tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2777322754221866302023-11-16T10:56:39.125-08:00She's WinningRe-defining success one small win at a time.Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-22900220682403937022019-06-21T08:59:00.000-07:002019-06-21T11:07:50.335-07:00My favorite hello and my hardest goodbye<br />
It's been a week since we rushed to the emergency vet with the most loving, loyal, furry friend we could ever have. I've known we were nearing the end of his life for some time. I spent a lot of time worrying about it over the last few months. Would I be strong enough to let him go when the time came? He had a progressive heart disease so I had talked to the vet about what to look out for many times and had read the same articles on the internet over and over again. I knew his life was getting harder and I had whispered to him that if he needed to let go, it was ok. I didn't want him to be in pain. I would miss him terribly but I would be ok. <br />
<br />
Now I'm struggling to hold up my end of that bargain. I really want to be ok but there is no quick fix to make this pain go away. <br />
<br />
In the end things went down hill very abruptly and quickly that night and the decision to make him comfortable was not hard. We were told this was the end and we just wanted to stop the suffering and make him comfortable. I was surprised by the abruptness and his vet told me that dogs often hide things from their people until they just can't anymore. I just finished the book "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and I'm convinced that just like the dog in the book, he planned it that way for me. He didn't want that moment to be any harder than it already was. He took care of me up until his last breath. <br />
<br />
We grew up together in a sense. When I first saw that little puppy full of joy, there was an instant connection and I knew I was meant to be his person. When he was a puppy my husband and I were in our mid 20s and not even married yet. He taught us to be responsible for someone other than ourselves. We were adventurous in those days and so was he. He was an energetic puppy when I needed that, though, he was always the perfect mix of active and snuggly. Now here we are, I'm about to turn 40. My husband and I have 3 kids. I spend most of my time at home. I work part time from home and when I'm not working I'm watching our kids. This lifestyle was the perfect fit for him as an older dog. He was ALWAYS by my side. While I worked, he sat in the chair with me or by my feet. While I played with the kids he sat next to me or in my lap. And when I slept he was curled up next to me. He was exactly what I needed at every stage as I grew from the 25-year-old figuring out adult life to the mom I am now that spends most of my time concentrated on family life.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite go-to quotes with my kids has always been the Dr Seuss quote: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." In fact, I love the quote so much, I put it above my kids' doors in our last house. I want them to end each day happy and focused on the the good parts rather than crying because the fun has ended. <br />
<br />
Now here I am wanting so badly to follow that mantra but I'm finding it so difficult to stop crying about it being over. I have these scattered moments of desperation where I just want him to sit with me one more time or sleep next to me one last time. I'm trying with all that I am to change my focus and smile because it happened. There are so many big and little life moments with him that keep flashing through my mind. So many moments to smile about...<br />
<br />
When he jumped up and down with excitement as my husband got down on his knee and proposed to me. The miles and miles of Arizona he hiked with us in our pre-kid years. When we sat at the edge of the Grand Canyon together in awe. Or that time the three of us snuggled up as close as we could on a freezing cold camping trip in the middle of nowhere. That time we hiked down a river and accidentally walked up to a nudest colony... I stared at Rocky the whole time because I didn't know where else to look. <i>Ok, I can't help but giggle with that one. </i> The many many times he stood up on his hind legs, put his paws on my shoulders and licked my tears when something was wrong throughout the years. And the many many times he showed his excitement when we were happy about something. How it never mattered that we moved around so much because we were his pack and as long as we were together, he was happy. He would get so excited about checking out our new space. Oh and I remember when he knew I was in labor even before I did. <i>People say dogs sense stuff like that and they do. They are pretty amazing like that. </i> When we brought home our babies and he loved snuggling them. All those long nights of feeding newborns with him by my side. He wanted to sleep just as much as I did but he would walk down the hall to the baby's room with me every time and stayed by my side to show his support. When he taught our first toddler to throw his ball and then he didn't want him to nap so he slept outside his room waiting for him to wake. How he would push the ball with his nose to everyone and anyone that was willing to play. When we brought him to dog parks and he only played with big dogs. <i>We are pretty sure that he always thought that he was a big dog. </i> Or the swimming at the beach. <i>Oh, how he loved swimming. </i> And if someone in our house was sick, he was right by their side until they were better. He was so so smart and always knew how to be there for all of us. <br />
<br />
I AM going to be ok, Rocky. I promised you I would be and I will. You gave me so much to smile about and I'll love you forever for that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlMWTa46w-81Civ8slv7lyOr4Q1Fl8TFjTcnn_IrMjNCVO1qqbW6kEp9usdy3fYsNqvJQ9Xga33kP5Xx8cpuX1s3fYrokP_XQ8wf1NjdM69VMwYKn-iBAaCewda4KqiSklQom85b41ixJ/s1600/Rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1125" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlMWTa46w-81Civ8slv7lyOr4Q1Fl8TFjTcnn_IrMjNCVO1qqbW6kEp9usdy3fYsNqvJQ9Xga33kP5Xx8cpuX1s3fYrokP_XQ8wf1NjdM69VMwYKn-iBAaCewda4KqiSklQom85b41ixJ/s320/Rocky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"You were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye." </div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-12251134985285345102018-06-04T16:22:00.000-07:002018-06-06T15:37:32.998-07:00Change is hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSTRmIQujwL4GKhawaeLiqyBZLyWpRP0SRIXgxAxCVwaG2GnfqL0jNom-UBG6mQ5zJwng4v6pXJMwgAGVX7NNdOcG9PrcPIocVLnCdnwh2q6K3UVWA6e0YXXJjkugxH7Yq3Sl4Ez19HL_/s1600/Moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSTRmIQujwL4GKhawaeLiqyBZLyWpRP0SRIXgxAxCVwaG2GnfqL0jNom-UBG6mQ5zJwng4v6pXJMwgAGVX7NNdOcG9PrcPIocVLnCdnwh2q6K3UVWA6e0YXXJjkugxH7Yq3Sl4Ez19HL_/s320/Moving.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I am 22 days and 7 hours from moving across the country (from Arizona to Illinois) with my hubby, three kids and our dog. Our house is currently covered in boxes. Our kids have so many questions. I'm happy one minute... stressed the next... and sad 2 hours later! It's really such a roller coaster of emotions.<br />
<br />
Change is nothing new to me, my husband or our kids for that matter. We've moved and changed jobs or situations more than most. In fact I'd say I actually thrive on change and get bored rather quickly. At work, I focus on website optimization which means I'm constantly trying to improve the areas of the site I've been assigned. We try new things. We learn from them. Repeat. I think I've been happy in this type of role for so long because it really is a journey, not a destination. There's no end point. There are wins and losses along the way. But no matter how much optimization we do this year, there will be more to do next year. And the site will keep on changing. <i>I love this. </i> I think "optimization" is in my blood. At work. At home. Everyday. I'm the type of person that is not willing to settle. I believe strongly that there are always more things we can improve in ourselves and our lives. And we all have the choice to do so.<br />
<br />
But I must admit that this time, this change of moving back to Illinois, is much harder than any other I can remember. <br />
<br />
The <i>choice</i> really wasn't hard. We've been talking about moving back to our home state for years. And we spent countless hours weighing the pros and cons which believe it or not, has nothing to do with snow vs no snow. We both feel strongly that we want to raise our kids where we were raised for many reasons. And we really have a lot of family and friends there. <br />
<br />
It's the <i>change</i> itself that is so hard this time. There's a couple of reasons I'm having an especially hard time. We had all three of our kids here in Arizona so some of my most cherished memories have been here. And even more so, it's the people we are moving away from. We have to say goodbye to wonderful teachers at a preschool I am sad to leave. We've made such wonderful close friends that are like family to us. We have an irreplaceable nanny that we all adore. One of my sisters is here and I treasure our, much-needed, girl time. And most importantly, my parents are here. <br />
<br />
I've moved away from my parents before but this time it's just so much harder. I can't tell you how many tears I've shed over this. I've been trying to come to terms with this and thinking a lot about why this is so much harder than ever before. I came to the conclusion that it's just the point I'm at in my life. I think when I first moved away from my parents for college and then with my husband, I was seeking independence and figuring out who I was going to be as an adult. <br />
<br />
Now here I am at 38 years old with a family of my own and I probably appreciate my parents more than any other time in my life. I appreciate what they did for me as a child because I have my own little munchkins now and <i>kids are so much work</i>! I see that my parents worked so hard to support me and my sisters. It's eye-opening now knowing how much kids cost! I took this for granted as child. In recent years, they've become my friends more than parents. I genuinely enjoy spending time with them. I confide in them. They are there to help whenever I need. And of course, they are amazing grandparents to my children and have made so many wonderful memories with them playing games, going swimming, attending their sporting events, etc. <br />
<br />
Over the past few years I've had many many conversations with my parents about making this change. They understand and support this choice. My mom has even said she would make the same choice if she were in my shoes. I think the world of her for selflessly putting aside the distance this will create and supporting me and this choice for my children. She has never once made me feel guilty about leaving or let me doubt my decision. As a parent I appreciate this more than I ever could before. <i>Let's hope I can remember this when my kids grow up and want to follow their own paths.</i> I know we will have lots of visits and calls together and continue to make memories together. But moving away from my parents at this point in my life is probably one of the hardest things I'll ever do. <br />
<br />
So for the next 22 days and 6 hours, there's no doubt I'll continue to stress over my "to do" list. I'll get excited with my husband and kids about the new adventures that await us with our family and friends in Illinois. And I'll feel sad when I think of all of the wonderful people we are moving away from. I know it's the right choice for our family and I have to keep looking forward. But part of moving forward is acknowledging that <i>this change is hard</i>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings."</i> -unknown<br />
<br />
<i>"Family, like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one."</i> -unknown<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-8410844123038118532017-08-07T10:05:00.001-07:002017-08-07T13:42:37.560-07:00And just like that, my first baby was off to Kindergarten<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="" height="320" id="id_c27d_c662_2a89_90ff" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8giRp_HpXZa6bckHQ0fOqr45SJBhppxRd28YwZbKPaquI2dc-XZXb07MkrGXXoWBauuqL4b-mbnaNG2bl5yhHw6vh26juPyRJWrnnhvLr5mWHfopQKTcdadlGFEE0agwraCvg1OQJB8_R/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" width="238" /></div>
5 and 1/2 years ago I gave birth to the most handsome baby boy. My life was forever changed. He taught me how to be a mom as first babies do. And with each new milestone he faces, we learn together. I try to put on my confident, strong mommy face and pretend like I know what I'm doing though I'm usually freaking out on the inside. That's what we do with our first kiddos, right? Good or bad they will forever have an inexperienced mommy with each first.<br />
<div>
<br />
Today was one of those big new milestones for both of us - the first day of Kindergarten. We've spent the summer working up to today. My son has been full of excitement and questions. We made a countdown chain as he could barely stand the wait these last few weeks leading up to this big day. For me it has been all about reading and re-reading every document or email received from the school. Checking and re-checking that we have all of the supplies and they are labeled accordingly. And quietly wiping away my tears every time I thought about how fast babyhood and toddlerhood has passed us by.<br />
<br />
Every time him and his younger brother were lost in their imaginary play this last week (which is a good portion of most days) I wondered how his brother will handle all of the time at home without his best buddy. And then there is his one year old sister - she's been smitten with him since the moment she came home from the hospital. He's the leader of the group. I know he will still have plenty of time with them outside of school and obviously his siblings will have each other but the dynamic will definitely change and for that I feel a little sad. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For awhile I worried about him not knowing any of the kids in his class. All of his friends are headed to different schools but I quickly realized this doesn't phase him. Without a worry in the world, he told me he is going to meet new friends in his class and I realized that my concern is completely unwarranted and I needed to be cognizant that I wasn't introducing my own fears into this experience for him. <br />
<br />
And then there was the whole bus thing. My son has been determined to take the bus from the very first day. He is actually the only kindergartner in his class that wanted to take the bus on the first day. I offered to drive him numerous times but he declined. Taking the bus is a big deal to him and I don't want to take that away from him. So I called the school office, emailed with his teacher and talked to other moms in the neighborhood to reassure myself that there would be someone waiting at the other end and he could really do this.</div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I packed his lunch last night I was watching him play in the family room and my mind kept flashing back to holding my newborn baby son. It's just so unbelievable how fast they grow and how independent they become so quickly. </span>I had a pep talk with myself. It was time to let go of any sadness I have been feeling on his previous phase of childhood coming to an end. It was time to celebrate my brave little boy and his new phase. This fearlessness and enthusiasm for his next big chapter is exactly what I've always wanted for him. </div>
<div>
<br />
This morning he got himself all ready wearing his new transformer shirt and Captain America shoes. I had considered making him wear a nice collared shirt for the first day but decided that today is all about him, not me. He should wear what he feels good about, right?<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="320" id="id_9999_17a9_b528_519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf6i2LDlSpJEYafrnAlHSL_x6TW9Y6wsnd3GsV_Fi1rt_oaWD3dv4SiHaENneiDomxoCiy4x2jMOjEjpqFTGej9yFFa9RUMa_HEjV4-iRFG3Uu3N8sSCeWvCIlXYuNw03RPd1JWNcGGZk/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="text-align: center;" title="" tooltip="" width="238" /><img alt="" height="320" id="id_69e_dc3f_454a_5614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjART0pMxi-mzG95HJjR2vwIdLHRJ3nLjS0ti7ZaoXan_9_0ygb0evBsxb3y4-6Nw-K2MLtUJYd791RFUnpedsTqM-wjIdMvoqnXSjhgutcyT_dSu7P5BDdZP-nErqpRmKYIEvxwJ2b756R/s320/%255BUNSET%255D" style="text-align: center;" title="" tooltip="" width="238" /><br />
<br />
My husband and I stood at the bus stop with him and a "big kid" that had been taking the bus for years. I was in awe of my son and the way he handled himself. As the bus turned the corner he yelled out with excitement "Here it comes!" I gave him a hug and didn't want to let go. I had thought he may get scared and not want to get on the bus at the last minute but just like that, he stepped on to the bus and waved goodbye with a smile. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as the tears started flowing down my face. My first baby was on his way to Kindergarten. W<span style="text-align: center;">atch out world. Here comes my smart, confident, handsome son.</span><br />
<br />
And then I did what any other first time kindergarten mom would do...<br />
<br />
I followed the bus to school...</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-70341867954029404252017-06-05T11:00:00.001-07:002023-09-21T07:12:23.546-07:00Our Ordinary Beautiful Life<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSPZgC5hRRr_h_UY7v5AIZ0fHRQHiFm_l-KDtuuQYH5QcXKdWT63CBnW-AbBzXXuKC-33YWJHQc-LIqkeYMQolffx-YtA1NFIS4rEV2eyssaotjyD3c2xCbK1XHHllFfD-uHNbLr-JWkg/s1600/ordinary+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSPZgC5hRRr_h_UY7v5AIZ0fHRQHiFm_l-KDtuuQYH5QcXKdWT63CBnW-AbBzXXuKC-33YWJHQc-LIqkeYMQolffx-YtA1NFIS4rEV2eyssaotjyD3c2xCbK1XHHllFfD-uHNbLr-JWkg/s320/ordinary+life.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was 27 years old when I got married 10 years ago. My husband and I lived in the city of Chicago... and then the suburbs.. and then back to the city... and then to Arizona... We were always on to a new adventure searching for fun and excitement. We were still figuring out who we were and what our life together would look like. We were both working very hard at corporate jobs trying to prove ourselves in hopes of getting the next promotion. We loved meeting for happy hours after work, going out on weekend nights and sleeping in late every Sat and Sun. We moved a lot. We went on trips. We made decisions on a whim. We basically did whatever we wanted. Our biggest responsibility was our pets. The plan for our 10 year anniversary was always to go on an African Safari. It would be the trip of a lifetime full of thrill and adventure. It would be <i>extraordinary</i>. And I think at that time in our life we wanted nothing less than <i>extraordinary.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fast forward and here we are about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary this week. We have a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old. We wake up early every morning and we are tired by 9pm. We enjoy watching movies together in bed after our kids are sound asleep. We spend our weekends at t-ball games, parks and birthday parties. I drive a mini-van because it's practical with three littles. My husband drives an electric car so he can commute in the HOV lane and get home to us faster. Our house is a typical two story family home full of toys and baby gates and furniture covered in scratches and dents from our littles. Our back yard currently has a sprinkler set up on the grass and toy trucks on the pavers. And w</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e are now joking about that big African Safari 10-year celebration we once dreamed of as we make plans with our sitter for a simple date night to celebrate this weekend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I sit here looking around at where our life is after 10 years of marriage I see <i>ordinary</i>. I see <i>simple</i>. I see <i>less impressive</i> than we once dreamed of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been very slowly (because my kids interrupt me quite frequently) reading <a href="http://amzn.to/2rWzhuF" target="_blank">Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living</a> by <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 17px;">Shauna Niequist. In this book, Shauna says: </span></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"my life has become decidedly less impressive. It has, though, become so much more joyful." </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This struck a cord with me because while our life may be <i>ordinary</i>, <i>simple</i>, and <i>less impressive</i> than we once had in mind, this is the life we are choosing for ourselves, the life we now dream of. Some of the things that once seemed important no longer seem to matter. Over the last 10 years it's become more and more clear that the life we want together is focused on family, on working to live and not living to work, on making choices that bring us true happiness rather than to impress others. It's "decidedly less impressive." We love our weekends full of family time. I love my very typical family minivan. The sliding doors are rather awesome and I appreciate that my husband has a car that gets him home to us quickly each day. I absolutely adore our home. It's perfect for us in this stage of life and I feel a warm fuzzy feeling every time I walk through that front door. This life we've built together is beautiful. It's crazy. It's full of ups and downs, a lot of laughter and unconditional love. It's, without a doubt, "so much more joyful" than I could have ever dreamed of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The thrill for this anniversary is not going to be seeing a lion during my safari in Africa. The thrill right now is getting a hand written card from our 5-year-old because he's working so hard at learning to write and spell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH81Nh0DQU2obxBMuK5s7kWRPt1-HthcmBu_1rAlWAbmU8b2PskgKgBZsadnafpBoJhPhOLhvsj7n-6gjjbjtp1QGGmiLSBeGkFBVzyrucG735WiiOltypZkBbNnDLf0zo8Y22VpGmIC-/s1600/FullSizeRender-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBH81Nh0DQU2obxBMuK5s7kWRPt1-HthcmBu_1rAlWAbmU8b2PskgKgBZsadnafpBoJhPhOLhvsj7n-6gjjbjtp1QGGmiLSBeGkFBVzyrucG735WiiOltypZkBbNnDLf0zo8Y22VpGmIC-/s320/FullSizeRender-7.