Prioritize



Source: moneysavingmom.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I don't know how it is for other mothers, but for me, I have a hard time accepting the fact that I'm not superwoman.. yet. =)  I get so frustrated when I need to take a break because my body is still healing.  I wish I could just "shake it off" and run the marathon I feel like I can, but nope.  I still have to take breaks.  I feel like such an old person.  No offense to the older generation! =)

I get up around 7:00 a.m. and feed Zoe breakfast.  While she's eating I drink my coffee and either read my morning devotions or hop on skype with my mom so she can say hello to Zoe and Max before we all start our day.

When Zoe is done eating I get her and Max ready for the day.  Diaper changes, put on day clothes, you know the drill.  It seems like by the time everyone (including myself) is ready for the day, Zoe and Max are exhausted and take a morning nap.  How nice for them, huh?  I know everyone will say I SHOULD take a nap as well, but nap times are the best time for me to get work done.  So I take that time to fill out my permits.

When Zoe wakes up I get her lunch ready and then back to work.  After lunch is when it gets fun.  I try to work while keeping Zoe entertained with constant reruns of Veggie Tales when all she really wants to do is crawl into the bathroom and unroll all the toilet paper (I REALLY need to get a gate!).  By the time 7:00 p.m. rolls around I realize Paul will be home any minute so I run around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to figure out what to do for dinner.

After dinner is when I try and get the house looking decent.  That is unless Paul comes home with a movie, and then I want to spend quality time with my family till the kids go to bed.

I don't know.  I'll figure something out. =)

Oh, and when I do feel well enough, I totally want to lose my baby fat!!  I'm thinking zumba or something fun like that.

Workin' Momma

It looks like I am starting a new chapter in my life.  Something I know I will do well at, but at the same time I feel so intimidated by it..  I got a job.  Kind of.

I applied for a freelance writing position through Suite 101 last night.  This morning I checked my email, and wouldn't you know it, they already contacted me saying I had been accepted.  So in between Story Time and baking cookies for our local church's cookie exchange I have been reading all of their tutorials to make sure I'm ready to start writing articles.

Any little help money-wise will be much appreciated around here -- though this job will not make us millionaires by any means!  It won't earn much in the beginning, but after awhile it may pay off.  Either way, I think it will be fun to write articles!

I love to write about all kinds of things (obviously) so we'll see how well I do.  Wish my luck!

I'm also curious to see how well I do while taking care of a baby.  At first I'll do most of my articles at my MIL's house since she has internet, but eventually I will be on my own..

I CAN DO IT!  I AM WOMAN!  HEAR ME ROAR!

Zoe is getting so much better at hanging out on the floor with her toys so I'm sure she'll do just fine.  I'll take breaks to feed her or put her down for a nap and then back to writing.  I can do this!  It should be fun.

Oh, I'm baking cow pies for the cookie exchange tonight!  Doesn't that sound appetizing?  When they're done I'll have to take a picture.  I think they're going to turn out pretty yummy.  I may have just found a new secret recipe..

Let me explain.. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

In case anyone is interested, I did tidy my house, I did wrap all of the presents, and I did watch one more Christmas movie before Christmas was officially over.  So there you go. :)

Also, Paul and I have come to a decision.  It was a hard pill to swallow for some, but we decided to bring the pacifier back.  Here's our proof.

::Sigh::

Just for the record, Paul and I have nothing against the pacifier.  The reason why we took away in the first place was because we spent more time keeping it in her mouth than she did herself.  I spent hours, literally, keeping it in her mouth during the night because she would accidentally spit it out and want it leaving us both exhausted and slightly crabby.

It didn't take long and she forgot about it, but lately something else took it's place.  She started doing something that I absolutely despised.  She became a thumb sucker.  At first I thought she was simply chewing on her hands, but yesterday Paul and I realized that she deliberately puts her thumb in her mouth.  We counted, and she did it 25 times.. in a row.

So we brought the pacifier back.  I refuse to have a thumb sucker.  It's unsanitary and just plain gross.  You can throw a pacifier away.. not a thumb.

On to more exciting news..  Christmas was absolutely lovely!  It was Zoe's first Christmas and I think she loved it!  Here are some pictures.. mostly of Zoe.

We hardly ever have any pictures of just us anymore so I had Paul take a quick snapshot on Christmas Eve.  This is us in a nutshell, don't you think?  Paul looking like his Uncle Steve and me laughing at how crazy he is.  I absolutely love this man!

Here is Zoe, Christmas morning, trying out one of her gifts from Mommy and Daddy.  He first tea set!  I don't know who loves it more -- Mommy or Zoe.  The teapot sings catchy tunes.  I can see Zoe in the future.  I'm sure she'll memorize those songs and sing away pouring tea for her stuffed animals.

