A kids curiosity is such a cool thing. Kelsey has such a thirst for knowledge. The other day, we were playing in the backyard, discussing all of the cool features of her t-ball set, when suddenly a plane flew by overhead. She immediately stopped and pointed. Then, proceeded to tell me all about this airplane. […]
As a parent, there are moments that simply take your breath away. Moments that cause you to pause. It’s the moment when your child enters the world. It’s the moment when you hear them say, “I love you” for the first time.
It’s the feeling you get when you have to box up their clothes and graduate to the next size. It’s the moment when your life flashes before your eyes and you can envision your child leaving the nest (man, that moment really hurts my heart). It’s in these moments that you sit back and watch in awe as a miracle moves about.
Ryan and I had this moment last night. We were sitting in the backyard with Kelsey when she suddenly grabbed her big umbrella and prepared “for lots of rain!” It was clear skies, but we played along with her game anyway.
She struggled to grab the oversized umbrella, but with such persistence, she set it on the table, the way she had seen us do so many times before. She instructed us (as three-year-olds do) to get under the umbrella and “get out of the rain before you get wet!”. She would then run out from under the umbrella screaming and laughing, “I’m getting wet! I’m getting rain on me!” then she would dive back under cover into our arms.
Man, this game was fun. It was fun watching her imagination soar! Even though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, to her, it was pouring rain and she was getting soaked. She laughed. We laughed. She ran – Ryan got up and ran. It was seriously one of those moments that made me pause.
This girl is going to grow up one day. Will she have memories of us playing in the backyard? Will she remember her mom and dad on their knees playing make-believe with her? I hope so. Ryan says that even if she doesn’t really remember this moment, like we do, that she will at least “have a feeling” about it. About the backyard. About this house. About us.
I’m not sure if she’ll remember this moment. In fact, I’m not sure what her earliest memory will be. But, I pray (I pray a lot) that she’ll always stay in my arms. No matter how old she gets. I hope she never grows out of playing with me. I hope she never loses her sense to dream and make-believe. I hope she always stays persistent and never lets anything – like a big bulky umbrella – stand in her way.
I wonder if this is how my mom felt about me. Gosh, as a parent, lots of questions go through your head – don’t they? I’m not sure what I’m really writing for. I think I just needed to get what I’m feeling out on paper. And who knows, maybe Kelsey will read this one day. And maybe – just maybe – she’ll remember this moment.
Here is my man dressed in a whale of an outfit, courtesy of the Executive Team at The St. Regis Monarch Beach. Mind you, this is a 12-month outfit and it fits my (almost) 4-month old perfectly.
There will come a day when Kelsey thinks her mom is a nerd. A loser. Someone who couldn’t possibly know what she is going through. But until that day comes, she’s all mine. We’re two peas in a pod, I tell you.
Two girls who love all of the same things. She challenges me to be a better person. She makes me laugh more than anyone in this world. And she is such a blessing to be around. She’s my girl, and I am so lucky to be her mother.
I love my neighbors. And apparently Kelsey loves their overgrown weeds flowers. This weekend, Kelsey (ahem, Snow White) decided she was going to frolic through their yard and pick their flowers. Hey, I think they’re kind of asking for it – just look at how many they have! In all fairness, she only took three.
I’m writing this post because I feel like I need to shout from the rooftops how lucky I am. My husband is a world-class dad. He truly is. I have met so many wives and mothers who tell me that their husband don’t help with “motherly” duties . Duties that include daily, nightly and routine […]
Things we have learned by now … Colton can scream! He is the coolest, calmest baby but when he is pissed, plug your ears. They call him “Pterodactyl” at school because his cry sounds like a giant dinosaur flying at you. It’s the loudest shriek. Ever! With lungs like his, Ryan thinks he’ll be a singer one day. Future Bieber? Time will tell.
*UPDATE: My friend, Heidi, brought to my attention that my child is in fact three months old and not four. Holy cow. Can you tell we aren’t sleeping much around here? (don’t tell him I did that).
She’s such a desert girl. Here is my little bug (who is getting so big, by the way) before we arrived at her best friend’s birthday party this weekend. And yes, I do feel like weekends are now reserved for kid birthday parties. And surprisingly, I’m okay with that.
*That hair is out of control. But so was she in the morning, so I let that one slide.
Ashley Richardson is someone I admire for many reasons. She’s smart, beautiful, loves God, owns her own event planning business and seems to have it all figured out. I would say, Ashley is a Magnificent Mom.
