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Jayme and I have both posted about it recently and it's no secret: being a mom is hard. I work from home, so I am with Aurora all day and all evening. I work during her nap times and between cooking dinner, cleaning up and spending time with my husband when he gets home, I don't really get time to myself unless I wake up early or stay up late.
I have found that it's necessary to get some alone time during the day (or at least, every other day, if possible) to refuel. My two favorite ways to refresh are writing and exercise.
a little indulgence never hurt!coffee is one of my weaknesses.
If I have the happy fortune of a good night's rest, I might wake up before Aurora. I love to sit in the kitchen at sunrise with my coffee and taking 15-20 minutes to write what's called "morning pages." I just write whatever comes to mind, stream-of-consciousness style, whether it's a list of my daily chores, notes for a new story or blog, or just a diary-style entry of what I've been up to. Morning pages help to clear my mind and often open doors to my creativity.
If I have a free night where I don't have to work, I love to exercise. I'm surprised to hear myself say this because it's only a recent realization. I have discovered Zumba, and I love it! I actually have fun while sweating and working my entire body. I feel pretty amazing after a half an hour workout. It's true that exercise gives you more energy, as long as you can muster up the energy to do it!
As moms, we have to take time to nourish our selves in order to be our best. Even if it's just 15 or 20 minutes, it's time well spent.
Mondays are 25% off days at my favorite thrift nearby. That means it's really crowded and disorderly, but if you can brave it, you'll often come away with a few really great finds for extra cheap.
Yesterday, Aurora and I went at lunch time, and we found a little gift awaiting us in the furniture section: a kiddo-sized armchair with a rocking bottom! I shoved it (awkwardly) into the cart and made my way to the checkout. It was priced at $14.99, and with 25% off, that made it...well, really cheap.
As soon as I set it down on the kitchen floor when we got home, Aurora climbed on. She rocked in it and climbed all over it. I moved it into her room and finally found a place for the vintage blanket I've been wanting to display. Now, her nursery is almost done (my parents are coming down for the weekend, which provided some extra motivation!). A nursery tour to come, but today, I just wanted to share Aurora's Chair!
I think she likes it!
Hi, Mama!
Reading "Where is Baby's Belly Button?" (one of our favorites)
"Where's baby's mouth?" "Behind the cup!"
Climbing up to make it rock!
My sweet girl.
I love that Aurora has a little room (and chair!) of her own. I see many hours of story reading and stuffed animal snuggling in her future.
Since Lyla was born I have become uber-obsessed with taking photos. I just want to document every little (adorable!!) thing she does. The thing about this new day and age of digital photography--it seems rare that people actually get printed copies of their photos. I'm trying to make more of an effort to do that.
I used to work in a frame shop and have a real love for wall-art and framed photos. I think pretty much every wall in our house has something hung on it. It's so tempting to plaster framed photos of Lyla all over our house. But rather than just framed photos.... how about a printed ceramic tile? That's what Sadie Ryan Keepsakes offers. Pretty great idea because as their website says: 'things etched in stone last forever.'
I was super excited when they offered me a free printed tile--of course I chose to have Lyla's face on it! It's an awesome commemorative piece with her name and birthdate as well.
We currently have it displayed on a bureau in our dining room, but it also has hardware on the back that makes it possible to hang on a wall (but like I said...we kind of have all our walls covered already!). I really love the antique feel that the tile has. The photo is printed on the tile with soft edges--giving it a seamless look. So pretty!
These tiles would make a lovely gift-- not only for a birth announcement but perhaps for a wedding? an anniversary? What would you have printed on your tile?
Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles is generously offering one of our readers a chance to have a personalized tile of their own! If you follow our blog, simply click THIS LINK to the Sadie Ryan Keepsakes website and check it out! Leave us a comment below telling us what ideas from the site you like best.
Last day to enter will be Saturday, March 12th Wednesday, March 16th. We will choose the winner by random number generator. Good luck!
Yesterday Andrew took the day off. Thank goodness. Not only is it much easier taking care of a baby with a partner to help out...but Lyla is SUCH a daddy's girl and always seems to be in a better mood when he's around (not to mention, I'm in a much better mood when he's around too! Andrew and I joke that I'm "obsessed" with him.... I would spend every second of the day with him if I could!).
We took a risk and toted our fussy baby along with us to do some errands-- coffee & groceries. Lyla did surprisingly well . And I wore a skirt!
tights-hand me down from Amanda, blue suede clogs-Steve Madden
Our routine with Lyla is that Andrew (daddy) is her "stylist" on the weekends. I love to see what he picks out for her to wear! Unfortunately we took these photos at the end of our adventure-filled day and she was pretty grumpy. So she wasn't much for a photo op. Here's what she needed to be doing:
As Andrew says, "Lyla doesn't fight sleep...she hunts it down and kills it." Seriously--this girl is a mover and a shaker! She NEVER wants to rest. Poor momma. (notice it's daddy that got her to go to sleep....he has the magic touch!).
Hope you're all having a great weekend. We're working on a little re-design for the blog...so stay tuned! It's going to have a similar look to our other blog- Miskabelle.
While Jayme is experiencing all of the physical and emotional difficulties of a new baby (breastfeeding, sleepless nights, endless crying), I'm starting to feel the...existential (spiritual) and financial ones.