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's seeing our 3-year-old walk around with his shirt on backwards because he is learning to pick out his own clothes and put them on himself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52P_CHU2Dt7HMhly2KiJM08W7ft5ZWKi8bT-jpj1mbw9djjl35QdThpOuhwHB5Lq0XVH-o2YNwrdHkL-CvhWkjVGlIaHtSVNksN1S6assfOsR7xxO6OS5IU8DUs2_5OhIex-SG4GcUhzH/s1600/FullSizeRender-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52P_CHU2Dt7HMhly2KiJM08W7ft5ZWKi8bT-jpj1mbw9djjl35QdThpOuhwHB5Lq0XVH-o2YNwrdHkL-CvhWkjVGlIaHtSVNksN1S6assfOsR7xxO6OS5IU8DUs2_5OhIex-SG4GcUhzH/s320/FullSizeRender-9.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's seeing our baby girl stand up in the middle of the room and knowing she is going to take her first steps any day now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOmlg9WtvWQvTs6MYwhAeITfw1zQPw4qrXldIYg7CfZJ8WDoyGMjg-fErhuotjHMlv9I_Got-eb_imBa_LtGauFnkrH7CZd-fwugKm0TRCwHk_YceHHGnDy_IxSj0y71nBVr5uujb0sxo/s1600/FullSizeRender-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOmlg9WtvWQvTs6MYwhAeITfw1zQPw4qrXldIYg7CfZJ8WDoyGMjg-fErhuotjHMlv9I_Got-eb_imBa_LtGauFnkrH7CZd-fwugKm0TRCwHk_YceHHGnDy_IxSj0y71nBVr5uujb0sxo/s320/FullSizeRender-10.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's that incredible feeling I get when I watch my husband with our kids because I'm even more in love with him now than I was when I said "I do" 10 years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXyOqWeKLTGxIKNNpqqa6Sx9M5s4RChYHdE_j4cl8IwWUi6zYw_3aA2j4l2rDfdf3A44OSnDL0qRz21R46tYg2u13-FiNk5wWfPCdpjJLzaGo0apfCdo3TD1R_zsrWcPgZOvIE2xySO47/s1600/FullSizeRender-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXyOqWeKLTGxIKNNpqqa6Sx9M5s4RChYHdE_j4cl8IwWUi6zYw_3aA2j4l2rDfdf3A44OSnDL0qRz21R46tYg2u13-FiNk5wWfPCdpjJLzaGo0apfCdo3TD1R_zsrWcPgZOvIE2xySO47/s320/FullSizeRender-8.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I think back to that 27-year-old bride. She had no idea that 10 years later her most thrilling adventure would be right here at home. Don't get me wrong, Africa is still on the bucket list. But for this anniversary, I've never been more happy to celebrate our ordinary, beautiful life together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To my husband, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i> Our adventure continues...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-66696089705033001432017-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:002017-05-13T17:44:04.311-07:00Back to work, mama...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjWHLyZnGTmXdbWyCMPWjznB-5yA1cWe_A2jPFG3PA2tpUCi8oR1xwGyAKjZzDR5JL0T0kN89DReXbSf6se5-oxX753jerhy8HXvtTauhTO6rgibP7xKUPH4r20af4fG1KIe8ah___sGP/s1600/stella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjWHLyZnGTmXdbWyCMPWjznB-5yA1cWe_A2jPFG3PA2tpUCi8oR1xwGyAKjZzDR5JL0T0kN89DReXbSf6se5-oxX753jerhy8HXvtTauhTO6rgibP7xKUPH4r20af4fG1KIe8ah___sGP/s320/stella.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I set my alarm for 5am, the alarm I hadn't set in 2 years. I have 3 kids and as a stay at home mom I could always count on one of them to make sure I was up. But today I needed to make sure I was awake even before my kids. I had so many things to do and such little time to get them all done because today was my big day - the day that I would re-enter the workforce...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I looked at the checklist for the morning and got to work:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>clean the floor</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>clean the bathrooms</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>pick up the poop in the backyard</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>shower/get ready</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>cut up fruit for the kids to have with lunch</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>get the kids fed and dressed for the day</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>print out the instructions for the nanny (even though I had sent her the doc days in advance)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>bring I9 docs for orientation</i></span></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">don't forget to eat breakfast</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: "arial";">don't forget to tell the nanny about how Rocky sometimes gets stuck in the baby room and wakes her up, how the boys can play with the hose in the yard but they forget to turn it off, how......</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial";">(you get the point)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back it seems ridiculous that I felt the need to clean the floor at 5am that morning. I was overly hyper about wanting the house to be in perfect condition for the nanny's first day. </span><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God forbid the house isn't sparkling clean for my kids to play all day. </span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure the nanny is quite capable of cutting up the fruit for the kids so I'm not sure why I felt I needed to do that. And, of course, I had sent her the long document of instructions for the kids days in advance but yet I still freaked out when the printer wasn't working. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's be honest... the truth is that I was trying to be in control that morning because I was panicking about <i>giving up control</i> and letting someone else take the lead with my kids while I went back to work. And I was worrying to no end about how my kids were going to feel once I was gone. I had gone over the plan with my 5-year-old and 3-year-old many times in the weeks leading up to this <i>to the point where they were sick of talking about it.</i> But I still worried that they would somehow feel disappointed that I was making this choice. And then there was my sweet 10-month-old baby girl. She didn't even realize what was happening. How would this affect her?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was going back to work two years after, like so many other working moms, </span><a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/2016/07/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided to quit my job to become a stay at home mom.</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It was hard for me to make that choice back then though I never once regretted it over these two years at home. In fact, I probably would have stayed away from the workforce longer had this opportunity not presented itself. My previous employer is giving me the opportunity to work part-time, just 2 days a week from my home. It's almost too good to be true. They seem to understand that my family is and always will be my first priority and that without the right balance, I would not be willing to go back at this point. <i>In my opinion more employers should recognize this and make these opportunities in this day and age.</i> It probably seems crazy that I am so nervous about giving up control when it's only 2 DAYS a week. I can only imagine what it feels like for stay at home moms that go from being at home right back to working full time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So after a lot of kisses and hugs and reminders about the plan (which I cared about way more than my kids), I finally cut the cord and left my house to attend orientation and pick up my computer. When I arrived at the office, I had a few minutes of down time as I waited in the lobby. I took a deep breath and instantly thought "</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before we get to work, we've already had a day" It was a line from <a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/2016/05/the-secret-lives-of-working-moms.html" target="_blank">a blog post I wrote about being a working mom</a> prior to quitting my job two years ago. This line was very meaningful to me because it was something I thought to myself almost every morning when I walked through the office doors back then. I couldn't believe I was back in this world. But just as the working mom guilt was starting to set in,</span><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was greeted with "Welcome back, Sue!" and a warm smile. I attended orientation and spent the rest of my day meeting with old co-workers and getting set up. Though a lot had changed, in some ways it felt like I had never left. And you know what?! Being back in this world, being my marketing-chick-self once again, felt good! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My kids did amazing with my first week back to work. They enjoyed playing games with the nanny and once I was set up in my home office I was able to see them at my coffee breaks and when I ate lunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Despite my children's positive reaction to the change, it's going to take some time for me to let go of this gratuitous "working mommy guilt". I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but unfortunately it seems to be a part of motherhood that's hard to avoid. <i> Why is that, mamas???</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I got a little piece of "me" back this week. While I believe my kids are the best part of me, I recognize that I enjoy having something of my own to focus on outside of my roles as mommy and wife. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br />
So what am I now? A working mom? A stay at home mom? I guess I'll be a little bit of both and not completely either... <br />
<br />
...And maybe that's just right. </span>Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-9844995875306356562017-03-08T15:52:00.000-08:002019-03-08T13:30:30.195-08:00For My Baby Girl on Women's Day<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuDp1J0kJZPTEm-4VT1KNcVJSgeMxt2Md7TIw8_J9FZ7BaJm7A7TcfEwyAJrj9KrnS82TCaiSNm3l1jnef6_OIjKXp6uYl0T7oBuE4mPRTYPrNweb26HlbUNdjd2mmENWpLl04Bm_EEht/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.51.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuDp1J0kJZPTEm-4VT1KNcVJSgeMxt2Md7TIw8_J9FZ7BaJm7A7TcfEwyAJrj9KrnS82TCaiSNm3l1jnef6_OIjKXp6uYl0T7oBuE4mPRTYPrNweb26HlbUNdjd2mmENWpLl04Bm_EEht/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.51.29+PM.png" width="239" /></a></div>
Though I didn't get the best night of sleep last night, I am feeling quite energized today. Perhaps it is from all of the coffee I drank. Or could it be because it's International Women's Day and I've been reading uplifting quotes all morning! For me, today is not going to be about going to any events or doing anything extravagant. That's not really where I'm at in my life. In all honestly, I'm still in my PJs and glasses sitting with my kiddos, my coffee and my laptop. The view from here is pretty darn good though. For me today will be about celebrating the women around me and taking a look in the mirror to determine what I can be doing better to demonstrate my own strength for the little girl watching me.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
This morning I've been thinking about my grandmothers, my mother, my mother-in-law, my sisters, my sister-in-laws, aunts, cousins and girlfriends. I have truly been surrounded by amazing women that have set wonderful examples for me and continue to lift me up. This year I was blessed to give birth to a baby girl and now the torch has been passed to me. Since the moment I found out that my baby was a girl, I've been feeling a whole new level of responsibility. As her same gender parent she will likely be watching and learning from me in a slightly different way than my boys do and I take this role in her life very seriously.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
First and foremost I want her to be HAPPY. I want her to know that being happy can mean something completely different for everyone and I'm excited to see what path brings her happiness. She was blessed to be born into a family with two brothers that will hopefully give her a view and experiences she may not have had without them. She can be a princess, a superhero or anything in between. The sky is her limit and I am here to root her on throughout her journey.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I want her to recognize that happiness and success are not tied to material things though it's easy to lose sight of this at times. I want to encourage her to have the strength to stand out rather than just fit in. I want her to realize that even in this very brand centric world we live in, wearing or driving or displaying specific brands should not help to define who she is. This may seem odd since I'm a marketer but perhaps it's because I'm a marketer that I feel strongly that using brands to influence the perception of who we are is ridiculous. If I can get one message across to her it is that I hope she will know that WHO she is on the INSIDE is what will truly define her and <em>should</em> matter most to the important people in her life. I hope I can make this clear through my own actions.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I want her to feel CONFIDENT in her own skin. I've been calling my daughter "beauty" as a nickname since she was born. Of course I think she is the cutest baby girl I've ever seen but the nickname is much deeper than that. It's what I see when I look in her eyes. It's her spirit, her innocence and her laughter that make her my beauty and I will make sure she knows that. Like most women, I've had my share of moments in my life where I didn't feel good about myself on the outside whether it be my weight or my hair color, shape of my legs, etc.. But over time I've learned to accept all of those things and I truly believe that self-confidence, kindness and happiness are what make women beautiful and those are the things we need to focus on. I vow to never use the four-letter-word "diet" in our household as I do not believe in diets and the focus they put on weight and restrictions. My hope and my goal is to only demonstrate a focus on being healthy through exercise and eating right with the purpose to feel good and fuel my body.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I want her to be KIND & EMPATHETIC. I hate to admit it but I worry for her even more than my boys because I think relationships with girls can often be a little more challenging than those between boys. Navigating through relationships with girlfriends in the school years and even as adults is not always easy but I know she can do it and I will be there to help coach her through the inevitable ups and downs. I pray that she will learn to be the one that lifts those around her up and I know that this begins with my example and how I treat others.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
And lastly I want her to be INDEPENDENT. I have a strong personal belief that as women we choose the best relationships (friends, boyfriends, a spouse, etc) for ourselves when we aren't necessarily dependant on those relationships to make us happy or to survive financially. Instead I want her to choose people who enrich her already satisfying life and lift her up even higher.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
And so I've got my work cut out for me! With all that is going on in the world today, this may seem small but I do believe that raising our children to be good people is actually an important part of the grand picture. I'm excited and I feel empowered by this new role as mom of a daughter. Happy Women's Day!</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>"Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them"</strong></div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-41093750243370347302016-11-04T10:26:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:54:40.042-07:00Being Mom is...<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hard, it’s really really HARD.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s pulling my hair up, drinking coffee & pushing through sleepless nights.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s multitasking on steroids & never having enough hands.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s worrying, worrying & worrying some more… <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">usually at 2am</em>.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s valuing my mommy friends & our play dates to keep me sane.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s saying “no” when it would be so much easier to say “yes”.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s sand in the carpet, dirt on the tile and dents in the furniture.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s negotiating bites at meals and minutes left at the play place.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s slowing down the pace so they can “do it by myself”.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s getting pooped on, puked on and sneezed on.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s kissing boo boo’s, scrubbing dirty knees & wiping poopy butts.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s holding sticky little hands to cross the street.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s finding time for me. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I’m still more than just Mommy.</em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s forgiving myself every day for the many mistakes I make & things I could have done better.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s reminding myself to be a good role model because they are always watching. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Even when it means eating my broccoli at the dinner table.</em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s finding a new appreciation for my mom and all of the moms around me.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s sometimes choosing to sacrifice luxuries to do the right thing for my kids.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s giving myself time outs to take a deep breath when my patience is running thin.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s feeling mentally exhausted from the endless why’s & how’s but proud of their curiosity.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s accepting tantrums for what they are and loving them through it.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s practicing contentment and making the choice to find joy in the little things.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s rewarding. Oh, SO rewarding.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s belly laughs and scrumptious baby thighs.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s humorous. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gosh, some of the things they do & say…. </em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s feeling proud. A deep sense of pride I never knew possible before kids.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It’s the best snuggles, the sweetest kisses and the tightest hugs.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UprGkfzjddpny56Hed91lFIzoIKh5fOH_j9qcFjCm3tlK3VJqxLgQSTftwpSI19aIIPFig-L6mX3G9AKfXFDOwX6uZ2ArQP5kc2e1-O_XDCBh6j9CrTBEkYk-YSlT4X_Np1Ix6EDIc/s1600/FullSizeRender-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UprGkfzjddpny56Hed91lFIzoIKh5fOH_j9qcFjCm3tlK3VJqxLgQSTftwpSI19aIIPFig-L6mX3G9AKfXFDOwX6uZ2ArQP5kc2e1-O_XDCBh6j9CrTBEkYk-YSlT4X_Np1Ix6EDIc/s1600/FullSizeRender-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>Being mom is LOVE – the purest, most unconditional, love.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UprGkfzjddpny56Hed91lFIzoIKh5fOH_j9qcFjCm3tlK3VJqxLgQSTftwpSI19aIIPFig-L6mX3G9AKfXFDOwX6uZ2ArQP5kc2e1-O_XDCBh6j9CrTBEkYk-YSlT4X_Np1Ix6EDIc/s1600/FullSizeRender-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UprGkfzjddpny56Hed91lFIzoIKh5fOH_j9qcFjCm3tlK3VJqxLgQSTftwpSI19aIIPFig-L6mX3G9AKfXFDOwX6uZ2ArQP5kc2e1-O_XDCBh6j9CrTBEkYk-YSlT4X_Np1Ix6EDIc/s320/FullSizeRender-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-66622175843670401042016-07-24T15:58:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:39:15.370-07:00Why I Wanted a VBAC and What Happened...<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg1af9NkuyuNKKWg3UB-n5zw7fBwt9pFZcXIJPLnzPp-KQe5oztOVEfQHBPtPn3qkyJyZnzcwYyRWGUEgXW-Z1AHjqPULAGgOXgq3DuwVz3t9GTNN4-k9hYRwWLgmvrkJUYsD-IRQDJl9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg1af9NkuyuNKKWg3UB-n5zw7fBwt9pFZcXIJPLnzPp-KQe5oztOVEfQHBPtPn3qkyJyZnzcwYyRWGUEgXW-Z1AHjqPULAGgOXgq3DuwVz3t9GTNN4-k9hYRwWLgmvrkJUYsD-IRQDJl9/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.19+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">If I've learned anything about birth plans since becoming a mom it's that the best plan is to NOT have a plan. With my first son, I walked into labor & delivery on the big day with a detailed written birth plan in hand that basically said I wished to have a completely natural birth. 15 hours later this suddenly seemed like a terrible plan that was not for me. I asked for the epidural and proceeded to have a beautiful birth experience far different from the one I had planned. I walked into labor & delivery for the second time 18 months later confident that I knew how it would go this time. To my surprise after reaching 9cm dilated my cervix started to swell and close likely because of the positioning and size of my son's head. A c-section became medically necessary and I'm so thankful for modern medicine to help me bring my son into the world. Though that was far from the plan in my head, I was happy to have a healthy baby boy. When we decided to have our third child I knew that I wanted to TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean) in hopes of having a VBAC (vaginal delivery after cesarean) but I also accepted that it may not be in my control as I had come to the conclusion that babies don't come out according to </span><em style="text-align: center;">our</em><span style="text-align: center;"> plans. I understood that I was more likely to end up in the operating room than someone who had never had a c-section. With TOLAC there is a small risk of uterine rupture so doctors are more likely to move to a c-section sooner if there is any sign of distress throughout the process. I'm sharing my story because during the 9 months I spent wondering how this would turn out, I was constantly searching for stories of women that had attempted a VBAC.