happy, which in turn makes everyone around me happy (happy mommy = happy baby & happy husband).

1) I purchased a monthly unlimited package at The Dailey Method! I absolutely love their classes (try one if you live near one of their studios).  I was able to get the new member package and have been able to take full advantage of it.  I've attended 15 class and still have 4 days left in my unlimited month.  Attending these classes has challenged my body, yet allowed me to clear my mind for 60 minutes.  I already feel stronger and more fit in such a sort period of time!  I'm thankful for Matt for holding down the fort while I sneak out for some "me time."

2) I had a sitter come to watch Mason during the day.  Remember how I said I love being a mom?!?!?! Well, I do and since my "job" is to stay home I didn't/don't feel like paying a babysit to watch Mason during the day is necessary.  However, Matt was out of the country for a full week and will be traveling more for work in the next couple of months.  My mom has been out of pocket (with a broken shoulder) so I  knew I was going to need a "break." Or a couple hours to run some errands.  The few hours the sitter was at home made my week!  I was able to do several different errands (aka get in and out of the car like 5 times without having to deal with the car seat) and get a workout it in.  I had totally forgotten how quickly tasks could get done.  Mase was a rock star with the sitter which only made me more happy.  The sitter was 100% worth it and I will be taking another 3 hour mommy break in the future.

So, my mom was right you need to make time for yourself.  Even with a week long sick Mase these simple time outs have made me a better mom.