Look At This Madness

Being a mom has made me... more confident stronger want to live a healthy lifestyle feel inspired laugh cry realize how far I have come realize how far I have to go struggle at times forget what sleep was a baby person more caring willing to sacrifice feel more complete than I knew was possible forget about me at times love baby giggles more than anything more understanding more considerate want to exercise want to live my best life happy a better person.

I googled the word 'happiness' and the example sentence was, "She struggled to find happiness in her life." At first it gave me a chuckle but the more I thought about it, this is actually kind of sad. Okay Google, why would you choose a depressing sentence to express a joyful word? Shouldn't it say something like, "She found happiness in her life" or "She was overwhelmed with happiness in her life"...?  My happiness is about perspective.  At times the silver lining seems nonexistent. When I am feeling down in the dumps, I have to stop and think, we are all going through something. Each and every person has had something happen in their life that is less than wonderful, it is simply a matter of how the negativity is handled.  Right now it is a struggle living with my daughter in a small room at my moms making $20 or less a day.  Growing up, I always thought I would be happily married before having a kid and my husband and I wo

1. Going to the Park. Whether you have a child or not,  the park is a great way to find relaxation. Now that my daughter is interested in everything and walking around everywhere, the park has become a pretty regular place for us. Even if she's more interested in the wood chips over the slides for the time being. 2. Walk or run in your neighborhood.  Running is a vital part to my week. It is great exercise and a perfect stress reliever. Starting out can be a challenge but once you get over the hump, running will be something you look forward to. 3. Window shopping. The mall has also become a pretty regular place for us and you don't have to have a child to find it relaxing. We walk around the mall without spending a dime usually once a week. People watching provides entertainment at any stage in life. 4. Kick back and relax in the front or back yard.  Studies have shown that being outside is good for your overall health. Take a moment and enjoy the world around you.

As a mom I am all about all natural, happy, healthy, organic, etc. to the point my friends and family are annoyed at times.  I was at Target a few months back and came across a new line of perfume called Good Chemistry . Of course I had only gone in for a new blouse but that is how going to Target plays out. You go in for one thing and come out with twenty. After browsing the cosmetic department I wound up purchasing the Good Chemistry scent known as ' Wild Child ' not only because it is totally appropriate in regards to the kind of person I am, but it is vegan, pareben-free and made with essential oils. It is everything I love in a bottle. On Target.com, this scent is described as "...a just right composition of instinct and identity that designs a life that pops with personality. Fragrance notes of bergamot, coconut, and bamboo make our Wild Child body mist mischievous + bright with looks to match." If you have not already I would highly recommend going to ch

Crawlers and new walkers are notorious for putting anything and everything in their mouths. Here is a list of personal experiences to give fair warning and awareness to anyone with a little one. 1. Tiny Screws. I am listing this one first because we wound up in the ER. My mom had just moved into a new house and was painting a desk. She had taken the doors off to make for an easier paint job but for whatever reason left the tiny screws on the floor. Let's just say there were a total of 8 tiny screws and when I discovered what Ella was playing with, there were only seven screws. So we wound up in ER, thankfully, there was no screws in her tummy but it was not a fun experience to say the least.  2. Paper in any form. At 13 months old, her latest paper muse is the label you see on all water bottles. She also enjoys paper towels and receipts. SO be warned, if you need to save a receipt, keep it away from the baby!  3. The end of my iPhone charger. I know how bad this sound

Routine. Schedule. Maintain. Just some of the words I hear as a mom, on a regular basis. The three words I have loathed for nearly the whole of my daughter's life. I am not one for routines, it is nice to maintain variety and change, not routine. My daughter was nearly one year old by the time I finally grew to be more open to maintaining a schedule and it has proven to be very helpful. My excuse before routines entered our lives? "I can't make her tired, or hungry or want to go to sleep." Finally, after my stubborn self decided to try this "routine" thing moms are always talking about, she sleeps and eats pretty regularly now: 6:00 am: Wake up 6:30 am: Eat breakfast 7:45 am: Drop her off with her grandparents; at some point, she eats another meal 9:00 am: It's nap time! 12:00 pm: Time to get my love bug from grandparents 12:30pm -1:00 pm: she eats another meal 3:00pm - 4:00 pm: Nap time again! 5:00pm - 6:00 pm: It's dinner time!

Every time I hear 'Hey there Delilah' by the Plain White T's,  it takes me back to when I was 15 years old and dating a guy I was certain I would marry. We were in a long distance relationship for a year and a half and this was basically our song - well for me it was.  When I was 15 I thought I had my whole life planned, well, not so much. I will be turning twenty-two in September and I am more lost now then I have ever been. Truth is, I didn't expect to get pregnant, married, divorced, to living with my daughter at my parent's house, in less than two years.  Sounds crazy, right? Now I am struggling to be a mom, figure out who I am and how I am going to make a living for my daughter and myself.  In the last year it almost seems my identity has escaped me. Who am I besides a mom? What were my relationships like before I had my daughter? What do people talk about when they don't have kids? These questions aren't necessarily bad but I'd like t

There are some things you might want to know before going to Disneyland, during the summer, with a one-year-old. Disneyland not only tires your child out but will certainly make you want to take a nap along side the ducks that are scattered throughout the park. 1. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT forget your stroller. My 20 pound child is not heavy until I have to carry her around an entire amusement park. On the bright side, my arms are sore today, which means progress... right? With that said, the park does offer complementary strollers but I guess you could say I am stubborn and like to avoid germs. I like to think holding her over the strenuous journey through Disneyland only brought us closer together. 2. You might actually melt. Summertime is nice and all, but not when it is 95 degrees and surprisingly, there is not a whole lot of shade. Disneyland should consider installing steamers throughout the park. If my baby, that isn't doing a whole lot of waking, has dew drops on her

When you have a baby, talking to yourself becomes a normal thing Why does everyone say they hate the smell of spit up? Her (or his) first words were "hi" and "mama".....yes, she was only 2 months old at the time, but it happened That whitish stain on you see everyday on my shoulder, thats called a name tag, it says "Mom" My baby is the cutest on the planet, obviously Completing a manicure yourself might mean you were only able to finish one hand What does it mean to sleep through the night again? Baby giggles are the best sound on the entire planet To your boobs: "Who are you two and why do you look like that?" At least your arms are looking nice and toned

1. If you can't see the whip cream it isn't there.  ie) Ordering a warm latte from Starbucks: The cup is not clear, the lid's not clear, the whip cream can't be seen, so it isn't even there, don't think about it, just drink it 2. A Rubik's cube is held together through sorce ry.  ie) The cube can be twisted in any direction, sorcery is the only thing that makes sense. 3. Be careful, belly buttons lead to your innards.  ie) Growing up I never let anyone bury me at the beach, no now wants sand in their body. 4. Spinach will solve your problems ie) Going to the bathroom. Need I say more? 5. All you need for your feet is a nice pedicure and a good pair of flip flops. ie) My orange toes and flip flop tan.