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I'm very fortunate that both my doctor and the hospital I deliver at support VBACs. This is not always the case for women that desire a VBAC leaving many women without the option at all. Many people still believe that once a cesarean, always a cesarean and may wonder why I would even want to go through labor knowing I had a higher chance of ending up back in the OR this time. Well, there are many reasons but above all I'm in love with the natural course of events that occur from going into labor spontaneously to the time of delivery and the golden hour after delivery. I find it fascinating that the baby decides when it's time to come and sets labor in motion. I had a hard time with the idea of us scheduling a c-section especially because my other boys came early which I think would make it hard to pick the right time. During delivery I didn't want to miss the chance for the baby to receive that awesome immune boosting bacteria as they travel through the birth canal. The trip through the birth canal also helps to naturally expel the amniotic fluid in their lungs which my second little one battled with for a few days after the c-section. But beyond the awesome list of events that happen during a vaginal delivery, I was hopeful for the opportunity to enjoy the golden hour with the baby. The first hour after birth where the baby is placed on their mother's chest is often thought of to be a "magical" time that should be honored, cherished and protected whenever possible because it provides such a long list of benefits to both baby and mom. These benefits include quickly normalizing baby's heart and breathing rates, quickly calming baby as they adjust to their new environment, a higher rate of successful breastfeeding, a lower risk of postpartum depression for mom, etc... The list goes on and unfortunately, I was very sick after my c-section with my second child and was not able to share that time with him. It is exciting that many hospitals are now seeing how beneficial this is and trying to make this hour possible even during c-sections but I feared that even if the hospital tried to make it work at my request I would be sick again. Now of course it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had another c-section but as long as there was a chance my baby and I could experience the natural course of events, I knew I had to try!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I carried this baby longer than my other children and got very anxious towards the end as the baby's growth scan predicted that he or she would be significantly larger than my others if I actually carried him or her to term. At 39 weeks and 4 days, I woke up to early contractions. This labor started out very slow but it really kicked into gear suddenly midway through the day and started progressing at a rapid pace. We had to get my parents to my house in a hurry to watch my boys. Because we got to the hospital later in the process than we had with my other labors I found myself in a panic worried that I would not receive the epidural before it was time for delivery.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I had never experienced contractions that far along in the process without the epidural and they were quite painful to say the least. As I mentioned I had already decided with my first that going all the way to the end without the epidural was not for me. I was fortunate to have both my husband and mom with me for support. And as I was freaking out, <em>to put it mildly</em>, I kept thinking of all of the women I know, including my mom, that have given birth without the epidural. <em>Wow. That's strength & endurance, ladies. </em>I've heard many people say labor without an epidural is like running a marathon. Well, I've run two full marathons in my life and no, it's not. In my opinion running a marathon is easier and I didn't even experience labor without the epidural all the way to the end. Lucky for me the anesthesiologist was able to get my epidural going when I was 8cm dilated with just enough time for me to get comfortable and quickly turn my panic into excitement. By the time I calmed down and pulled it together I was 10cm and they were calling my doctor to come. <i>Wait what? It was time to push already and the "C" word hadn't even come up once?!?! </i> Everything was moving so quickly, smoothly and naturally! My water broke on its own and I hadn't been given any pitocin or medical interventions other than the epidural. It started to set in that my dream was coming true. And on top of all of that we had waited to find out the gender which made these last few moments as we waited for the doctor to arrive that much more exciting! I was on cloud 9 and couldn't wait to meet my little one.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
My doctor arrived and the mood in the room was pure joy and excitement. With just 4 pushes the baby was born! It was AMAZING!!!! I had not only had a successful VBAC but what a quick and PERFECT birth experience. <em>I couldn't have planned it better myself.</em> Sure I had freaked out a bit during those final contractions before my epidural kicked in but even those became so worth it all in an instant. Seeing my baby for the first time literally took my breath away...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Rather than announcing the gender my doctor smiled and slowly turned the baby towards us. My husband, my mom and I all said at once "it's a girl!" which was immediately followed by tears and I very emotionally said "I got my girl." It's interesting that I said that because I spent my whole pregnancy content with either outcome as I do love being a boy mom but in that instant it felt like everything was exactly as it should be and I knew I was meant to have this precious girl. My husband was in shock, a very joyful shock. He was sure we would have another boy. And he was happily surprised that our last child was a precious little miss.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH95NAkjc8PSlUOZVZuOavSnOjsnDpE7fK7H4AIcm1WeTajJPAmW5uULkDaee1bmKwc3Yq2CSaVR_VXR9JKHnig_AljzyP7xnJbo0ZMiZGGGy6pHzM2th8RDvY67muwP49RqgIrO3hKtf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH95NAkjc8PSlUOZVZuOavSnOjsnDpE7fK7H4AIcm1WeTajJPAmW5uULkDaee1bmKwc3Yq2CSaVR_VXR9JKHnig_AljzyP7xnJbo0ZMiZGGGy6pHzM2th8RDvY67muwP49RqgIrO3hKtf/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.11+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Interestingly enough, she ended up being smaller than my boys and way smaller than the growth ultrasound indicated. I was so thankful when I saw what a little peanut she was that I had chosen not to schedule a repeat c-section. Had we scheduled a c-section, I think we would have taken her out before she was really ready. There is no doubt in my mind that my little girl knew she needed to stay with me longer than her brothers and looking back I'm so glad that she did.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The nurse immediately put her on my chest where she stayed for over an hour. As we cuddled and she breastfed for the first time I felt an overwhelming rush of joy, love and peace. It's a feeling I will never ever forget. Everything and everyone else stood still and faded into the background. I soaked up every second of that very golden hour. It was perfect. It will stay with me forever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRvSULC56ZzD7nINxYM4xBPxBIvc0FboneyYXvh_mhwtvENIHkVFlDIOUHW8M2CfVrQOXBgFrIMX8bnIx2iRTyj9LEPUqFw7aTiMtSGdsYPO4lT7jKHwdwebLyPUrdGvudz5ZfJvWkiom/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRvSULC56ZzD7nINxYM4xBPxBIvc0FboneyYXvh_mhwtvENIHkVFlDIOUHW8M2CfVrQOXBgFrIMX8bnIx2iRTyj9LEPUqFw7aTiMtSGdsYPO4lT7jKHwdwebLyPUrdGvudz5ZfJvWkiom/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.40+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I know I have a lot of exciting times ahead of me with my family and eventually my career again but I am already certain that my greatest accomplishments in life are the three beautiful children that my husband and I brought into this world.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
It's been almost two weeks since our daughter came into our lives and I can't stop thinking about her birth and what an unforgettable experience it was. The one time I knew better than to expect things to go according to plan, they went better than I could have ever dreamed and I'm so glad I took a chance on a VBAC.</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div class="entry-title" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – Hilary Cooper</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-47622447393773972322016-07-13T15:17:00.000-07:002017-05-12T13:05:49.265-07:00Why I Quit My Six Figure Job to be a Stay at Home Mom<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeFMThwSc69HpTXVhOSVYx25_qZFXu_0DlsC2jZVRvgzfCS2-JxnVRmaHD0Pd5gkIHEJm5uIbVcwOMD2pQ79tIXUsvP1bBqZOHpqMPxXDpf2UAOQIQrmPT2zJRfAjzcszl084PJKfdvzg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.02.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeFMThwSc69HpTXVhOSVYx25_qZFXu_0DlsC2jZVRvgzfCS2-JxnVRmaHD0Pd5gkIHEJm5uIbVcwOMD2pQ79tIXUsvP1bBqZOHpqMPxXDpf2UAOQIQrmPT2zJRfAjzcszl084PJKfdvzg/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.02.50+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Because I think it's going to be easier? <insert belly laugh> No, not at all!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
In some ways I feel like I've been experiencing a mid-life crisis at 35. Or at least a point in my life where I felt it was time to stop, re-evaluate and re-invent myself. You can choose to let these moments pass and go about your normal routine or you can take the time to evaluate what the top priorities are in your life and make sure you are living accordingly. After a lot of soul searching I'm re-defining what success means to me. And here is how I made the decision to become a stay at home mom…</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I was a marketing chick long before I was a mom. I say "marketing chick" because "professional" sounds too stuffy to me and I think my career has been pretty damn cool. I'm not one of those people that hates their job. I think marketing is the bomb-diggity and was definitely the right career choice for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I always knew my husband and I wanted to bring children into this world and I expected to fit them into our life. That's how it works, right? <em>Not exactly.</em> Having kids changed me. And the change was <em>immediate</em>. In fact, when I went into labor for the first time it happened to be THE most “important” week the company I worked for had each year. And in an instant it drifted into the background...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOfDLpyfYQqlmLdyq-V7CC021M0pOqs9wxKPFDNZffcRpCJrcavyROPtwoCOBERmvuTc0biU3nyMUp5uxX-a_oKA0nGEDl8d5UdPJYcY-Frbmeu6lUHHtsGbulmkdHwBCHtZh0PYNiraj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.05.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOfDLpyfYQqlmLdyq-V7CC021M0pOqs9wxKPFDNZffcRpCJrcavyROPtwoCOBERmvuTc0biU3nyMUp5uxX-a_oKA0nGEDl8d5UdPJYcY-Frbmeu6lUHHtsGbulmkdHwBCHtZh0PYNiraj/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.05.38+PM.png" width="257" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>There was nothing like that first time I held my baby boy.</strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Women had described it. I thought I could imagine. But then it happened to me and I experienced an incredible rush that I’m certain cannot be matched by any other life moment. THIS is the reason Moms love to tell their birth stories. It's not because we want rewards for the pain we endured, it's because we will never get enough of THAT moment. And we will re-live it as much as we can for the rest of our lives.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I was the happiest I'd ever felt and my life would never be the same...</strong></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
As a new working mom I quickly became jealous of “It doesn’t make sense for me to work. My salary will basically cover the costs of childcare so what’s the point?” I’d heard this frequently from other Moms and I was frustrated that the decision wasn't that straight forward for me. I’m a spreadsheet addict but Excel was not my friend with this. It refused to support me quitting my job. We are fortunate my husband has a great career and could support us but the way I saw it the opportunity cost was too high. <em> It just wasn't logical. </em> And in all honesty, we've enjoyed the lifestyle that two incomes have afforded us. While we've always lived well within our means, there are plenty of places we splurged. We ate out a few times a week. We treated ourselves and our children to new clothes, toys and clicked-to-buy on Amazon way more often than we would like to admit. And more importantly we didn't stress about unexpected expenses and were able to save money for rainy days. Letting go of that level of freedom was scary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
So I went on being a marketing chick. I fought for flexible arrangements which I did receive. And my new mission was to rock it all - be a superstar mom, wife and employee. During this time, I was blessed to experience that incredible moment again when I brought my second sweet boy into the world. He brought even more love into my life. And as second children do, he also brought more hurdles to overcome. With two children my world got even better and harder all at once. I lived <a data-mce-href="http://www.sheswinning.com/the-secret-lives-of-working-moms-with-ponytails/" href="http://www.sheswinning.com/2016/05/the-secret-lives-of-working-moms.html" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the secret life of a working a Mom</a> for 3.5 years. It was challenging but I was doing a good job, the best I could at least. There were days I felt like I had it all together... followed by days I couldn't keep my head above water. It certainly can be done if this is the path that is right for you. For many women it truly is. There is no doubt that working, especially if you like your job, can be very satisfying. And I have seen some amazing moms rockin it! I was getting a lot of personal satisfaction out of my job but I was still constantly battling internally. <em>My kids are so little and the time is going by too quickly. They will be off to school with a blink of an eye.</em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
When I was with them in public, empty nesters would frequently smile at us and stop me to say "It goes by so quickly. You have to <strong><em>enjoy every minute of it</em>." </strong>I was filled with so much emotion every time I heard this. Am I <em>enjoying every minute of it?</em> In the mornings I'm racing to get myself and my kids ready and after work it is a race to do chores and get them both to bed. On the weekends we spend a lot of quality family time together but they go by so fast and it never seems like enough. And on a daily basis my boys made it clear that they could not get enough of ME. My littlest guy would hold on to me for dear life at every chance he got. My older son would say things to me like “I was brave at school today, Mommy. I didn’t cry but I was sad because I missed you.” Could they tug at my heart any harder?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The longer this internal battle went on, the more crystal clear it became that my deepest satisfaction and happiness at this point in my life comes from these two little boys that I brought into this world. Getting recognition, raises and even a promotion at work were awesome and certainly made me feel good. But watching my little ones discover the world around them, learn to recite their ABC’s and even finally go poop in the potty brings me a deep happiness that I never expected possible. (Yes, poop in the potty can really do that!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQxH1yniG3BC8PHjSUeWwA85PKYR0dnQVejB3zLan2nSo6Be_W6izVgQBVYDs_K-kggA-yCiCRgGReThvdah6ZtAQVvrzMHIFBImw87CxjpeuIYaD_fNXTYsbyQZx_4QL5RChKs6P19EU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQxH1yniG3BC8PHjSUeWwA85PKYR0dnQVejB3zLan2nSo6Be_W6izVgQBVYDs_K-kggA-yCiCRgGReThvdah6ZtAQVvrzMHIFBImw87CxjpeuIYaD_fNXTYsbyQZx_4QL5RChKs6P19EU/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.05+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I finally realized that <em>logic</em> and spreadsheets were never going to make this choice for me.</strong> This was a choice I had to make for myself based on family, experiences, and simply, what I want out of my life. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last year trying to narrow in on what actually makes <em>me</em> happy. (If you haven’t seen the documentary, "Happy", I highly suggest it. It brings perspective if that is what you are looking for.) And during this time I was so impressed with the many amazing moms I met that had given up their careers to focus on their children. I was particularly humbled by a single mom that managed to stay at home with her daughter while supporting them by watching other kids in her home. She would have made more money with job opportunities she had outside the home but it was more important to her to have that time with her daughter. And she was happy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Did I have to give up some things? Yes. But we've all heard time and time again that money doesn't buy happiness. <a data-mce-href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/10/happiness.possessions/" href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/10/happiness.possessions/" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">And even recent research suggests that experiences actually lead to more happiness long term than possessions.</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I don't want to miss out on THIS experience!</strong> I can always go back to work. But I can never get these years back. My children are growing too quickly and life is just too short to not take this leap of faith.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
It was not easy to take this leap. <a data-mce-href="http://www.sheswinning.com/an-emotional-journey-home/" href="http://www.sheswinning.com/2015/07/an-emotional-journey-to-becoming-sahm.html" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">It was emotional.</a> I literally walked out the doors of my corporate life crying and grieving a previous version of myself that felt so passionate about my work. But I did it! And as I entered my house that night, I heard little voices saying "she's here! she's here!" I was greeted by my precious boys and my handsome husband holding balloons for me. My younger son yelled "WOO HOO!" and I knew everything was right in my world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I’m not the first mom to quit her job and certainly won’t be the last. This particular journey is not for everyone, but I hope it’s a reminder to constantly re-evaluate your life and make sure you are living it the way YOU want to. Whether you are a stay at home Mom, a working Mom, or not a Mom at all, be HAPPY. Live your life to the fullest. And if you’re not, remember that you always have a choice. It may not be a clear, easy or logical choice, but there’s always a choice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
For now, you can find me at the park <em><strong>enjoying every minute of it</strong> </em>with two little boys covered in dirt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUsK-Q9BGm2UrvpCrfplO79mobq9Ob8LqiFzz2COuSBQC1aZbFjhvj1Ges13VwROoGAJ6MeTuwT4vLLimoDKgRY9qHjOtA3syLSBGRHNGLUXutfkJeRL6kGeKFenPHRx4pFAKssuAtxc9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.16.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUsK-Q9BGm2UrvpCrfplO79mobq9Ob8LqiFzz2COuSBQC1aZbFjhvj1Ges13VwROoGAJ6MeTuwT4vLLimoDKgRY9qHjOtA3syLSBGRHNGLUXutfkJeRL6kGeKFenPHRx4pFAKssuAtxc9/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.16.35+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<blockquote>
<div style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Enjoy the little things in life... for one day you'll look back and realize they were the <strong>BIG</strong> things. ~Robert Brault</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-43431785510882522622016-05-11T15:28:00.000-07:002017-05-12T07:41:13.534-07:00The Secret Lives of Working Moms<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIAr3vvKjeLu1_6UuFvDX-qcxFh3l4lTSF0YhHTLfl9j5h4n8IgkjuRM9v86AkoAge1E__oO_FiQs04rzJkn8_R4MtXaEawEo8FxDsSKNT5F7aHvk0JM5EgtDjDo1tcANRVQ_C2fyw8YA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.04.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIAr3vvKjeLu1_6UuFvDX-qcxFh3l4lTSF0YhHTLfl9j5h4n8IgkjuRM9v86AkoAge1E__oO_FiQs04rzJkn8_R4MtXaEawEo8FxDsSKNT5F7aHvk0JM5EgtDjDo1tcANRVQ_C2fyw8YA/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.04.23+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Featured on <a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/author/sue-pierce/" target="_blank">Scary Mommy</a></i><br />
<br />
