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.

Welcome Baby Luca

My cousin, bridesmaid and friend, Michele along with her husband welcomed baby Luca into the world about a week ago. Baby Luca is handsome and healthy and the new mom is doing great! It is so exciting to welcome another baby into the family. I'm excited for Mason to have a cousin to play with at family events and during the holidays. I'm excited to watch their relationship grow into a friendship like Michele and mine has and I'm excited to be an Aunt for the first time (yay).

                                             

Visiting Michele, Jonathan & baby Luca in the hospital brought back a ton of memories of our experience with Mason. Wow, we are so far removed from those first days of bringing him home. No one could of prepared us for those first few days (ok maybe weeks). It is amazing how your motherly instinct kicks in and your pre baby life suddenly seems like a lifetime ago. The love you have the moment you set eyes our your child is indescribable. That love I have for Mason has only grown with him and it is hard to imagine loving anyone more. 

My advice to my cousin or any new mom is (not that I'm an expert by any means):

- sleep when the baby sleeps (you don't know tired until you have a baby)

- embrace and enjoy this time; things change so quicky and get easier but snuggle that baby now (the laundry will always be there)

- lean on other moms. You will find that that's where you will find your biggest support on your worst days. Plus, they always seem to know something you don't. 

Being a mom has been a true blessing for me and I have a feeling the bond of motherhood will only bring my cousin and I closer. I couldn't be happier for her and their family of 3!