Here is Zoe with her stocking from Santa Claus.  I absolutely love this picture!  She is such a smilie kid.  She was so interested in everything that was going on.  Her arms and legs were constantly going because she was so excited!  She got her first cans of baby food, and we let her try pears for the first time.  It was pretty hilarious!  It gave her the heebie jeebies every time she took a bite.  I have a feeling she will be like her dad and enjoy sour things because even though every bite gave her the willies, she kept accepting bites.

Here is Zoe opening a Christmas gift.  Like I said before, she was so excited!  She did such a good job ripping the paper -- for a 5 month old.  She also showed interest in all of her gifts.  I think she loves all of them!  I'm so glad.

Later Christmas night Zoe and I had our first tea party.  She really showed interest and watched my every movement.  It made me so happy to watch her "play" the best she could.

In this picture right here I see an addiction to caffeine just like her mom. :)  Can you see it?  I wonder who will break first and give her a sip of their coffee.  Me?  One of the Grams?  I remember my great grandmother sneaking me some sips of her coffee.  My aunt did as well!  I thank them for my addiction. :)

Here's the last picture for tonight.  The cute little teapot!  Did I mention that I love her toys?  We need to buy her a toy box now.  She has plenty of toys now so it's time.  ::squeal::  Who knew that buying a toy box would be so exciting?!

So there you go!  Zoe's first Christmas was a lot of fun -- for all of us!  I know that Christmases are going to be amazing here on out thanks to having children.  It's so much fun to watch their excitement.

Well, Christmas is over and the new year is just around the corner.  It's time to take down the decorations and start making a list of new resolutions.

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

I have decided to make changes in my life, but I am not waiting till the new year to start!  I decided to register at MyFitnessPal and start keeping track of my calorie intake, my workouts, etc.  Of course as soon as I decide to change my eating habits I am constantly hungry -- but don't worry!  I have written down everything I've eaten/drank today and I'm doing well.  I even burned some calories by cleaning vigorously.  Bonus!

As soon as the dreaded snow is melted away it's back to walking.  Oh, now that I have an iPod (thank you honey!) I would like to try and run.  Paul was telling me that in order to start I need to jog until I feel tired and then walk for awhile.. till I have energy again and then pick up jogging.  I think I can do it!  I want to..

There is so much more I could write about, but I'm worried I'm boring my fans.  So I'll leave off here. :)  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Feedback

I got two responses from my previous post.  Here are what the ladies said about my question -- How do you mothers do it?!?!

-- As they get a little older it does get a little better. T is way better at playing on his own. Which gives me some free time. For the house part that is killing me also. With just now staying in our house full time it is hard to keep clean. I just go threw and pick it up 30 mins before hubby gets home. He never knows=) 

-- Your not alone. I'm a HUGE procrastinater!!! I'm trying SUPER hard for N's sake to change. At least in the cleaning department....haha... I think I have ton pretty good the last month or so. Hubs has said so too!!!! ;) As far as reading....I wonder the same thing! I see all of my sister's good books that I want to borrow, but I know I wouldn't be able to give it back for FOREVER! =D 

Thank you for the feedback!  It's nice to know I'm not alone.  And just so you know, I am getting better!  I wrote myself a to-do list of things to do everyday; make the bed, wash the dishes, etc.  Things we all know need done, but seeing them written down help make them more important.  Also, I write up to-do lists for Monday -- Friday of extras; clean the bathroom on Tuesdays, vacuum on Fridays, etc.  It seems to help some.  Like I said, I'm getting better.

It helps that Zoe is getting older and plays with her toys while I run around.  She is trying to roll over, too, which keeps her busy.  She's growing up so fast!

New Question of the Day -- How old was your baby when he/she rolled over for the first time?

How do you do it?!

Yesterday Paul and I went on a "date" before church and we got to talking..  We talked about who we are; Paul is very laid back yet at the same time, when he does get in the mood, he is like his dad and can go-go-go and get a bunch of projects done in a matter of hours.  He is a very hard worker -- it shows with how well he does in school and at his job!

What about me?  What am I like?

Paul says that my mind is constantly going.  I look at a project -- like my bathroom -- and think of what I could use to organize my space and how to make it look it's best!  I go out and buy organizer bins, different containers to hold hair clips or cotton balls in and get super stoked!  I get home and.. well, my items stay in the Walmart bag for a week.  Or two.

Basically I'm constantly thinking about what I can do, find new recipes, try my hand at crafting and then never finish it.  I'm a procrastinator.  Plain and simple.

So my question of the day is this -- HOW DO YOU MOTHERS DO IT??

How do you keep a clean house, read a book, pick up a crafting hobby, while being a mother?  Is it really possible?  When did it ::click:: with you and you became super mom?  Hmm?

Leave your answers in a comment below ::OR:: email me by clicking HERE!  If you have an interesting answer, I'll post it here ::you will maintain anonymous:: and add my own commentary.

Merry Christmas!