I often reminisce my childless working days and remember the many working Moms that made it look SO easy. They had it all together; reports ready, prepared for the big presentation, with their hair tied back perfectly. I had no fear of the day I would become a working Mom. <em>If they can do it, so can I!</em> And then when it actually happened to me, I was completely dismayed as I learned more about what REALLY goes on behind the scenes. Life as a working Mom is like a secret club that you don't truly understand unless you become a part of it. But if you promise not to tell, I'll let you in on a few of our secrets...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>Before we get to work, we've already had a day.</strong> We've been on our feet for hours. The baby woke up at 5:00 AM AGAIN for no apparent reason. <em>Will he EVER sleep in?</em> We raced to get a flash shower in when our other child started knocking on the shower door to, not-so-politely, ask for breakfast. (Kids aren't exactly patient when it comes to eating.) We cut our shower short only to realize his night time pull-up leaked in his bed again. <em>Seriously? </em>We scrambled to get the sheets in the laundry. <em>And oh shit!</em> We almost forgot today is "superhero day" at daycare. We managed to change their outfits at the last minute so our kids wouldn't be disappointed. We forgot to feed ourselves but a few stale goldfish from the bag left in the car will have to do. We've already been a cook, a counselor, a maid, and a chauffeur... and that's before we even walked through the doors of our salaried job. But we are here now and will quickly shift our attention to the first meeting of the day. And no one will know what we've gone through just to get here.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>We wear ponytails.</strong> Not because we want to but because we have to. We are envious of other women in the office that look so put together and trendy. <em>Her hair is curled. And her shoulders look so clean.</em> We fantasize about what it was like to get ready by ourselves, at our own pace, before we had kids. <em>Tomorrow I'm going to curl my hair like her.</em> But then, once again, we sacrifice how we'd like to look for yet another "ponytail day" because our little one needed us when we attempted to actually fix our hair. We have a pacifier in our pocket, spit up on our shoulders and sticky finger prints on our pants. But we'll keep that all hidden and no one will ever know.<a data-mce-href="http://www.honest.com/refer_to/815558 target=" href="http://www.honest.com/refer_to/815558%20target=" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a><img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=qsTyj0SYyHY&bids=387292.72&type=4&subid=0" height="1" src="https://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=qsTyj0SYyHY&bids=387292.72&type=4&subid=0" style="height: auto; max-width: 620px; vertical-align: middle;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>We have the weight of the world on our shoulders.</strong> We carry working Mom guilt everywhere we go. There's no escaping it. Just when we start to feel good about the situation, we get a call from daycare that our little one is sick AGAIN. <em>This time strep is going around the daycare and it's our turn.</em> These are the moments we are drowning with guilt. We feel guilty for leaving work. <em>What will our boss think about us leaving early yet again?</em> And then it's topped with the guilt that our child was exposed to these germs BECAUSE we work. When we are at home, we are working hard to make up for the time we are at work with our kids and husbands. And then we go back to stressing about trying to keep up with work.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>Work IS our "me time".</strong> It's very hard for us to find time to ourselves. So we enjoy little things about work that give us some sense of "me time". We aren't afraid to admit that we take pleasure in peeing at work because it's our chance to go without an audience. Or that we thoroughly enjoy slowly eating our lunch without little fingers stealing parts of it. It's our only opportunity to stuff OUR bellies because dinner time will be all about getting the family fed. We don't care if we look like pigs to our co-workers. This is our only chance to eat a full meal. If they only knew...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>We are ridiculously efficient.</strong> We have to be. Our daily to-do list is loooong. We have to finish our latest project before the noon deadline in between the morning's meetings and daily fire drills. And if we don't get the updated vaccination records faxed to daycare by end of day, the kids can't go tomorrow. We spend our lunch breaks coordinating appointments, researching our latest Mommy challenge or running errands for our family. We finish our work by 5:00pm on the dot and run out the door because we have to. We don't even waste a minute during our drive home. There are calls to be made or audible books to learn from. Let's not forget we better stop at the convenience store before we pick the kids up from daycare. <em>There's just not enough milk left to get us through tonight and tomorrow</em>. We wonder what on earth we ever spent our time doing before we had kids.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>We are night owls.</strong> We are always SO tired. It seems like it will take years to catch up on sleep if that's even possible. If we sit down after work we know we could end up asleep on the couch so we don't even dare. We go right into execution mode. And while we push past the point of exhaustion, we promise ourselves<em> tonight I'm definitely going to sleep early.</em> <em>I HAVE to get sleep tonight.</em> But there just isn't enough time in the day. After reading <em>just one more bedtime story</em> because quality time with our kids is so precious, we stay up late washing the outfit our little one needs tomorrow for "blue day", making freezer meals in yet another attempt to stop eating out, and finishing up work because we had to leave to pick up our kids in time.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
And guess what? This was just one day. We will do it all again tomorrow.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
We are the club of Moms that are masters at making it <em>look</em> easy. But behind our ponytails are actually extremely selfless, hard-working Mamas dreaming of the day we can let our hair down again.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
But shhh, it's our little secret.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<br /></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-84462387809435761972016-04-18T16:36:00.000-07:002017-04-12T13:41:02.176-07:00Third Trimester: An Emotional Final Stretch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOQcZ1wlVqB-7DTana_USA5IdeZXZzcINgsRSlsxeZE6iB4YvrzKMnPn0NW9nbOsQUvwesMph69TEz9eszto7mgEkFAH85vwRSATcOgUOIEgnjs9Psr9-vJGdpZ0rWaEk9x0MEKMsxpXH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOQcZ1wlVqB-7DTana_USA5IdeZXZzcINgsRSlsxeZE6iB4YvrzKMnPn0NW9nbOsQUvwesMph69TEz9eszto7mgEkFAH85vwRSATcOgUOIEgnjs9Psr9-vJGdpZ0rWaEk9x0MEKMsxpXH/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.01+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
This week will mark the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy with my third child. My current state of mind can best be described as a cocktail of emotions garnished with pregnancy hormones...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm excited.</strong> I'm dying to meet my third child! Who is this little person moving around inside of me?! Is it another sweet boy or will this be my first and only girl? What will their personality be like? Will they look like me or my husband or our other kids? What new joys will they bring to our home and what new challenges will they bring to me as a mother? I can hardly wait to find out!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm scared.</strong> How will I manage three very little kids? Right now there are so many days that I feel like my hands are completely full and I'm pushed to my limit with patience. Do I really have what it takes to care for a baby in addition to these two energetic little boys? I know I'm not the first mom to take on the responsibility of three kids but this certainly is a bit intimidating.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm dreaming.</strong> I keep picturing all of the precious moments to come. I see myself sitting in the rocking chair with my tiny baby in the early hours of the morning. Everyone else will be sleeping. I'll be exhausted <em>like I was with the others</em> but I hope that I will be able to see through the sleepiness and embrace those sweet baby moments. This will be my last baby and I hope that this time, more than ever, I can enjoy the little things about caring for a baby.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm uncomfortable. </strong>It's hard to find a comfortable position to relax at this point.<strong> </strong>When I sit my tailbone starts to hurt and finding a position to fall asleep is always a challenge especially with the amount of times I have to get up to pee now. I don't want to be over dramatic as this is all normal pregnancy stuff, especially with #3, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit there are lots of discomforts at this point.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm grateful.</strong> Through all of the ups and downs I constantly remind myself that pregnancy is a blessing. This is actually my fourth pregnancy. My first ended in a miscarriage and there is not a day that goes by that I don't keep that in perspective. There are many women out there that are currently struggling to get pregnant and I am extremely fortunate to experience this once again.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm overly sensitive. </strong>While I've always been a crier, the tears are flowing WAY too easily these days. From commercials and sentimental Facebook posts to my husband not saying things exactly how I want him to, my emotions are getting the best of me. The hardest thing about this is that when it's happening, I'm totally aware that my reaction is over dramatic and yet I still can't stop it. I hate feeling like I'm not completely in control of my emotions. These hormones are getting the best of me. <em>Time for </em><em>another tissue.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm energetic.</strong> I'm still getting amazing bursts of energy and that awesome maternal drive to nest. There are days that my husband comes home from work and is in complete shock by what I've accomplished while he was gone. I can't sit still knowing there is so much to do to make everything just right before the arrival of our little one. <em>What if the kitchen cabinets aren't in perfect order before the baby arrive? What ever will we do?</em> It's amusing how I want everything to be just perfect for the baby's arrival and yet this is my third so I'm well aware that those first few months will be full of chaos and none of this will matter.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm tired.</strong> Those bursts of energy are generally followed by a complete crash from exhaustion. Chasing two little boys all day while carrying a baby is not always as easy as I had imagined. It's not uncommon for me to fall asleep within minutes of putting my boys to bed 8pm. And to think there was a time, long before my kids, where my night was just getting started at that point. Though, for the most part, I'm content with my early nights and early mornings. This is a beautiful phase in my life and everything feels like it is exactly as it should be.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm ready to be done. Wait, no I'm not.</strong> My thoughts about being pregnant change with the tide at this point. One second, I'm thinking about my old body and how much I just want it back. I don't mind my belly that much, <em>though I do miss sleeping on my stomach</em>. But I'm certainly not loving the thighs and butt that this pregnancy is bringing. I'm trying hard to not focus on the negatives but there are certainly times, <em>like when I'm trying to decide what to wear,</em> that they get the best of me and I start counting down the days until I'm done. Yet an hour later I'll feel the baby moving and I start thinking about how this last trimester is going to fly by too quickly and my last experience with pregnancy will be over with a blink of an eye. It's a little sad to let go of this miraculous point of my life.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>I'm happy. </strong>My strongest emotion is pure joy. Family is everything and I'm so thrilled to add another little love to our life.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
My cocktail of emotions may make me a little nutty these days but I wouldn't trade this for the world. Pregnancy is so much more than just carrying a baby in my belly. It's truly a whole mind and body experience, an experience I will cherish forever.</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
It is the most powerful creation to have life growing inside of you. There is no bigger gift. ~Beyonce</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<br /></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-81186144628708635662016-03-14T13:27:00.000-07:002017-04-12T13:40:47.271-07:00Boy or Girl, This Baby Will Move Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDVOaC6O868j8ekZ_gvGxsoiM5HgUxLQ9pW_xxWQ4XONFOqCny4svhd_HvBRdx9KSPfVrQAdhPrl2eeGDGxqlmfTxBEmmokGspFhpEDkAvoyW2Q5-GMz7KFZECYnEUYJRoa06JhAP92fb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-12+at+1.28.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDVOaC6O868j8ekZ_gvGxsoiM5HgUxLQ9pW_xxWQ4XONFOqCny4svhd_HvBRdx9KSPfVrQAdhPrl2eeGDGxqlmfTxBEmmokGspFhpEDkAvoyW2Q5-GMz7KFZECYnEUYJRoa06JhAP92fb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-12+at+1.28.35+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I’m more than halfway through my pregnancy with my third child. It won’t be long before we meet this precious new member of our family. I’m over-the-moon excited and my pregnancy hormones are coming on strong! I’m dreaming. I’m nesting. I’m IN LOVE.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This time I don’t know the gender of the baby. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I knew with both of my boys by now. </em> When my husband first suggested that we shouldn’t find out the gender this time I laughed. I thought he had to be kidding knowing that patience is not one of my strong points. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Though my kids are working on that with me. </em> It turns out he was dead serious and after he did a great job romanticizing the moment of him and I in the delivery room hearing the magic “It’s a ……”, I agreed to wait. To my surprise it hasn’t been as hard as I imagined. A lot of people have said to me that they couldn’t wait because they are planners. I get that, although, I think I’m a planner too. But I suppose when it’s your third little one there is not a lot to plan with regards to material things you will need. And when I dream about my little one I focus on the things that I want for them whether they are a boy or a girl. I spend a lot of time thinking about how I will have a special connection with this baby because I am the third child in my family so I understand this role best.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Last night I was wide awake at 12:30am because pregnancy insomnia is real. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All of the pregnant women reading this can empathize I’m sure. </em> I was thinking about my two little boys and how each of them have such unique and special personalities. I can’t wait to find out what my last little one will be like. Like most moms, I have big dreams for this baby. I don’t mean big dreams like wanting him or her to be the President of the United States. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I actually think that job would really suck</em>. First and foremost I dream that this little one (and all of my kids) will be HAPPY. I want them to know that being happy might be something completely different for each of them and I’m excited to see what path brings each of them happiness. I want them to recognize that happiness and success are not tied to material things though it’s easy to lose sight of this at times. I want them to realize that even in this very brand centric world we live in, wearing or driving or displaying specific brands should not help them to define who they are. (This may seem odd since their mom is a marketer but perhaps it’s because I’m a marketer that I feel strongly that using brands to influence the perception of who we are is ridiculous.) If I can get one message across to them I hope they will know that WHO they are INSIDE is what will truly define them and <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">should</em> matter most to the important people in their lives. I want them to be KIND. I want them to value people and experiences before belongings. I want them to be strong and confident and not afraid to stand out in the crowd. There are a lot of simple, day-to-day lessons I get hung up on with my kids like going potty and taking turns but these are definitely the bigger picture life long lessons I hope I can demonstrate and instill on this baby and my other two children.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Until last night I wasn’t really thinking about doing much for a nursery “theme” but as I was dreaming of what I want for this little one, all of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes were coming into my mind and it hit me that “Oh, the places you’ll go…” is the perfect theme. I instantly went on Pinterest and started pinning away. This nursery theme is the perfect representation of my current mindset for this precious baby and will be a reminder to me of what I want for them every time I sit in that glider in their room. Whether this baby is a boy or a girl, I am so eager to meet them and see where they go. Boy or girl, this baby WILL move mountains!</div>
<blockquote style="border: none; color: #404040; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 1.8rem; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3.0769em; position: relative; quotes: ''; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Oh, the places you’ll go</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You’ve got brains in your head</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You’ve got feet in your shoes</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Kid, you’ll move mountains!"</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
~Dr. Seuss</div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-86903201989213830742016-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:002017-04-12T13:40:28.409-07:00Why Baby Flutters Are the Most Magical Part of Pregnancy<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiJRkS0hC9ZgvD4XreAHIPKWKuNMQuWoXflt1qgDR4pp3TVeTFvxcu7sP1Y6RKR67NzaHw2jlAzr7w8JTCqqjCACZvONt882nBAHR4Omi3nRXT2y25FNbl7Gc7Cxry-lrJbYQi1YtBriO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-12+at+1.30.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiJRkS0hC9ZgvD4XreAHIPKWKuNMQuWoXflt1qgDR4pp3TVeTFvxcu7sP1Y6RKR67NzaHw2jlAzr7w8JTCqqjCACZvONt882nBAHR4Omi3nRXT2y25FNbl7Gc7Cxry-lrJbYQi1YtBriO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-12+at+1.30.27+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sickness has past. My energy is coming back. <i>As</i> <i>much as it can with two little boys, of course</i>. I’m in the sweet spot of pregnancy and have a very visible bump now. I’m getting the second trimester glow and my thoughts are full of excitement and dreams for my next little love. My inner Martha Stewart is even coming out as I’m starting to catch myself nesting. <i>Oh, how I missed her!</i> But even better than Martha, my all-time favorite milestone throughout pregnancy is feeling my baby moving inside me; from the first baby flutters to the strong kicks of the third trimester. While feeling the baby move is a “normal” part of pregnancy, it feels nothing short of magical and here is why:</span></div>
</strong></h4>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BABY FLUTTERS ARE THE FIRST PURE & NATURAL SIGN OF LIFE MOVING INSIDE OF US. </span></strong></h4>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the first view of the baby via ultrasound and hearing that little heartbeat are truly awesome, they are both brought about by technology. Yet from the beginning of time, expectant mothers have felt baby flutters without technology or visiting a doctor which makes this experience even that much more phenomenal.</span></div>
</strong></h4>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">EVERY PREGNANCY IS A MIRACLE & THIS IS A REMINDER OF THAT MIRACLE.</span></strong></h4>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are so many women out there that are struggling with infertility issues. It breaks my heart and I realize that I am so blessed to experience this for a third time and I’m not going to take one second of it for granted. I could lay on the couch for hours <i>if my boys would let me </i>just<i> </i>fascinated by these tiny baby flutters moving around my belly like a butterfly. While laying for hours is not realistic, I’m soaking up these moments as much as I can throughout the day and as I drift to sleep at night. When I think about all of the things that have to go right for a healthy pregnancy to occur, these baby flutters seem nothing short of miraculous.</span></div>
</strong></h4>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IT’S A SECRET CONVERSATION CALLING MY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT I’M NOT ALONE.</span></strong></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This will be my last pregnancy and through all of my experiences with pregnancy THIS has always been the part I miss when it’s over, the part I just don’t want to let go of and the part I long for when I pass by other pregnant women. I’m in love with these secret, quiet conversations that go on between me and my peanut and the fact that I can be mid conversation with a group of people and without anyone around me realizing I feel that little tap tap. It is a constant reminder that though I currently go about my days business-as-usual, there is a precious human being growing inside of ME. “Hi, Mommy. I’m here!” THIS is absolutely astonishing and warms my heart each and every time.</span></div>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I CAN LITERALLY FEEL THE BABY GETTING STRONGER</span></strong></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m trying to live in the moment and yet I can not help but look forward to feeling my little one get stronger and stronger. I know from my past pregnancies that inevitably what started as tiny baby flutters will end as strong karate kicks. Being able to feel this change over the course of pregnancy is just remarkable.</span></div>
<h4 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IT IS ONE OF THE FEW PARTS OF PREGNANCY THAT I CAN SHARE WITH MY FAMILY </span></strong></h4>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a matter of weeks I will no longer be the only one that can feel him or her already making their mark. I can hardly wait until the movements get strong enough to feel the movement from outside my belly. I’m anxious to share this extraordinary experience with my boys and husband.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can I bottle THIS up? How can I make sure I never forget THIS feeling? With all of the technology we have to take pictures and videos to capture every last moment, the only way to truly hold on to THIS is to soak it all in and pray that it stays with me forever. This is the beginning of a precious new bond and I don’t want to ever forget it.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear God, let me always remember THIS feeling. I’m in love with my baby flutters.</span></div>
<blockquote style="border: none; color: #404040; font-family: 'Droid Serif', serif; font-size: 1.8rem; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 3.0769em; position: relative; quotes: ''; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-style: inherit; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside… When a tiny heartbeat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. ~Unknown</div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-76184537331353478422016-01-10T15:20:00.000-08:002017-05-04T15:51:13.643-07:00Gaining Strength, Perspective & Joy<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
