I'm No Pro

nothing is perfect! motherhood is a journey and a tricky one at that! 

so, here are a few mom tips from myself, to myself:

1. whether it's soothing a baby or disciplining a toddler, there are at least a million 

different tips, techniques, suggestions & methods out there  to try.

 and when you find a trick that actually works for your child, 

it basically feels like [what i imagine] winning the lottery feels like. 

but guess what? nothing is going to work 100% of the time. and that's okay! 

reminder to myself: babies can have bad days too.  they are human, after all.

2. having a routine is good. structure is good. 

but your children will not be permanently damaged

 if their day doesn't always go as planned.
it will not traumatize your children if bedtime, bathtime,
 playtime or meal time happens differently than usual.

reminder to myself: quit obsessing over the routine & embrace the chaos
or you might miss out on something wonderful.

3. my babies have become my entire world. 

i love them with every ounce of my being and can't imagine life without them.  

as such, i can't help but feel guilty when i just want to lay in bed all day. 

or i look at my milk crusted clothes and wish i could go shopping, alone.

 i miss the freedom to being able to meet my friends for a cocktail. 

[friends? what are those?] 

i want to color my hair. i want to go get a pedicure.
i would love to soak up the sun in my backyard all afternoon.

 is it selfish to feel that way? maybe a little. is it normal? i think so.

 would i trade my babies to have all of that back? never. 

reminder to myself: you will have me time again, someday.

4. i think i'm doing pretty well with my role as a stay at home mom. 

however, being cooped up at home all day makes me feel insane some days. 

seriously, it can be so boring. [but all jobs are boring at some point!]

i try to plan something to do outside the house as much as i can,

 but it's bloody hot out and that limits our options. 
plus, packing up two kids is more trouble than it's worth sometimes.

i'm getting better at finding things to occupy my time at home, 

[singing & dancing with lyla mostly]

 but i am still adjusting to the change.

reminder to myself: the world will not stop spinning if you stay at home all day.

5. i've taken notice that my day goes significantly

 better if i start my day with a good attitude. 

i never actually believed in that nonsense, but it's true and it works.

 i admit, sometimes i wake up with a bad attitude or decide to have a pity party for myself.
 but if i'm a grouch, i can always see it reflected in my kids.

and if my kids are grouchy, it makes the day go by even slower. 

it's simple: happy mom=happy kids

reminder to myself: negativity is a magnet. 
quit your complaining & enjoy every single day.

yes, we have hard days. but at the end of the day it's all worth it.
and i know someday [when lyla is yelling at me & calling me mean 
or max is getting in trouble at school] i will look back and 
wish i could live this stage of life with my babies again.

now, just look at these guys. both of them are getting so big & changing so much.

i literally cry if i stare at them for too long. i'm a freak i guess!