I've always thought way too far ahead, been too emotional and an overanalyzer. These tools can be helpful at times, but as a mom, they can be paralyzing. I want Aurora's life to be easier than mine was growing up...not that I didn't have wonderful parents, but we struggled. A lot.
I know money isn't everything, but it seems so hard to make life better for Aurora. Just yesterday, I was on the phone with three (yes, 3) loan companies, trying to figure out my student debt (my parents couldn't afford to pay for college, so I made my way with scholarships, loans, and a part time job; however, I made the mistake of going to grad school all on my own). I'm working part time at a job that shall not be named because I hate it. I love our Etsy shops and blogs, but the way the market is, they're not enough to make a living wage. And even with this part-time job, I'm not making enough to put money away in a college fund, or even pay those college loans (I'm in deferment). I'm able to work from home, which is a huge blessing since the cost of childcare in the DC area is prohibitive (even if I worked full time).
I am doing the best I can, but sometimes it doesn't seem like enough. I want to give Aurora everything. I know it's enough to give her all of my love and a stable home where she feels safe and protected, but in the world we live in, it just doesn't feel like enough.
Here's the other hard part about being a mom: I want to be happy in my life outside of motherhood.
Nothing brings me more joy than Aurora. So desperately wanting to work a job I love seems a little selfish at times. I'm able to be at home with her--why am I always complaining and stressed out? It's because I'm not feeling fulfilled creatively. I'm not being inspired. I'm being drained, drop by drop, by a company who could care less about me and my family. I'm marginally using my degree, but not in the way I intended. I want to be writing creatively, not grading utterly uncreative essays. I want to be out meeting people and forming relationships, not isolated at the computer for hours a day. I want to be my own boss. I want to do what I love. But it's hard to take that risk.
When I had two months away from that awful job to devote myself to Miskabelle and Miskabelly, I was much happier. Even the most mundane tasks were enjoyable to me. We had our best month of sales ever. But now, that business has to take a back seat. And I miss it.
I am blessed to have a job, I know. I am blessed that my husband has a good job. We have a house. We have working heat and running water and two cars and health insurance. But we're still just scraping by. All of my idealistic college dreams, of how life would be better for me and my children...they're just not a reality. Things are different, yes. But there are no bootstraps anywhere that I can see. And I know it's worse for so many, and that's an additional burden on my heart and mind.
It's time like these that I'm reminded why I believe in God, in a different realm, in a better place...this can't be it. There has to be more. I need something to cling to because the world is just not doing it. Which reminds me of a powerful C.S. Lewis quote: “If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (The idea was made into a song by Brooke Fraser, who I love. I posted it at the end, if you want to have a listen. You should check her music out regardless of your beliefs because she is amazing.)
Maybe that's what I'm feeling. That, and a lot of stress. I'm so thankful I have a loving and supportive husband and family in this world. But I'm always longing for more--and not just for me, but for everyone in my life: more love, more joy, more satisfaction, more time, more energy, more faith. If I am successful at anything as a mom, I hope that Aurora will feel the same way. I hope she'll have faith and hope and love.
That's my mental and heart space right now. Where are you at, moms of this world? Striving? Struggling? Satisfied?
Warmer weather is a'comin' (and so is the Easter holiday for many of us). We're stocking the shop with sweet little outfits for your sweet little ones.
plaid onesie w/ Peter Pan collar and removeable vest 6-9 months
lightweight corduroy bunny overalls 12-18 mos.
smocked Polly Flinders rosebud dress (it has a matching bonnet!) 12 months
little white Easter dress w/ lace trim 0-3 mos.
pink corduroy skirt jumper 24 mos.
pretty Easter dress w/ square neckline and lace cap sleeves 6-9 mos.
denim vest 12 mos.
All of this (and MORE!) coming to the shop very, very soon...but if you see something you MUST have, drop us an email to reserve it: miskabelle (at) gmail (dot) com.
Today I had (yet ANOTHER) follow up appointment at by OB. The sun was shining and figured I might was well take advantage and get a little fancied up--pretty much that means I switched out my jeans for a skirt today. Guys...I am in serious fashion crisis! I feel pretty clueless lately when I get dressed. My brain just isn't working. Not gonna lie...Lyla is a difficult baby. We're struggling to get her to sleep and she cries so dang much. I'm trying different things--changing my diet (cutting out dairy), keeping her swaddled, white noise, etc. but nothing seems to be a sure fire cure. So honestly, fashion is the last thing on my mind. I snapped a couple quick pics anyway--maybe I can look back on them a couple months from now and remember this rough patch--and hopefully see some progression, both in my fashion sense and in my skills as a mama.
chambray cardigan from Ross, Michael Stars tank, vintage skirt and belt,
Calvin Klein nude fishnet tights, black campus boots from Marshalls (I think?)
Lyla and a close up of my tights!
She fell asleep in the car on the way home (which lasted for all of 10 minutes--
just long enough for me to snap a pic of her in her little bonnet!).
Have you entered our giveaway from Hug-a-Tree Crafts yet? If not, scroll down and check it out! It's super cute. And I'm sure you're sick of me asking....but if you want, you can vote for us on Top Baby Blogs by clicking the box on the top right. ; )