It seems like most of us have "a thing", a reoccurring struggle or a challenge we deal with throughout our lives. It may be related to money, health, family, or something else... I don't think I've met a person yet who doesn't have at least one "thing" they are challenged with.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
My "thing" is that I have a chronic disease called Ulcerative Colitis. It's hard to believe I'm sharing this because I used to be really embarrassed about it. But the longer I have it and the older I get, it's just become a part of who I am. I was diagnosed with it when I was 21 and spent most of my 20s suffering silently from it and not listening to my Doctor because I was determined that I was not going to take medication for the rest of my life. I tried every diet out there, had extensive food allergy testing done, acupuncture, even cranial adjustments - you name it, I tried it! When it was bad, it took over my life. And I spent a ridiculous amount of effort trying to hide the suffering because I was so embarrassed.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Luckily, in my early 30's I found a Doctor I trusted and I was introduced to a modern drug that helped me start to finally get it under control. It's not a cure but I was finally spending most of my time in remission and my yearly colonoscopies were starting to come back clear. I was in great health and ready to start a family.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Recently one of my biggest fears came true. I had a full-blown flare up while pregnant. I had been fortunate to get through my other pregnancies without any issues. This is particularly scary when you are pregnant because most women are not able to get it under control until they are no longer pregnant and it poses a lot of risks to the baby. Now here I am a stay-at-home-mom of a 2 and 3-year-old, pregnant and trying to deal with the debilitating symptoms that come with this. I literally cried my way through my Doctor visit as I was faced with the reality that I could very well end up on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. And all I could think about was some of the stupid things I'd complained about recently. And how in this moment I would give anything to just feel better and have a normal day with my kids. Every other recent challenge, even the morning sickness, seemed so small and ridiculous.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The good news is that by the second day dealing with this I was done feeling sorry for myself. I decided that crying was not going to fix this and the only chance I had at getting out of it was to put all my focus on getting better. And I did! I've never had such a terrible flare up come on so fast and go away after just ONE WEEK! That's unheard of but I am so grateful that between the support of my Doctors and my husband, as well as, my change in attitude, I recovered very quickly. My husband deserves a medal. He spent all of his time outside of work doing everything from grocery shopping to cooking to taking care of our boys just to let me rest as much as possible. And somehow, I became one of the few lucky women to overcome this while pregnant. I'm crying as I write this because I seriously feel so so lucky.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I'm not sharing this because I want you to feel bad for me. I don't feel bad for me so you certainly shouldn't. It may be a pain in my ass (literally) from time to time throughout my life but I wouldn't be who I am without this ongoing challenge. I truly believe that more good than bad has come out of me having this. And as I mentioned, I'm certain we all have "a thing." I spent a lot of time last week in deep thought as I hung out on my couch and these are some of my observations:<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>We never know what people around us are dealing with. </strong> This was a reminder to me that there are people all around us quietly suffering from things we are not even aware of. And we should never assume that if someone is optimistic and happy it's because everything is perfect in their life. I know that I'm the type of person that generally shares positive things in my life and not a lot of negative so it's easy to assume I don't have my own set of challenges or somehow just have it easy.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Whatever our thing is, it could be worse.</strong> I feel so incredibly lucky that this is "my thing" and that I don't have something much worse or life threatening. We all have crap to deal with. But it could always be worse. Think of all of the people out there currently fighting for their life, living without their basic needs met, dealing with a loss or something worse.<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Sometimes we are in too much of a hurry to reach this finish line every day. </strong> I walked out of the Doctor office wondering how I was going to take care of my boys while spending most of my time on the couch. In fact, my Doctor joked with me that maybe I need to get a job while I'm trying to get over this as my boys were running around her office in circles. I'm usually very active during the day and barely sit down. We are always busy. How on earth was I going to rest? Well I was SO pleasantly surprised by my sons' behavior. They were both relatively calm and really well-behaved all week, better than usual actually. They didn't complain about the long period of time we stayed at home without really doing anything. And it became clear to me at one point that they were actually enjoying the fact that I was sitting still on the couch just hanging out with them rather than being my usual hyper self and trying to get "stuff" done non-stop. While it's not realistic for me to always sit on the couch, I realize that maybe I do need to take more time to just stop and chill out with them. Calm Mommy = calm little ones!<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>We have to keep things in perspective. </strong> Most importantly this incident reminded me to stop complaining about stupid stuff! I had some truly bad days last week and was almost laughing to myself thinking about recent days I had labeled as "bad". I just kept thinking I would give anything to just feel good. Give me a day of both my kids whining all day over feeling like this any day. So thank you to this incident I'm currently feeling incredibly grateful for simple things like feeling normal, being able to leave the house and take care of my family. And, of course, I am so thankful to be moving into my second trimester with a healthy little one.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I'm on cloud 9 today as my storm has passed but I realize a lot of you may be right in the middle of a storm. All I can suggest is to do your best to stay positive. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. These truly are the things that make us stronger, help us to keep perspective and enjoy all of the good we have. I wish you all a year full of strength, perspective and joy! Happy New Year! Make it a good one! I know I will.<br />
<br />
"When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, you can let is destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you." ~Unknown</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-87583820380408455122015-12-18T15:24:00.000-08:002017-05-04T15:55:35.345-07:00Should We Have Three Kids?<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0fn51p31DkZO77lSzudICaYIejts_7Atv0GNejOl8JXvQNnCs6kt4tqXOKKh7EOCQRkkFppuYKhhFJZZFha9grS-vcwbrLtQ0lxU0KJt7JOXv6iXY9AGDLJOsnR7RivggNRQ2nf0Hzb8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.09.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0fn51p31DkZO77lSzudICaYIejts_7Atv0GNejOl8JXvQNnCs6kt4tqXOKKh7EOCQRkkFppuYKhhFJZZFha9grS-vcwbrLtQ0lxU0KJt7JOXv6iXY9AGDLJOsnR7RivggNRQ2nf0Hzb8/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.09.12+PM.png" width="198" /></a></div>
I asked Google, of course. And apparently so have many others. Interestingly enough there is actually a <a data-mce-href="http://www.havingthreekids.com/index.html" href="http://www.havingthreekids.com/index.html" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">whole site</a> devoted to this question because it is such a big decision for so many parents. For my husband and I we always knew we would at least have two, no question. But three kids? This felt like more of a life-changing decision. Do we have the energy? Will starting from scratch hold us back from doing things? How will this change the dynamic of our family?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Since our second son was born, we spent the majority of the time feeling like we were 98% sure that we were done. Until we weren't.... We had our first two boys close together. They are only 19 months apart in age. And during the first two years of having two very little ones, we felt our hands were full and our family was complete. Additionally I had passed that magical maternal age of 35 possibly adding a few more risks. With that said, we never made the decision permanent because we both knew there was a chance that when our youngest was no longer a baby, we would change our mind. And we always said that if we had a surprise 3rd pregnancy, we would be thrilled. I think we almost hoped the decision would be made for us but the surprise never came.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Two major things happened that really made us decide it was time to take this leap of faith:</div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 1em; padding-left: 0px;">
<li>I quit my job. I feel pretty confident that had I not quit my job, I would not have made this decision to have another. When I was working full time and juggling family I was at my limit physically and mentally. While I've seen amazing working parents successfully making it work with more children, I feel strongly that I was just not cut out for that. That's not to say I will never be a working Mom of 3 because I probably will go back to work at some point. But right now at these stages, in this moment, it feels like too much. Now that I'm home with my boys and focused on family, I think (<em>hope</em>) I can give the attention needed to another little one.</li>
<li>Our baby turned 2. While he technically was no longer a baby after 1, he REALLY was no longer a baby at 2. He talks now. He is potty trained. We no longer have diapers in our house which is supposed to be a moment to celebrate but I actually felt unexpectedly sad about it. It's interesting because before I had my own children, I was never really drawn to babies. But now that I've felt the sweet rewards of motherhood, I now understand what "baby fever" is all about.</li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The consideration of having a third has never been about gender for us. Neither of us felt we had to "try for a girl" as many people have suggested. We are very happy with our boys and will be ecstatic with a boy or girl for our third.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
There's no doubt I was still scared to make this decision. Do I really have it in me at 36 to start from scratch one last time? I started surveying moms during random conversations and also in forums. How do you know when you are done? How do I know if I should have another? Here are some of my favorite responses:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong><em>When you are done, you'll know it. </em></strong>But I don't know it. <em><strong> Then you're not done...</strong> </em>I must say that it feels good to know this time that this is my final baby. And now I will be done. That lingering question was constantly spinning in my head. <em><br /></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong><em>You have a mini-van so you are all set! </em></strong>Ha! Obviously having a minivan in itself is not a reason to have another child but I think the point is that I have the resources I need to make this work without making a lot of big changes like moving houses or needing a bigger car so that definitely makes things easier.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong><em>You'll never regret the kids you have, only the ones you don't.</em> </strong> This is the response that I think really got me. It actually gave me the chills. In the last few months since I've been at home, I've felt like there may be someone missing - someone we haven't met yet. My boys do fight but they also have so much fun together and adding another sibling to the mix truly seems like one of the best gifts my husband and I could ever give them. We were originally worried that having another baby would in some way hold us all back from doing things in the short term. This may be true to some small extent but when we look into the future and see more children at the table on Thanksgiving, playing together in the backyard, or standing up in each other's weddings some day, we like that view and now know that this is the right decision for us.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
And so I am fortunate to be pregnant one last time. This time I am 100% sure that this will be my last. This feels like our family will be complete. I am going to make it my job to savor every moment of this pregnancy. I've had a rough start with morning sickness but I refuse to let that be my memory of this last beautiful experience. I'm looking forward to every milestone and every last kick. I am going to enjoy sharing this miraculous experience with my boys. I am fortunate that they are at ages where they can understand, join in the excitement and fall in love with the newest member of our family right along with us. We are truly blessed.</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-82638978662199670172015-11-08T09:23:00.000-08:002017-05-04T15:56:54.154-07:00Dear Career, I Miss You...<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9esn2cSzCtdJjuHQ7GahG7M55nko54B6l-FjEhxIR0wgz3PXlZ9euK68b758Q1r3nnB7DmMqaYHpQYMEu-xTJH5SbBCZd6h__y8kvkEyCBlPTaPivqducusLtWpeUjN0FXOywCEuJtoG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9esn2cSzCtdJjuHQ7GahG7M55nko54B6l-FjEhxIR0wgz3PXlZ9euK68b758Q1r3nnB7DmMqaYHpQYMEu-xTJH5SbBCZd6h__y8kvkEyCBlPTaPivqducusLtWpeUjN0FXOywCEuJtoG/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.08.57+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
It's been 4 months since I quit my job to be a stay at home mom. Let me start by telling you that I have not regretted this decision for a second. My husband and I are both seeing such a positive impact on our children and our household. It was absolutely the right decision for our family and we both agree that it's hard to imagine me going back to work again anytime soon.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
With that said, I would be lying if I didn't share the fact that I do miss my career at times. Being a stay at home mom is a very selfless and often monotonous lifestyle. I answer "why" at least 100 times a day. I tell my children to stop fighting more times than I can count. And I talk about poop and pee more than I ever thought possible only to do it all again the next day. And beyond the monotony, it can even feel lonely at times because of the lack of adult interaction. I often think about having coffee in the morning with my co-workers and miss that time of socializing, even if it was just for a brief ten minute break. Everything I think about and do now is for my children. And I could easily lose myself in this. It's easy to fall into the SAHM funk.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
My husband pointed out to me a few weeks ago that I have been very quite recently. I've been thinking about why that was. "I'm in a funk" is all that I could come up with when he asked. This funk comes from the monotony of my days. It is quite different from my previous working environment constantly full of new projects and challenges to take on. By the end of the day saying the same things over and over, I often feel both mentally and physically exhausted. I reach that point where I just can't bear to tell them to stop jumping off the couch again or break up another fight. And yet the minute they are asleep I miss them like crazy and find myself telling my husband all about the cute things they did that day. I find joy reminiscing all of the wonderful things we did together and regret the moments I felt annoyed. It's crazy how that works. It's the yin and yang of motherhood, I suppose.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
This funk certainly doesn't mean that I don't want to be with them every day. I really do. But it's the honest truth that children take so much of us. At work, I was Sue. At home, I'm Mommy. I think I miss a little of Sue. And it's okay that I feel this way. I'm allowed to feel this way. We (SAHMs) are allowed to miss that version of ourselves. It's that very important version of ourselves that doesn't include Mommy. It doesn't change how much we love our children or that we want to be at home with them. It makes us human. It makes us real.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
In fact, it might actually be strange if I didn't miss my career at all. I put 13 years of hard work into being a marketing chick and then gave it up cold turkey just 4 short months ago. So I do have moments where I fantasize about sitting quietly at my desk at work and checking things off my list without anyone needing me. But the truth is that the fantasy isn't real. I would have been answering multiple instant messages, trying to keep up with email and actually get something accomplished while staring at the pics of my little guys on my desk. I'm just romanticizing a situation that I made a very conscious decision to change. Had I not made that change there were 100s of precious moments I would have missed over the last 4 months that I absolutely wanted to be here for. I've even read my old posts about <a data-mce-href="http://www.sheswinning.com/the-secret-lives-of-working-moms-with-ponytails/" href="http://www.sheswinning.com/the-secret-lives-of-working-moms-with-ponytails/" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">how hard it was to be a working mom</a>, as well as, <a data-mce-href="http://www.sheswinning.com/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom/" href="http://www.sheswinning.com/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom/" style="color: #f25f70; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">why I made this decision</a> to remind myself that this is the right choice for me. While the days often seem long, I know that these years go by too quickly. The corporate grass may seem greener for moments here and there, but I'm confident the grass right in my own backyard is exactly where I want to be right now.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Dear career, I miss you. But the truth is that I missed my kids more. #sheswinning</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-54209907886985105012015-09-14T16:39:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:57:13.829-07:00You Got This, Mama!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bHm2n6pc4tYDsHzTjWQSo9aosampcakBeQ_zGZfUg796RywzTDKQTLUYtRgRAs7DKMcJWXUf5AeWdSSoblsBsJmoNbDSUp5rFuPGTf2rAT4KKxVOj93JOgspLWjX2NWgIkNNE_J5hyphenhyphen1t/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.23.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bHm2n6pc4tYDsHzTjWQSo9aosampcakBeQ_zGZfUg796RywzTDKQTLUYtRgRAs7DKMcJWXUf5AeWdSSoblsBsJmoNbDSUp5rFuPGTf2rAT4KKxVOj93JOgspLWjX2NWgIkNNE_J5hyphenhyphen1t/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.23.32+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"You got this, Mama!" has become one of the most comforting phrases I hear these days. I'm fortunate to be surrounded by amazing friends and family. They are my village and I couldn't survive motherhood without them.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I was texting back and forth with one of my dearest friends yesterday about our normal <em>mommy stuff</em>. And at the end of our conversation she sent me this:</div>
