Bewitched.....

It’s a funny thing, growing up. Everyone seems to do it so differently yet we all really end up in the same place. I always thought that I had to strive to find this perfection in life. I remember taking probably at least 10 pregnancy tests before the idea of actually being pregnant stuck in my head. I was terrified. It wasn’t the plan; it wasn’t the way things were supposed to happen. You see, I had a very specific plan and it was very quickly falling off course. I remember spending 2 hours sitting in the bathtub in udder panic. I wasn’t married and I was in the midst of a relationship that was probably not the healthiest and my gut could tell. I grew up wanting to have children but what was I going to do? How could I manage this? At the time I was still working full time and trying to finish a Masters degree program. All I could see was my life crumbling and all of my parent’s mistakes coming forward. For years I ran my mouth about how important it was to me to not have children until I was established in a good career, married and could support a kid in every way they needed.

            My whole life, the one thing I thought I would be good at was being a parent. It was also, the one thing that terrified me the most and honestly still does. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect? It’s impossible. I don’t know about everyone else, but I grew up a little “old school”. My mother had an interesting job, which often kept her up late hours and that was really when I got to spend the most time with her. I snuck out in the middle of the night when she was still awake to cuddle up in down comforters with her watching old movies and TV shows. My favorites including anything with Audrey Hepburn, Bewitched, I Love Lucy and the Brady Bunch. Who doesn’t love TV Land and Nick and Nite. Still to this day I will choose those over any other show or movie.  

            The only problem here is that my “home life” didn’t replicate that of a so – called normal life style. I quickly took to television and unrealistic ideals to perfect my idea of what my future life should be. Silly. Yes. But, true nonetheless. It wasn’t until I moved in with Mia’s father and started to begin my own family that I realized how much I internalized these shows. Actually, if we get technical it wasn’t until I moved out and looked back at the wreckage we both made that I realized this to be truthful. Since my own home life was anything but average or consistent, these unrealistic shows became my teachers. I will not hold myself fully responsible for what happened in my relationship but I did have a lot to do with it. I lived in chaos so much of my life that now I try to perfect and control things to a fault. You’re probably thinking “yah she’s joking” but your wrong. I am the one who literally spent 45 minutes trying to get my bed made to perfection just so I could go to bed.  I expected everything to be perfect and work together like clock work so one argument, one cigarette smoked, or the dishes left in the sink at night was more than I could handle. Thankfully, having Mia completely changed this or at least mostly. I still struggle with that control freak instinct but she somehow instantly calms me.

            The point of my long and ridiculous rant however, is we all have this perfect idea of what our life, family, and career is suppose to look like but the truth is everyone’s life and dreams are far from two of the same.  In general society we spend so much time judging others, watching TV, listening to what things “should” look like as decided by so called experts that we forget that we are all just human. Its okay if you come from a broken home, if the dishes aren’t done or sometimes your 70-year-old mother wakes you up in the middle of the night. All these things and more really are what make us unique, curious and strong individuals. I need to spend less time trying to live up to an unrealistic dream and more time cherishing what I have. We all need to stop trying to put up a perfect picture of what should be and just accept what is and love our lives and ourselves. Hiding who we really are only continues a revolving circle of little white lies. I know that I want my daughter to be proud of her life, her family and her dreams regardless of what happens. My current goal is working on letting go of that control and that picture perfect scene I think I need to have. I accept my life for what it is, I will take one day at a time and I will love everything in between.

A few of my favorite things....

If you are becoming a mommy or already are, I am sure you are well aware of the sprint to collect things for your bundle or bundles of joy. I remember very clearly being on that path.....more stressful than enjoyable for me. However, once Mia arrived I was quite fortunate to have acquired a great deal to prepare for Mia, and as a single mom it was a huge blessing. I thought that I would share some of my favorite tips and favorite items for anyone it might help. First of all...baby showers can be expensive, time consuming and stressful on the hosts part, but completely worth it! I want to stress that for me the joy in my baby showers was getting to celebrate my daughter. I was so happy to have such a wonderful miracle that I wanted to celebrate and share that joy with anyone and everyone I could. If you haven't had a shower yet don't forget that. It is your day to enjoy what life has blessed you with and don't let anyone step in the way of that. Lucky as I am, I had two showers. One was for close friends and the other strictly family (I have a huge family so it was needed).
Here are my top 5 ways to reduce costs and stock up:

1. Diaper Raffle - this is a must. I was able to stock up on enough diapers and wipes for Mia until she was 6 months old!!

2. Decorations - make your own. My cousin hand made decorations and invitations that were beyond beautiful and much more meaningful than costly banners.