As a new mommy to a beautiful baby boy – and owner of the premier wedding planning company, Ashley Gain Weddings & Events, I just had to ask, “Do you have any advice for working moms?” She does and she was kind enough to share them with me. Here’s what Ashley has to say.
Let me start by saying I have yet to master the whole “working mom” balance and I don’t believe I ever will. I’m not a family counselor, not a doctor, not a pastor. I don’t have the right answers to everything but I do know this … I am a mom. A working mom. A business owning working mom.
Most days are filled with successes and triumphs while the others aren’t. It would be completely unrealistic for me to say that if you follow my points of advice below you will become a master of leading the life as a working mommy. My hope is that it makes you feel “normal”, that no two moms are alike and there is never going to be a one-size-fits-all when it comes to parenting.
Malance:: Mommy Balance. Start everyday by writing out the top 10 things you want to get accomplished, both personally and professionally. I do it everyday. This helps you stay focused on that day’s “action” items and pulls you back in when the chaos of life starts spinning. My personal list rarely changes. It starts a little something like this::
1) Alone time with God
2) Alone time with Brad (my ah-maze-ing hubby)
3) Play time with Roman without distractions
4) Work Out (even if it is for 10 mins)
5) Alone time for myself (again, even if it is for 10 mins)
“I’m sorry Honey, what did you say?”:: It’s 8:30 at night. The little ones are in bed. You put on your pajamas, grab a glass of wine and sit on the couch. Along comes the iPad or iPhone. Out of habit you check your email, Facebook, Instagram or whichever social media app.
Your husband asks “How was your day?” and being so tuned out you didn’t even hear what he said. 5 minutes later you turn “I’m sorry honey, what did you say?” Due to the overwhelming amount of times that this was me I started a new rule that NO electronics came with us to the couch or bed. We don’t get time together like we used to so when we do we need to be focused on each other. Period.
God First, Husband Second, Baby Third:: Starting with a moral foundation assures everything else will fall into place no matter what. With God as my go-to I get to enjoy pouring into my husband. When he and I are happy it reflects into nearly every single thing I do, including our precious little boy Roman. When Roman is happy, mommy is happy, which makes dad happy and we ALL thank God!
You are not the only one who doesn’t have your $hit together:: I know what you are thinking “She mentions God in one paragraph and in the next she is cursing.” YEP. Sure did (well technically it’s a $ not an S). For this I need your attention.
EVERY MOM IS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. Staying at home, going to work full-time or part-time, having 2 kids, or 6 kids, volunteering or getting paid. IT DOES NOT MATTER. WHATEVER YOU DO IS HARDER BECAUSE YOU HAVE KIDDOS.
So don’t judge someone doing it different from you. Instead support, encourage, share your heart and admit your struggles because you just might make a new mommy friend or affirm a woman going through the same thing. This is tough work and it’s okay to admit it!
Dump the Mom Guilt:: I mean honestly. I get it. Your CEO is in town and your mom comes in this weekend so you had to drag little Johnnie to the store today instead of playing with him at home. You are running just to keep up. Do you know what kids need the most? Love, security and affirmation.
Quit beating yourself up because you didn’t have the time to sit on the floor for 16 hours playing with blocks and never turning on the TV. Life keeps going and you don’t have to feel guilty about it. For heaven’s sake take that guilt and turn it into extra hugs for your little one.
I am Still Ashley:: One of the reasons I work is because of how I want to raise my children. Let me preface:: I believe the most important job that God ever gave a woman was being a mom. Hands down. They are the priority. It is between you and God on how you raise your children.
For me personally, I have a TON of energy. So much that I can’t even watch a movie without having a pile of laundry to my left and my monthly crafting project to my right. I HAVE to have outlets to release it. Thus, I work and it makes me so happy (remember Happy Mommy, Happy Baby). Staying at home is not the right decision for me but I support my friends who quit their jobs to love on their cuddle bugs. And that is OKAY!
Show and Tell:: You know that feeling when someone tells you your little one is “so beautiful”. Your heart feels so full and you just can’t help but smile. It’s almost embarrassing because you want to just say “thank you” but your smile says, “I know”. Don’t be afraid to let the love of your family show, in and out of the work place.
Fill your desk up with pictures. Ask your nanny to send you photo updates of your little one throughout the day. Make it a point to let the people who work around you know that your family is number one.