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<i>PS - I just want you to know that I think of you as one of my strongest mommy friends. The way you so selflessly put your kids before your career is inspiring. And even though it so hard and the days seem never-ending, you are truly doing an amazing job with those boys. You can see it in their demeanor, they love the time and energy you give. And even though as moms we don't hear it nearly enough, you are making a huge difference in their lives and giving them something that is priceless. I'm grateful that on the hard, most discouraging days we have someone to vent/cry/laugh with in a completely judgement free space. You are living the definition of super mom, even when you feel you aren't. Love you friend!</i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<i>Wow</i>. I instantly started crying. I was crying because while this had nothing to do with our text conversation I needed this so badly and she knew it. Becoming a stay at home mom takes a mental toughness and daily endurance that I wasn't prepared for and my mommy friends, especially this very dear friend, are what keep me from running for the hills. <em>Or at least locking myself in my pantry.</em> This note is what true friends are all about and why they are so vital to our well-being. Being a mom is hard. It's full of new challenges, second guessing and giving more of ourselves than we ever knew we had to give. But we do it because, while the rewards can be far and few between, when they happen they are bigger than life. And having someone to encourage us and remind us why we are doing this when we need it most is priceless. Her thoughtful words re-energized me and reminded me why my role is so important. Every mommy needs at least one friend like her.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> knows when to take charge at the play date because I just don't have it in me that day to give <em>the taking turns speech</em> one more time.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> listens so closely and attentively to my proud mommy stories because she knows these are the moments that make it all worth it and I desperately need to feel those few minutes of pride.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> laughs with me when my little ones say the darndest things. Motherhood is so much more enjoyable when you have a friend to share these precious moments with.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> knows when I desperately need a cup of coffee or a glass <i>or three </i>of wine.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> is the one I will invite over regardless of whether it's a good day, bad day, messy day or shower-less day because she will never judge.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE </strong>understands that I love my husband more than anything but sometimes he drives me crazy and that's perfectly normal.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> is on every emergency contact list because I know she would drop everything to help me and my kids feel at home with her.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> knows where the poopy diapers go, where to find the snacks and that I'm a little OCD with our Legos.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> remembers when we have that important appointment or the first day of preschool and always checks in with me to see how it went.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> is the one that always sees the good in my kids even on their worst days.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> never one-ups me and can always empathize with my challenges. I can count on her to remind me that <em>this too shall pass.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> will be at my son's birthday party rain or shine because she knows I put my heart and soul into planning it. And points out that even though the wind blew my precious decorations away, my son still enjoyed every minute and that's all that really matters.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> knows that mindless gossiping about the latest contestants on <em>The Bachelor</em> is EXACTLY what this mama needs for a mental break sometimes.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> is the one I strive to be like because her patience with her children is second to none, her loyalty as a friend is inspiring and her values are so strong.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>SHE</strong> sees through my role as mommy and remembers beneath the pony tail and booger-covered yoga pants, I'm so much more than a mama. I'm still a person that needs to be seen and understood.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>And most importantly, SHE</strong> can always hear in my voice or read between the lines in my text when all I need, more than anything, is a simple "You got this, Mama!"</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Whatever your current challenge is... Whether you are feeling too exhausted for tonight's 2am feeding. Or you are sure your children are deaf because they just don't listen. You might even feel positive that your child will not be fully potty trained by elementary school. Let me take this opportunity to pay this precious gift forward. This too shall pass. <em>You got this, Mama!</em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsfhV6EnfKKy4EH9p4XHWag6ySoiI862mGhgSykNCfM8cv8_TzjoDfr8QfgDYsSxszfQv8aLmlAECddBS-wthPqFKbuTJCpXwT5uOubgKBR5mYiacYZuZgb4CuMOZJAhlVADX8tY_2EFE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.23.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsfhV6EnfKKy4EH9p4XHWag6ySoiI862mGhgSykNCfM8cv8_TzjoDfr8QfgDYsSxszfQv8aLmlAECddBS-wthPqFKbuTJCpXwT5uOubgKBR5mYiacYZuZgb4CuMOZJAhlVADX8tY_2EFE/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.23.46+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
May we all be fortunate enough to HAVE & loyal enough to BE a friend just like her.</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-29435690268859839872015-09-14T13:28:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:41:31.027-07:00Sweet Success of the Stay at Home Mom<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I recently <a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom/" style="border: 0px; color: #e1122a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">quit my six figure job to become a stay at home mom</a>. Let me set the record straight that there is no such thing as eating bon bons on the couch and watching soap operas. Sure, there are quick chocolate breaks while hiding in the pantry but that is purely a means of survival. This job is hard.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I’m quickly learning that in order to be “successful” at this new gig, I’m going to have to learn to be okay with far from perfect days. This is not as easy as it seems. When I worked, checking off my to-do list was generally within my control and I could get a lot accomplished in a short period of time. That felt good. At home this is MUCH more challenging. Most days I’m lucky if I get 2 of the 5 items checked off my list. And setting my expectations too high has only led to an unwarranted feeling of failure. Because in stay-at-home-mom-land I can only control so much. My kids don’t always listen, they need a lot of my attention and I have to learn to be more realistic about what is achievable on any given day. Attempting to make more than one phone call at a time is pushing the limit when little people constantly need me. And we aren’t going to get through 5 errands in one day. I now have to account for unexpected tantrums, a LOT<i> </i>of potty stops, and an overall much slower pace. “I want to do it myself, Mommy” takes time! And so I’m starting to appreciate the daily little wins like:</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My kids were fully clothed all day.</strong> Sounds simple but let’s face it, toddlers love to take their clothes off and when you are in the potty training years there are days pants just seem like more of a problem than they are worth. And then there’s the food on their shirts, the dirt from the backyard, the water from the water table… One way or another my kids often end up running around in their underwear. But on our best days I’m determined to keep those darn clothes on. And one of these days I’m going to invite the FEDEX delivery guy in for coffee just because everyone looks descent for once. This is good. Supermom good.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No one got hurt today.</strong> I’m not saying we totally avoided wrestling or that no one fell. That would be pushing it. But we actually made it through the day without pulling out the Mickey band-aids. There were no bumps or bruises or even scratches. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That I know about.</em> They are finally listening to me about being careful. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Or maybe we just got lucky.</em> Either way, I’ll take it. <i>Go Mama!</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I took a shower. </strong> It was glorious. All 2 minutes of it. I may not have make-up on. Yes, I’m wearing yoga pants again but I swear this is a different pair. And my hair is in the usual pony tail but damn it, I am clean! That was until I got an applesauce leg-hug. Well I <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WAS</em> clean for at least 10 minutes and that’s all that matters! <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Someone should take me out to dinner.</em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of my kids said something really nice and I didn’t even initiate it.</strong> “Mommy, you look weally handsome.” I don’t even correct him. Handsome… Pretty… it’s all the same thing. I just take it. I might even Facebook it. It’s definitely a sweet moment to savor. And even brag about. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Listen up everyone, my child is so sweet… </em> Or at least he was for that 30 seconds<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. </em>Just, please, like it. Make me feel good. My days are long. I’ll take any sort of validation. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Even Facebook</em> <i>likes will do.</i><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I made it ALL THE WAY to Daddy coming home without losing my cool.</strong> This is like the gold medal of a successful stay at home mom day. I start out the day with so much patience. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, little love bugs. There’s no need to fight. We take turns. We love each other.</em> But after the 210th “Why?” and the 70th high-pitched scream, it becomes extremely challenging to keep my cool. But if I can do it, if I can just hide in the pantry, eat some chocolate and bite my lips for the last hour of the day until Daddy gets home, I deserve a gold medal. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Seriously. </em>That last hour is like the final stretch of a marathon. Every. Single. Day.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I made a healthy dinner and my kids ate it. </strong> A little of it. Okay, even if one of them just licked it, that counts. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Grant licked his broccoli. Did you see that, honey? He LOVES broccoli! I gotta get a picture of this. </em> I give myself a pat on the back for making a lick-able dinner. If it touched their mouths, I won. Dinnertime success! Someone give me a raise. <i>Or at least a glass of wine.</i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I may not get a paycheck. <i>Though I definitely deserve one. </i> Or even a simple thank you. But this job is harder than most and I AM successful, damn it. I’m raising my children to be healthy & clothed gentlemen one little win at a time. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s t</em><i>ime to </i><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">upgrade my chocolate stash.</em></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-52266030330325610902015-09-04T13:33:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:51:35.271-07:00SAHM Month 1: The Good, The Bad & The Savings<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none;">Month one flew by so fast! It’s crazy! I’m still adjusting to this new lifestyle but I’ve noticed that with each week I’m learning new tricks on how to be a successful stay at home mom. And let me tell you, this job is not easy. It’s hard. It’s rewarding. It’s exhausting. It’s fun. It’s so many things. I apologize in advance that this post is all over the place. It’s very representative of my current state of mind.</span></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE GOOD</strong></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I still feel that I am less stressed than I used to be. </strong> Now I would like to clarify that this is not to say it’s <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">easier</em> or that I don’t have struggles. I will explain my new struggles below. We’ve gotten busier and busier as the month has gone on but the actual pace still feels much better than my previous pace. We take longer to do every step now because I am in control of our schedule. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Well kind of in control. My threenager would argue that he is. </em> I’m no longer forcing my kids out the door so I can get to work and running into the house at the end of the day like a crazy lady. The change of pace alone has improved my life dramatically.<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 300;"></span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My older son started preschool and he LOVES it. </strong> This is a big deal. With all of the different child care situations we’ve had, with the exception of our most recent part-time nanny, he had a VERY hard time with any change. I literally peeled him from sidewalks and parking lots to get him to walk in the door of daycare at times. I was reluctant but I still decided to sign him up for preschool on Tues and Thurs mornings for only 2.5 hours. And he LOVES it!!! He has not shed a tear. For a child that was used to going to daycare ALL DAY LONG, this new preschool situation is awesome! He is excited to go and when I pick him up he can’t stop talking about the activities he did there. I think it is just the right amount of time for him right now. I joined the Board at the preschool and also aid a few days a month which lowers the cost of him going there and gives me something to do outside of our house. I’m hopeful that this is setting him up to be excited about going to elementary school when the time comes in 2 years.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My younger son is really thriving with me at home.</strong> He hasn’t been sick since week #1 which was left over from daycare days. I know that doesn’t seem like long but he was sick ALL OF THE TIME when I was working so I’m keeping my fingers crossed we will stay on this healthier path. He is also finally napping much more consistently. Let’s hope he keeps it up! Additionally, with my other son going to preschool for a few hours a week, I now have 1:1 time with my little guy. I am SO thankful for this time. Just yesterday we were running around laughing and I was thinking that I rarely had any 1:1 time with him when I was working since he is always the first to go to bed at night. I truly cherish this time because I know it wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t made the choice to quit my job.</div>
</strong></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE BAD</strong></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s no escaping this job.</strong> My bosses wake me up each morning and the hard work doesn’t end until my older son goes to sleep between 8 and 8:30 at night. This job is every day of the week. Somebody always needs me and there is usually a line to get my attention. I feel like I’m working at the deli counter but my customers don’t take those nice little tickets and wait patiently. I’m constantly saying “Dean, your next in line after I finish reading this to Grant. Rocky, I’ll fill your water bowl as soon as I’m done helping Dean with his puzzle.” And it just keeps going around and around. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Somebody always needs mommy. And mommy needs a break. </em> Only one of my children naps so even nap time is not a break. I’m quickly learning that I need to work with my husband to give myself breaks. I love my boys but they are exhausting and I absolutely need breaks for my own sanity.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Too much time at home.</strong> During our first week we spent a lot of time at home. I think this worked fine for us then because none of us were used to being at home. It was new and it was fun. By week #2, I thought I was seriously going to lose my mind every time we were at home. It seemed as though my boys were just constantly looking for trouble and I wanted to pull my hair out! No joke. Where are the bon bons and soap operas? That whole idea of moms just relaxing at home is quite comical. There is no relaxing in my world right now. Luckily with preschool starting, this has provided great balance for us outside of the home. Additionally, we have been filling our days with other activities such as meeting Daddy for lunch (we pack our lunch and meet him outside, we don’t buy), going to the library, going to park, going to playdates, etc. The more activities we have to do, the better our days go.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My lack of patience endurance!</strong> Patience endurance is my number one struggle and so it’s become my main goal each day. It is my daily measurement of success. The longer I can last, the better I feel about how I’m doing in this role. I start every day on a positive note. I’ve always been a morning person so it is easier for me to be patient with my kids in the morning. But it has become very clear that I need to work on my endurance because it starts to wear as the day goes on. </div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
I go from a very nice, positive mommy to a mommy I don’t want to be. I’ve yelled. I’ve cried. I’ve felt like I completely failed my new job during this time. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Even my pony tail suffers as the day goes</em> on.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
Luckily I have awesome mommy friends. And after two much-needed happy hours of talking through my challenges and my failures, I realized two very important things:</div>
<ol style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m not alone.</strong> This tends to be a challenging part of the day for all moms with kids of all ages. Even the most patient moms I know struggle at the end of the day sometimes. This is just something I’m going to have to work on.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mommy happy hours are a MUST. </strong> I had so much fun venting with moms. I laughed. I cried. And I walked away feeling renewed and ready to tackle the next days challenges.</li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
And by the end of the month I noticed three factors that positively impact my patience endurance and so I hope to put more focus on these in the coming month: Exercising, Eating Well and Having a Plan. We’ll see how I do…</div>
</strong></h1>
<h1 style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #404040; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">& THE SAVINGS</strong></h1>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/sahm-week-1-the-good-the-bad-the-savings/" style="border: 0px; color: #e1122a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">In my first update I shared the big ways we are already saving over $3k monthly</a>. I have an update on getting rid of cable. And I’d also like to share how we are now saving on the drinks that used to drive up our grocery bill.<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have an update on our plan to give up cable ($122/mo savings). </strong>This month my husband took the existing DirectTV dish we had on our house from before cancelling cable and attached a $40 HDTV antenna. It’s bringing in a bunch of local and network channels in high def for free. And we get all the live cable channels we want from Sling TV ($20/mo) so I’m all set. And as I mentioned last week additionally, we watch shows and movies on demand through, Amazon, Netflix ($4/mo by sharing account) and Hulu ($4/mo by sharing account). So in summary, we have all the channels we want now for <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$28/mo</strong>. We were paying $150/mo on our Direct TV bill. Yahoooo!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$71/mo savings on drinks. </strong>We noticed that drinks are always a big portion of our grocery bill. My husband and I stopped drinking pop at home years ago which was an instant savings but we replaced it with lemonade and iced tea. We were buying a lot of bottles of each every week, as well as, Keurig cups for my coffee habit. We’ve made a few changes:<ul style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We bought an iced tea maker which is much more economical. We buy iced tea bags for the maker every two weeks for $3.28 vs the bottles we used to buy for ~$12/week saving us ~<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$42/mo</strong>!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I now buy a huge container of lemonade powder from Wal-Mart for ~$9 and make my own lemonade. Not only is this more economical but I really don’t want to drink a lot of sugar so I’m able to make larger pitchers of very weak lemonade just giving me a tiny bit of flavor in my water without all the extra sugar. This comes out to <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~$15/mo savings</strong>.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For coffee, I purchased a refillable Keurig cup and I now buy my a huge bag of my favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee from Costco for $19.99 and just fill it in the cup every day. It seems like this is going to last me 2 months. Compared to the Keurig cups I was previously buying, I will be <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">saving ~$14/mo.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Overall, I have ZERO regrets about <a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom/" style="border: 0px; color: #e1122a; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">quitting my job</a>. Now more than ever, I feel like this is the right choice and I wonder how I will ever go back to working someday. This month has not been all rainbows and puppies but even with my many struggles, the positive far out weighs the negative for me.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
And do you want to know what the kicker is to all of this? I have baby fever!!! What?!? How can someone who is just barely surviving her 2 and 3-year-old boys have baby fever? It doesn’t make sense. It’s one of the crazy mysteries of life, I guess. I don’t think the logical side of this mommy will give in to doing this all again but it is interesting that I could even have baby fever. And it just goes to show that despite all of the challenges our little one’s bring, the joy could actually make a struggling mommy consider adding yet another little one to the mix.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Was this update helpful? Do you have advice for me or other moms? I’d love to hear it and include it in next month’s update. Write me in the comments, message me on Facebook or email me at sue@sheswinning.com.</em></div>