3. Food - Potluck....this is not an idea I did but would have in retrospect, as it greatly cuts costs and it  puts less on the hostess.

4. Registry - Make sure you put on items that you will NEED. You will get tons of cute outfits regardless of whats on your registry so think ahead.

5. Hand me downs - I obtained quite a few larger items from my best friend which was absolutely amazing. They grow so fast buying brand new is just not worth it. 

I still have a stock of baby shampoo and lotion for Mia that should last me quite a while. As she is growing though, I am quickly learning new ways to lower costs and keep up with all her changing needs. One thing that I do continuously is watch Craigslist and baby swap sites on Facebook for clothes, toys and other items that Mia needs or can use. I purchased her walker which was almost brand new for only 20 bucks. It was a good thing too because she barely used it and now would rather crawl under it than walk with it. Not  to mention, shes a walking fool these days. Babies are expensive, we have all been told that I am sure a million times, but you never really understand it until it hits you smack in the face. These days we are lucky to have a million options available to help cut costs and as single parents its a must. From used items to tricks of the trade you learn to manage with what you have and you also learn not to skimp on the important things.
I spent a great deal of my pregnancy reading and I learned that some things I was just not willing to skimp on, diapers being one of them. With so many chemicals and recalls make sure that you choose wisely when it comes to your baby. Here are some of my favorites items/brands:

1. Honest Diapers - Not only are they safe but they come in adorable prints for boys and girls.
2. Honest Healing Balm - After trying multiple diaper creams, this one is the only one I will use.
3. Dr. Browns Bottles -  Cute and good for reducing gas. Smaller size worked for Mia as shes so tiny.
4. Soy Formula - I had to switch at about 7 months from breastfeeding and this was my #1 choice
5. Aden + Anais Blankets - my favorite blankets, thin breathable and super soft and cozy.

Of course some of these items I no longer use I am grateful I had them. I can't give Mia everything I want to but at least I can make sure that shes got what she needs. I have learned that I can't keep everything perfectly organic or chemical free, but I can do my best to try. Until next time.

Cherish your Time

Is it me, or is life moving just a little bit too fast these days? I remember feeling like I had all the time in the world to get things done, but these days there isn't enough time in the week. Moms everywhere tell you when your pregnant how fast things go but you never believe it until it happens. I try to cherish every moment I have with Mia which isn't exactly an easy thing to do as a single parent. I am fortunate however, that I have some flexibility in my job scheduling so that I can make some time to be with her. Although, I do make it a priority. When I was hired for my current position, the first thing I asked was about flexibility. I told them upfront I was a single parent and that I needed to be available for my child whenever she needed me. Growing up, my mother worked so much that I have rare memories of spending time with her. I taught myself how to shave my legs, to cook and numerous other things most mothers or parents should teach you. I don't hold any resentment towards her because I know that she (for the most part) was doing what she felt she needed to do to care for us.
It is already so difficult for me to watch Mia have to suffer without a father in her life, because I know first hand the pain and sorrow that it causes. She will have to understand a much different sorrow than I did because unlike her, my father did not choose to walk away from us but was taken. So as a parent, I want Mia to have everything and above all I want her to have time which seems to go by so fast these days.  I try to make sure that I spend time with her as much as I can. These are just some of the things I try to incorporate for us to make this possible....

Every night before bed, Mia gets a bottle and her blanket. We cuddle in the chair while I read to her until she falls asleep. Currently we are on : The tales of Beatrix Potter ( a childhood book of my own)

Snow days - I work from home (regardless of whether my babysitter can take her). Maybe its taking an excuse but I get my work done and I get to see her smiling bubbly face.

On the days that I have to work later in the evening, I wake up earlier and go into the office after we have breakfast, so that I can at least have one meal with her.

I put up electronics and distractions ( unless I am taking pictures of course) during bath time, reading time, night time and most sundays so I can focus only on her.

On the same note, electronics allow me to share Mia with her uncle, grandma and extended family through skype and phone calls which I am very grateful for.

I don't know if its the same for families with two parents but I know as a single parent of a gorgeous girl I can't make time slow down enough and it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos that I forget to look around at the miracle I was given. So I try to remind myself with Mia and every area of my life...to breathe and take a minute. Don't forget how lucky you are to have something so special that you were blessed with to care for, cherish, laugh with and raise. What else matters in life? At the end of the day will you look back and remember the reports that you turned in or will you remember the smile on your childs face? This isn't to say we should ignore work or slack in other areas of our lives but your only young once and memories don't wait.....paperwork, it does.