<span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Until next month, stay strong Mamas! We got this!</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-38747053507891398832015-08-31T10:29:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:55:49.699-07:00I'm Going Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN6Neg9Sm2lzo2xhq2xA54u5QPRq9Lg69e82KhwQPvirYCAAXB53jIzrUmEo3fMXe1GJBzTt6qZgn_zpZMXtXGRp1COLeU95gC8rTaU1uoFfj-xX_UpE-bbiuJQgidnG34Oo6EFnUgnHP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdN6Neg9Sm2lzo2xhq2xA54u5QPRq9Lg69e82KhwQPvirYCAAXB53jIzrUmEo3fMXe1GJBzTt6qZgn_zpZMXtXGRp1COLeU95gC8rTaU1uoFfj-xX_UpE-bbiuJQgidnG34Oo6EFnUgnHP/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.39+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Well, yes, my hair is too. But I’m not referring to those beauties on the top of my head that my children and entering my mid thirties brought about. This is my new stance on mommy wars. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that NOTHING related to being a parent is black and white and so I’m officially joining team gray.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In my pre-kid era, I watched from a far. I heard about a few of the hot mommy topics from other parents and <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">thought</em> I knew where I stood despite that fact that I was actually clueless on everything kid related. I passed judgment on other people’s parenting and their children’s behavior. “I’ll never…” are the famous last words of the pre-kid era. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Karma’s a bitch. </em>Now I hear first time pregnant women telling me all of the things they will do perfectly. And all of the things they <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will never do</em>. Trust me, I was never going to let my child scream in public either or use an iPad to entertain them when I needed a break. But guess who has one of the loudest screamers at the store and hands her son an iPad so she can talk to her husband at the restaurant. ME!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I started out motherhood not really knowing anything at all. And inside I was really scared. I joined a few mommy forums and was overwhelmed by the amount of hot topics and strong opinions on each. I read the very lengthy debates that no one ever won but kept quiet on my own thoughts since I was still feeling very insecure about my new role and ability to make <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the right</em> decisions. But by the time my first son was about 6 months I was feeling really good about this whole motherhood thing. I know. I know… 6 months is that beautiful happy baby age where our little ones are becoming aware, they are cute as a button but still not moving. It is truly the sweet spot of babyhood. And so my confidence as a mom started to grow. My first son started sleeping through the night at 12 weeks old and took the most amazing naps. I’m talking about 4 hour naps!!! It had to be because of me, right? <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clearly, I am very good at getting little ones to nap and eat. </em> <insert sarcasm> And so, with things going so smoothly and that magic advanced maternity age of 35 sneaking up on me, I got pregnant with my second little guy when my first son was just 10 months old.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Throughout my pregnancy I felt 10x more confident about what I was getting into. When my second son arrived, I planned to do all the same things and I was sure he would sleep and eat and probably be an even easier baby. I enjoyed giving advice to other moms in the forums and taking a stance on the many debates that would arise despite my limited experience. Pacifiers , vaccinations, sleep training, breast-feeding… you name it. I was now an experienced mom and had strong opinions one way or the other.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m literally laughing out loud at myself right now.</em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My second little love came into the world via emergency c-section. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What?!? That was not the plan. I don’t have c-sections!?! </em> And he had terrible reflux which lead to a lot of sleeping and eating problems. As I slowly started to realize that none of the things that worked with my first were working with my second, it became almost comical that I had been so overly confident. Thank you for knocking me off my pedestal, sweet #2. I needed that. I needed you.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the last 2 years since I had my second son, and since my other son became a threenager, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">threenagers are a fun topic in themselves, </em>I’ve slowly started viewing the mommy wars in a whole new light. I struggle each and everyday with something mommy related and I realize now more than ever that there really isn’t one right answer to any of this. The truth is that every child, mom, age and situation is different. I feel very guilty for the times I had tried to convince others that my way was the best way. And I now see that most of my experiences to date actually fall into a very gray area:</div>
<ul style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I had one child vaginally and the other via c-section. And guess what!? The reward was the same. They are both the most precious little boys I could have dreamed of. So what does that mean that the same mom doing all the same things delivered each of her babies in a different way? I guess I fall into that gray area.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Both of my children were breastfed and formula fed. I did the best I could. And I feel good about that. Did I breastfeed? Yes, but not for as long as a lot of others. So whenever someone asks me if I breastfed, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">which is kind of a weird thing to ask BTW,</em> my answer is not black or white.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We kind of, sort of did sleep training and kind of didn’t. Parents seem to have different definitions of what that means but the truth is that we all have the same goal and that is to have well rested, healthy children. And my children each needed different types of support from me to help them sleep. It really wasn’t black and white.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We don’t co-sleep regularly but we will let our children come into our bed when they are scared or sick. It depends on the situation. It’s just not black or white.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was a working mom for 3.5 years and now I’m a SAHM. Neither choice was right or wrong. And one is not easier or harder than the other. They are both challenging and rewarding in their own ways. Just call me gray on that one too!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I was working we tried daycares and nannies. They both had their advantages and disadvantages. And each of my children did better in a different situation. There was no perfect answer. In the end, we did both. We did gray… daycare on Tues, Thurs and Fri and a nanny on Mon and Wed.</li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I could go on and on about why I have recently decided I’m on team gray. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are so many mommy wars and debates going on daily because there truly are so many different <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">right</em> ways to do things. If there weren’t there would be a manual of how to raise kids. But there are no black and white answers to the many tough decisions we make along the way. There can’t be! Our kids are all unique individuals and so are we. I’m done choosing sides. One of my new goals at this point in my life is to give support and receive support on whatever choices we all make knowing that, as moms, we are all doing the best we can to make the right choices for each child and each situations.. And we will mess up sometimes but we do the best we can.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The answers are gray. So let’s help each other find which shade of gray works best for each of our children. Are you with me? <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I need all of the help I can get.</em></div>
<blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 2px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em; quotes: ''; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The shoe that fits one person pinches another, there is not a recipe for living that suits all cases. ~Carl Jung</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-91524406008338744322015-08-26T10:46:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:56:03.898-07:00To My Baby Boy On Your Second Birthday<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Sweet Little Boy,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m overcome with emotion thinking back to your very dramatic entrance into this world just two short years ago. You didn’t come according to my plan. After giving birth to your older brother I thought I knew what to expect. But you entered the world in your own way. It was clear then and is still clear today that you will pave your own path. And from your very first breath I knew that all of the things I thought I had learned about being a mom would change with you.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNttww0EjEaLPEh43fIM90yKH7H38zqSW0bpt5Nsc6TRTjdxMB2g6dJ4EokZQ5LkLw01T0eiNcyB4m01lmjEkChrjpRaB56spuXh5PyYxvJ3mb7vgyLYdooVb65gzYHn3cY3qxhJHc_v1/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNttww0EjEaLPEh43fIM90yKH7H38zqSW0bpt5Nsc6TRTjdxMB2g6dJ4EokZQ5LkLw01T0eiNcyB4m01lmjEkChrjpRaB56spuXh5PyYxvJ3mb7vgyLYdooVb65gzYHn3cY3qxhJHc_v1/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.15+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Y<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ou</span> bring me new joys.</strong> And you bring me new challenges. You make me a better me every day.</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rTYQmT6TY7qI_1w9-bp3iyTxWP-zJrxrJorjAlbEs7rnT-L36T2LajmU9iRfDzMC-GPs3YUFYq17soy_iUWo0QYNxxpGc4vfTpcpoo3tg3VQsPnmD23LEsEOGayiBL0bmTqDWPccXobQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rTYQmT6TY7qI_1w9-bp3iyTxWP-zJrxrJorjAlbEs7rnT-L36T2LajmU9iRfDzMC-GPs3YUFYq17soy_iUWo0QYNxxpGc4vfTpcpoo3tg3VQsPnmD23LEsEOGayiBL0bmTqDWPccXobQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.01+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Your fearlessness keeps me constantly at the edge of my seat. </strong>But I know you will use it to do extraordinary things with your life. You will be unstoppable!</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexhKl3IXsRUokrjK_AD345egkGkqARteV1RyR2twJ9iQFLwer2_AC8h08f93eG7bvouy6KruWkgxOCFqY3NFO_nXvoSbZTs1EERS2hAkhAqmaYBAeKjsOw67g1Lx_GRi6ArrkTsWZMrpR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.24.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexhKl3IXsRUokrjK_AD345egkGkqARteV1RyR2twJ9iQFLwer2_AC8h08f93eG7bvouy6KruWkgxOCFqY3NFO_nXvoSbZTs1EERS2hAkhAqmaYBAeKjsOw67g1Lx_GRi6ArrkTsWZMrpR/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.24.56+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You play hard but you love even harder. </strong> There has never been a hug as tight as yours. You hug with every ounce of strength you have. And someday you will have a family of your own that will be stronger because of <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">that hug</span>.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFcxi7A7L2N0TeA4VWGStGTduNGq6sb37LQ0JnALqmYh6S9B5dFXqDRF-XrjqDWwFEDU9hEXp6deZBaQCJAWSjcFbMCf78NUe0Og7K-xBcfRyZ0L8it0ZV9QuMfcL6Ut0xXhkhiBKL3k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNFcxi7A7L2N0TeA4VWGStGTduNGq6sb37LQ0JnALqmYh6S9B5dFXqDRF-XrjqDWwFEDU9hEXp6deZBaQCJAWSjcFbMCf78NUe0Og7K-xBcfRyZ0L8it0ZV9QuMfcL6Ut0xXhkhiBKL3k/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.31+AM.png" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You wear dirt like it’s your outfit each and every day!</strong> You refuse to stay clean. But in life there is something to be said for knowing how to roll your sleeves up and get dirty. And I’m confident you will use this to be successful.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIF8BLvOlbVyhw4ZPPTOdpDS2mso0h9uJrLVm9ZbzyL-1ab2F_4VUCiwYK0rYjawB4A8Iv9v375Uu-zuo_c0LaFvUoSVL5POzXS4Z59ZD1zlkTf565X94j9s2iPLWgHFytGfec6srrDaA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIF8BLvOlbVyhw4ZPPTOdpDS2mso0h9uJrLVm9ZbzyL-1ab2F_4VUCiwYK0rYjawB4A8Iv9v375Uu-zuo_c0LaFvUoSVL5POzXS4Z59ZD1zlkTf565X94j9s2iPLWgHFytGfec6srrDaA/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.49+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You, quite possibly, have the loudest scream I’ve ever heard! </strong>While I’m hopeful you will learn to use your indoor voice (any day now<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">)</span> I’m confident that you will know how to speak up when you have something important to say. And I love this about you.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS_4tfdneVanFQQ3ZM-Oh2S1CG3dHdnM9P30Co44sd8mNrE9F5iMLqHBQQDeDS_VfzmKy8C8KAxGEFcGRd8eEPNqT-bJY8f4XLzvSsLzC7qF1ahBshozA60Aeu5DZ-P2UQHKnE130ve_3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS_4tfdneVanFQQ3ZM-Oh2S1CG3dHdnM9P30Co44sd8mNrE9F5iMLqHBQQDeDS_VfzmKy8C8KAxGEFcGRd8eEPNqT-bJY8f4XLzvSsLzC7qF1ahBshozA60Aeu5DZ-P2UQHKnE130ve_3/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.07.23+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are sooooo handsome. </strong> I know I am your mom, but seriously, there is no denying those big brown eyes will turn heads some day. Just promise me that you will remember that being handsome on the inside is what will always matter most. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4STkrYr9xUT0vmDsMmPvXTwwFzPzwA8mOvA-HsotCM_uhly0bSkmnYEfVDZJXRTQbBbinsavPqCl-nZ_kqOmSrbihyhQ3NXv1gOgiAxI-XC7HB42whSV0UhCs26k7xm8bEMHdrtvd_ElU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4STkrYr9xUT0vmDsMmPvXTwwFzPzwA8mOvA-HsotCM_uhly0bSkmnYEfVDZJXRTQbBbinsavPqCl-nZ_kqOmSrbihyhQ3NXv1gOgiAxI-XC7HB42whSV0UhCs26k7xm8bEMHdrtvd_ElU/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.46+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are as silly as silly comes. </strong> I hope you hold on to this and never take yourself or life too seriously. Knowing how to laugh and make others laugh is an amazing quality to have.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk5MRajGAvyBobLBARqym3AkiueZkmOWcZnliGZoOyKQUfPVqxklPXbDBAkt-KFFvNcehVl9Zz7Te5EMRrLBifjCbxiockLn7PnkOKH7tHpcGEpJgH87DnN16WP-IyOkXpxhTNNFt7krE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk5MRajGAvyBobLBARqym3AkiueZkmOWcZnliGZoOyKQUfPVqxklPXbDBAkt-KFFvNcehVl9Zz7Te5EMRrLBifjCbxiockLn7PnkOKH7tHpcGEpJgH87DnN16WP-IyOkXpxhTNNFt7krE/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.38+PM.png" width="270" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are dramatic like me. </strong> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yikes! </span> But I know you will use that contagious passion to move mountains someday. I want nothing more than for you to live your life passionately. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3sAZU7etUZKaFcMSk7iNlNU5yIJTL6l764Fu-PTbbrKG6hn5zIOhDNAQCe8T-QiZf5-Ivi_YRjIxknJQxHN2KBohZ4NEAfHkcD4MOix5u7R3_vrvIeJotFZkoakiVyQJTBirt2sUlgZF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3sAZU7etUZKaFcMSk7iNlNU5yIJTL6l764Fu-PTbbrKG6hn5zIOhDNAQCe8T-QiZf5-Ivi_YRjIxknJQxHN2KBohZ4NEAfHkcD4MOix5u7R3_vrvIeJotFZkoakiVyQJTBirt2sUlgZF/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-11+at+10.36.59+AM.png" width="289" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You sing and dance like no one is watching. </strong> You are my ham. Don’t let go of that confidence. Always be yourself. <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">You</span> are awesome.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You are in a hurry to do everything your brother does (but in your own way, of course).</strong> I don’t want to hold you back but I must admit I am not in a hurry for you to grow up any more. I wanted your older brother to hit every milestone as soon as possible. Perhaps I felt I had something to prove as a new mom. But with you it’s quite the opposite. You are in a hurry and I want you to slow down. I want to freeze time.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Moving to a big boy bed can wait just a little bit longer, can’t it? (I’m not ready to take you out of that crib for the last time.)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know you want to use the potty like your brother. But can we wait just one more month? (Without diapers around, I have to accept there is no longer a baby in this house.)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know you want to do everything yourself. (But this mommy still wants to help you.)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please be patient with me<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (</span>for at least one more day<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">) </span>as I let go of the baby you once were and help you continue to grow into the incredible little man you are becoming.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am so proud of the unique little individual I see growing right before my eyes. But there is no doubt you will be mama’s baby boy for the rest of your life.</span><br /><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I love you.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje963MjDClcYwWk7K94SsOwN48io9RsjUC2SHvywOW1A2c3dsCt1X4OGGvu5KAYlABQDBj0llnQijqk4F_Ytvbn6zaR3rCXkq5ZAwnKA4qOXvBpr8NOZ_ucwDQsMIbUjF1LTJAPOAEWFfS/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje963MjDClcYwWk7K94SsOwN48io9RsjUC2SHvywOW1A2c3dsCt1X4OGGvu5KAYlABQDBj0llnQijqk4F_Ytvbn6zaR3rCXkq5ZAwnKA4qOXvBpr8NOZ_ucwDQsMIbUjF1LTJAPOAEWFfS/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.10+PM.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your biggest fan,</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Mommy</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "give you glory"; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic;">"Today </span><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Give You Glory'; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">you</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "give you glory"; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic;"> are </span><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Give You Glory'; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">you</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "give you glory"; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic;">. That is truer than true. There is no one alive that is </span><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Give You Glory'; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">youer</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "give you glory"; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic;"> than </span><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Give You Glory'; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">you</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "give you glory"; font-size: 32px; font-style: italic;">!" ~Dr. Seuss</span></span></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-24012335469803211762015-08-15T10:58:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:52:06.434-07:00Dreaming of Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj8W7ksUk1VzN4g5-UJva3SfQdpZ8CSpkDwiLfvIgwFdE6ZQI6Q_ydHyhxQaRz6xSbtHhzZsen6Agt7QlaTqB2EO_lIfBnpbMHW5eMgxRBEYtls9OEgkzYbYk9B6fpNOcrUj-g9BGzOqh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj8W7ksUk1VzN4g5-UJva3SfQdpZ8CSpkDwiLfvIgwFdE6ZQI6Q_ydHyhxQaRz6xSbtHhzZsen6Agt7QlaTqB2EO_lIfBnpbMHW5eMgxRBEYtls9OEgkzYbYk9B6fpNOcrUj-g9BGzOqh/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.25.23+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I’m flying! And I’m wearing a beautiful, sparkling, Elsa dress. I feel so freeeeeeeee and on top of the wooooorld. I’m in full control of my flight and, wow, does flying feel AMAAAAAAAZING.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Until… wait… who is screaming down below? Is that Grant?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
POOF! And I’m awake. My two year old is yelling and ready to come out of his crib for the day. My beautiful dress is gone. It’s 6:23am. I have bed head and a t-shirt & shorts that don’t even match. But today I’m grabbing my glasses off my side table and leaping out of my bed and into his room feeling so refreshed after my awesome dream! Today is going to be a good day!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I hurried down to the kitchen with my little dude to tell my hubby about my flying experience before he left for work. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You have to hear this. I had a flying dream. Do you know what this means?!? </em> He appeased me with a little excitement but I know in these moments he thinks I’m a little nutty. And, well, he is probably right. But I fully own my nuttiness.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Anywhoozer, have you ever had one of those dreams where you are flying? The kind where you don’t want them to end but when you wake you feel like you are on top of the world?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I have a little secret obsession with dreams. For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated with my dreams. I have dream dictionaries that I keep in my bedroom and I used to even write them down sometimes in the middle of the night so I could remember my dreams in the morning and try to figure out what they meant. Although those dirty pregnancies dreams sort of threw me for a loop so I decided to just write those off as crazy pregger hormones and not look back. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yikes!</em></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I didn’t have to look this dream up in my book because I already knew exactly what it meant! I’ve already read a great deal about flying dreams. They are the ones we long for. The ones we want to drive towards. The reason I’m so thrilled about last nights dream is because flying dreams are an exhilarating and liberating experience. When you are easily flying through the air, it often suggests you have risen above something and have gained a new and different perspective. This is absolutely true in my life right now. And as corny as this sounds, I think I was wearing the Elsa dress! I just recently saw a Frozen show with my kids and during the show I was in deep thought about the meaning behind Frozen. Sisterly love, I know, its very sweet. I love my own sisters enough to unfreeze them. But the message that I gravitate towards is Elsa choosing to be herself and take control of her life the way she wants to.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The most recent dreams I remember prior to last night were of spreadsheets with rows and rows of numbers flashing before me. I couldn’t make them stop to find the information I was looking for. As a marketer a big portion of my job was to review data and constantly try to increase performance. While I really enjoyed this part of my job, it often found its way into my dreams. And I think the fact that I couldn’t make the rows stop so I could focus was representative of a lack of control and focus I’d been feeling in my life. And perhaps also my relentless struggle to make sense of quitting my job in spreadsheet after spreadsheet of budget scenarios.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There’s nothing sexy about my life right now. I’m just an average mom sitting in her PJ’s at She’s Winning headquarters (aka the end of my couch closest to the outlet). I have terrible bedhead and a little boy with a poopy diaper currently stalking me. I can promise you I have just as many problems and obstacles to overcome as the next person. My life is not a fairytale but I feel exhilarated because I’m living my life exactly the way I want to and learning to enjoy the little things. I see my life from a new perspective with new ideas on what success is for me. I made choices for myself and didn’t let money or any other false sense of happiness drive my life for me. And so I earned myself a flying dream in my sparkling Elsa dress!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What if flying dreams are a true indicator of our own success? If you are feeling stuck in a situation that isn’t right for you, maybe its time to <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">let it go</em>. And make new choices that exhilarate you. What would make YOU soar?!?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Food for thought while I tend to that poopy diaper. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s getting stinky in here.</em></div>
<div class="OB_default" id="outbrain_widget_0" style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="div-wrapper" id="outbrain_container_0_rec" style="border: none; clear: both; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: middle;">
<div class="voterDiv" id="OutbrainVoterDiv_0_rec" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="outbrainGlobalClass" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-44197770212054033942015-08-11T11:06:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:48:24.603-07:00SAHM Week 1: The Good, The Bad & The Savings<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8VMWIYmZYITn4Nll6p67lPb9Awwj6Mbd17zlBrMieIsoWcy4P9qjhQT_ibb_Ym9Sp-1F7daore2XAoOTkzkAjg4or1WAlr_ES5B29zLFsARxYbboJcUFxbBFYf4vRi-ZTnPZrjlTlSIZ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.16.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8VMWIYmZYITn4Nll6p67lPb9Awwj6Mbd17zlBrMieIsoWcy4P9qjhQT_ibb_Ym9Sp-1F7daore2XAoOTkzkAjg4or1WAlr_ES5B29zLFsARxYbboJcUFxbBFYf4vRi-ZTnPZrjlTlSIZ/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+3.16.35+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you for the many messages and responses to my <a href="http://www.sheswinning.com/quit-job-stay-at-home-mom/" style="border: 0px; color: #e1122a; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">post about quitting my job</a>. I’ve received a lot of questions on what sacrifices and changes I am making with this transition. I’ve really enjoyed chatting with so many lovely gals considering the same type of move and I hope to be as transparent as I can with this series “The Good, The Bad & The Savings.”</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One week in and I am still alive! It’s obviously way to early for me to pass judgment on this new lifestyle, good or bad, but I do have a lot to share from my first week at home.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
<h3 style="color: #404040;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE SAVINGS</span></strong></h3>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am about 10x less stressed. </strong> I love the much slower pace of my days, especially our mornings. Don’t get me wrong, my little guys still wake me up at the crack of dawn but that part was always just fine. The easier part is knowing that I don’t have to rush them out the door and still be ready for my day at work. I enjoy having breakfast together, watching a few cartoons and then starting our first activity of the day at our own pace. And without work responsibilities, I have so much more mental capacity to focus on my little dudes, my husband and household responsibilities. And making dinner is so much easier now. I can start thinking about it earlier in the day and even start chopping or whatever prep needs to be done when the boys are occupied in play or napping. While I still have heavy shoulders, as every mom does, I feel some weight has been lifted. Ahhhh…..</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I feel so much more alive!</strong> After spending years sitting at a desk with my head buried in my computer, it feels so good to spend the majority of my days on my feet being active… away from the screen, emails and conference calls. My very active boys make sure that I barely sit down and I also eat better because I make all of my food at home. There is no doubt this is a much healthier lifestyle.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I LOVE the extra snuggle time.</strong> My two year old and all of his cuteness runs up to me multiple times a day saying “Mommy, Mommy” and gives me, what we refer to in our house as, an “EXTREME hug.” And my three year old keeps saying “No school! Just Mommy, Rant (AKA Grant) and Dean!” They both stay right by my side the majority of the days. It’s almost as though they don’t yet believe or understand that I will be with them almost all day, every day for the unforeseeable future.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My younger son got sick this week. </strong> Of course getting sick is not a “good” thing. However, looking through a glass-half-full lens, this is the first time I’ve been up with him in the middle of the night without panicking about what this meant for work the next day. It has always been stressful to figure out if my husband or I would call in. What meetings would we miss? What would our co-workers think when we call in yet again? But this time I was able to just calmly rock my little love in the rocking chair at 2am knowing I had nowhere else to be but right there taking care of him. And that felt good.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<h3>
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE BAD </span></strong></h3>
<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s SO hot right now!</strong> We live in AZ so our outdoor time is pretty limited right now and my boys are literally bouncing off the walls… and the furniture… and well, anything they can find to bounce off of. There are a lot of free indoor options but with my little one sick, we were not able to take advantage this week. I’m looking forward to getting out a little more next week.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The fights. OMG, the fights. </strong> As typical little ones, of the hundreds of toys we have, the boys always want to play with the SAME ONE! This drives me absolutely bonkers! I’m going to need a shot of patience for this one.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I still sport ponytails ALL THE TIME.</strong> It’s no surprise that being home doesn’t change the fact that it is very challenging to get ready with two little boys running around. <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stop jumping on my bed. Don’t hit your brother with that hanger. Hey, give me my deodorant back! </em>And so I’ve resorted to ponytails and sometimes even a hat on top of the ponytail. I WILL start doing my hair again one of these days!</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The closeness is generally great but slightly claustrophobic at times.</strong> Times like when I want to take a shower or go to the bathroom or make a phone call. I had to give myself a few timeouts this week to take a few deep breaths but with the change in houses I no longer have a walk-in pantry that used to be my go-to spot. I guess it’s time to find a new mommy time out place (preferably with an area to hide my sanity chocolate)…</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m exhausted.</strong> Remember how I said I rarely sit down now? While this is a good thing, it’s also been challenging. Someone should have told me I would need to train for this after sitting at a desk for so long. I’ve always been a casual runner but keeping up with kids all day long is quite the workout! I have been passing out the second my head hits the pillow. These boys are going to whip me into shape in no time!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE SAVINGS</span></span></h3>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The savings started well before I actually quit my job. Over the last year, as I had been preparing for this transition, I started putting more and more of my checks in savings over the year to get used to less funds in our checking account. By the last few months of my job I had 50% of my checks going to savings. I recommend this to anyone wanting to make this type of change. Not only did this help us to slowly alter our lifestyle, but it also gave us some nice cushion in our accounts.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a few big ways (<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">over $3k/mo!)</strong> we are saving monthly right away:</span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$1700/mo</strong> – While our childcare costs fluctuated over the last few years with different situations, they averaged ~$1700/mo and in an instant, they are gone!</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$575/mo </strong>– My husband drives an electric car to work. This is not new. He has been doing this for about 2 years. But I think this is worth mentioning since it is one of the things that makes our lifestyle more affordable. Cars can make a huge dent in your monthly expenses if you let them. About 2 years ago he made the tough decision to trade in his gas guzzling truck for a fully electric Nissan Leaf. The truck payment was $550/month + $400/mo in gas down to $60/mo for electricity + $315/mo for the payment. And the bonus is that he gets to drive in the HOV lane which gets him home faster to spend time with the boys! It’s also great for the environment – yahoooo!</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$500/mo</strong> – I’m committed to making meals and eating at home now. We’ve only budgeted $100/mo for eating out now as opposed to the $600+ we used to spend. (I spent ~$25/week grabbing breakfast or lunch on-the-go or at work. As a family we ate out ~3x/week averaging ~$40 each time.) It’s embarrassing, but true.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$300/mo</strong> – We moved 2 days after my last day of work. We had been renting a larger, higher end home up the street from the house we own. Even with the rent income we were paying $300 extra per month to live there, which was not worth it. The house we own is a great affordable home with a very nice backyard for the boys. My son told me at least 50 times this week that he likes this house so much better. Apparently kids could care less about bigger and higher end finishes. It’s a great reminder that a lot of the “stuff” we, as adults, get caught up in doesn’t really matter. He even likes his room better in this house and it is actually smaller.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$150/mo</strong> – We gave up cable. So far I don’t miss it at all. I only watched TV once this week and I watched a documentary on Netflix. We do still have plenty of entertainment available to us through our Amazon Prime acct and Netflix. We pay $4/mo for Netflix by sharing the account with a family member. We are also weighing some other options right now like Sling TV and\or purchasing an antenna for our house. More to come on that!</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are just some of the big ways we’ve started saving with our new budget. There are a lot of other smaller ways (that add up!) that I’m working on and will share after my first full month at home.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, things are going really well. My family is happy. I’m happy. Life is good.</span></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-53567671487921121472015-07-15T10:49:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:58:06.325-07:00An Emotional Journey to Becoming a SAHM<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_ltpsLdYJDln9MCJBG1JrC6H8ernT_-aTN3A-VTMu2Xu2X2y1loP1n4DffpXkj-d13g5DfAwENQgfn4hbE5ZCB1SncT7ebKSZzC5J0b2mbBg5xK_KmzrsLqvBzJmxFjEwVxOH4TFmczM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.26.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_ltpsLdYJDln9MCJBG1JrC6H8ernT_-aTN3A-VTMu2Xu2X2y1loP1n4DffpXkj-d13g5DfAwENQgfn4hbE5ZCB1SncT7ebKSZzC5J0b2mbBg5xK_KmzrsLqvBzJmxFjEwVxOH4TFmczM/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.26.04+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I did it. I hit “send.” There it is in black and white in my sent box. I’ve been planning for this. I’ve confidently, verbally communicated it to all of the right people over the last two months. But today, as I’m two weeks out from becoming a stay at home Mom, I had to submit my formal resignation saying farewell to my corporate life. While I know this is the right move for me at this point in my life, seeing it in black and white has set off a roller coaster of emotions:</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m grieving.</strong> I think I’m grieving the loss of a previous version of myself. Perhaps it is the childless version that felt so passionate about her work. It was the me that always felt like I had it all together. And the me that viewed “success” as raises and moving up the ladder at work.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m refreshed. </strong> I’m refreshed when I remind myself that the person I’m grieving was the me that hadn’t yet realized that having children would change all this. This was the me that once believed my happiness depended on my financial success.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m sad.</strong> I’m sad to leave my work family. We spend 40+ hours a week with our co-workers. And I’ve been fortunate to have some of the best in the world. The kind that could actually make stressful moments at work turn into laughs. The kind that challenged me to grow in my career. And the kind that I didn’t have to compete with because we were a team in every sense of the word.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m scared. </strong><span style="text-align: center;">I know how to be a Marketing Chick. I have NO IDEA how to be a stay at home Mom. I’m going to be with my kids 24/7 now!?! And there is no doubt these two will be the most demanding bosses I’ve ever had. I will literally be winging it and trying to learn from the many amazing Moms around me. I am not patient and yet I realize that patience is one of the number one requirements for this job. What if I lose myself in this? There’s a lot more to me than my role as a Mom. This IS scary.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m hopeful.</strong> I’m hopeful that this experience makes me a better person, a much more patient person. I’m hopeful that this time with my children will make a positive impact on them. And that they will remember it when they are older just like I remember being at home with my Mom. I’m hopeful that through blogging, I will have “a thing”, something to be passionate about (besides my little ones) that will allow me to use my online marketing skills in a new way.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m second-guessing. </strong> What if I just want to believe that I can find happiness in this new life style but its not reality? What if a month from now my career and my paycheck seem so much more important to me? What if my kids are better off with the much more qualified teachers and nanny that currently watch them?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m excited. </strong> I’m excited for this new challenge. I’m excited to spend more time with the two little boys that have filled my life with so much happiness. I’m excited to be a helper at my son’s preschool and to plan play dates with all of the wonderful families around us. I’m excited to not rush out the door in the morning and storm in after a long day at work at night. I’m excited to have more bandwidth to give my kids a little more of me.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m exhausted. </strong> Thinking about this big life change is mentally exhausting. I feel like I could sleep for days just recovering from everything that is going on inside my head. But obviously that is not an option.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m realistic. </strong><span style="text-align: center;"> This isn’t the end of my career. This is just a break and I have plenty of time to go back to working life in the future.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m grateful. </strong> I’m grateful that my boys have given me a new view on my life and what I want out of it. I’m grateful that my hubby can support our family and is willing to take this heavy burden on himself. There is no doubt that is a lot of weight to carry on one person’s shoulders.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m in good company. </strong> There are SO many Moms that have made this same very tough decision. And I know a lot them dealt with and continue to deal with this roller coaster of emotions.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m watching the Family Man tonight.</strong> This is my all time favorite “feel good” movie. <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh Jack, they already do envy us.</em> (you can see my favorite two clips below) This movie gets me every time. While I realize this movie has nothing to do with being a stay at home Mom, it is such a great reminder of the importance of family over money. Its a reminder that luxury doesn’t equal happiness. And it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling about my next chapter.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I know my thoughts and emotions are all over the place. But through the mess of emotions, I know that this IS the right move. I need this. My boys need this. It’s a life experience I refuse to miss out on. And so there it is. As final as final can be. In two weeks I’ll walk out those corporate doors full of emotion and into my next chapter filled with tiny hugs. And boogers. And love. And tantrums. And simply, life.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>I’m</b> <b>happy.</b></div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277732275422186630.post-51516716158557630192015-06-30T16:27:00.000-07:002017-05-04T15:45:25.478-07:00Why is Miscarriage Taboo?<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBD48DjOFeTQVI5gLI-sBHP8td4eTOH8O7vQ2nQzX_q-28uh7r-oFAAaUx3nCyPHv11GXvknzwIilNzJf7W0UNjucP-yH-85MNZHJjxCteC82o1B_Stm0pUW_mBGJjKBPX3DYwDiiw19n/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.26.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBD48DjOFeTQVI5gLI-sBHP8td4eTOH8O7vQ2nQzX_q-28uh7r-oFAAaUx3nCyPHv11GXvknzwIilNzJf7W0UNjucP-yH-85MNZHJjxCteC82o1B_Stm0pUW_mBGJjKBPX3DYwDiiw19n/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-04-08+at+4.26.24+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
"Talk to people about it. Don't let it be taboo. It shouldn't be. It's 2011" These were the last words of advice from my Dr. on that unforgettable day 4 years ago. That day I walked into her office filled with excitement. I was going to see an ultrasound of my baby for the first time. Even though I wasn't "supposed to" yet, I had spent the last few weeks dreaming and planning. I was SO excited! Is it a boy or a girl? What will we name him or her? What will they look like? And how big will they smile? That's what Mothers do from the moment they see the two lines on the stick.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I walked out of her office feeling completely empty. I went to the lab to have my blood drawn so they could track my hormones while this heartbreaking moment played out. The nurse taking my blood asked me why I was having a miscarriage. "Did you lift something you shouldn't have?" How could a nurse be so uninformed that she would think this was my fault!?!? I was angry at her in the moment but I now look back and realize she just didn't know better. After all, this topic is off limits for some very strange reason. The less people discuss, the less likely people will understand and Mothers will continue to feel alone.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
The next day at work I did something brave, I followed my Doctor's advice. I asked my boss to meet with me. I told her what was happening. Tears and all. I didn't have to. She didn't ever have to know. But I was not going to pretend this wasn't happening to me. There was no reason to hide this. Something major was happening in my life. I was grieving and I needed support and understanding. And I got it. In fact, my boss was extremely empathetic and I will always have more respect for her because of that.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
This is just one story. Approximately <strong>1 in 4 pregnancies</strong> end in miscarriage each year.* And approximately <strong>1 million</strong> <strong>pregnancies</strong> in the US end in a loss each year.* And yet it is still the untouched topic. With any other loss we gather together and support our loved ones. Why is that not the expectation here? Why are women expected to keep this loss to themselves? No one should have to grieve this loss in silence.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
I challenge you to change the way we look at this topic:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>Be sensitive.</strong> If your pregnancy came easy to you, keep in mind ~25% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. It's highly likely that when you are complaining about your morning sickness or your backaches, a woman who has experienced this can hear you. And she is envious of your morning sickness and your backaches.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>Listen. </strong>If someone you know has experienced this. Its part of their journey. Let them share it with you. Don't pass judgement. Don't try to fix it, you can't. Just be a shoulder to cry on.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<strong>Tell your story.</strong> If you have a story to share, let me start by saying I'm so sorry. Please don't feel like you can't talk about it. You can. Feel empowered to take the taboo out of this!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
Clearly, having a miscarriage is not a moment in my life that I will ever label as "winning". But right now as I share a heartbreak I will never forget, I'm refusing to let my story be taboo. And in this small way, I believe I'm winning.</div>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
There is no greater agony than carrying an untold story inside of you. ~Maya Angelou</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
*source http://www.hopexchange.com/Statistics.htm</div>
Sue Piercehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820742041890342934noreply@blogger.com