Going to have to change my blog name!

Looks like confessions of a stay at home mom will now have to be changed to a working mom ( well at least outside the home). I had applied for a lead teaching position at my college back in may, mainly bc it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I got the call this week that I had gotten the job, and I could not be more excited. It really just shows that God really is in control and knows what is best. I had been trying for awhile to get in a teaching program and it seemed like there was always something that ended up getting in my way and that it just wasn't in the cards, but now I realize that this was God's plan. I'm going to a job that shares in my philosophy on how children should be taught and it offers great benefits. If I could just bring my own kids to the center than it would be just perfect. So now I am in the process of just finding the perfect place to take my own little darlings. So keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we will find the best place, and then I can check off one more thing on my to-do list before I start my job in a few weeks!

Mother bear!

I have not always been a person that stood up for myself, some might even have called me a doormat. It amazes me how having children can bring out the mother bear in someone who use to not want to upset anyone. Why, may you ask such a change in my personality just because of my darling babies? Well, it is simple, I want my children to speak their mind, not be afraid to question society, and grow up strong and independent, and I knew I needed to be this model for them. I also realized that not only do I need to be their model, but also their advocate. My children are little, and need someone to stick up for them when they are being mistreated, so if you directly or indirectly mistreat or say something to upset this momma bear be prepared for the attack. For all you non parents out there who think you have all the answers about raising children, I'm here to inform you that you don't, not even close, and once you think you have stuff figured out your child throws a curve ball, and you were waiting for a fast pitch, catching you totally off guard and having to rethink your play book once again. So next time you are at a restaurant and you see a child not acting suitable in your eyes, stop and think before you open your big fat judgmental mouth. Maybe that child is hungry or tired and doesn't have good coping skills yet to deal with hhis emotions because he is little, and thrown out of his normal routine. You don't know what's going on, so don't assume that you do. Keep your mouth shut, or momma bear will get you, and she doesn't play nice, and will do whatever needs to be done to protect her young. News flash to for you non parents, if you choose one day to take the parenthood adventure, your children will not always behave perfectly. They will be loud, throw fits, and embarrass you, but hopefully someone will understand that sometimes kids act this way and don't judge you as a parent, or make you feel like your kid is a problem. When that day comes I hope you wise up and realize what a judgemental jerk you were, and apologize for trying to act like a child rearing know it all, but until then know that this momma bear will always protect her young, and I will come for you if you ever try to mess with my family again.

It has been awhile

It has been awhile since I have made a blog entry so I figured now was the time to catch everyone up on what's been going on. Well, after much thought we have decided to postpone our trip to Disney world and instead go to gulf shores. After thinking long and hard, Jeff and I decided Blake would probably be scared of most of the rides since he doesn't like the dark or loud noises. However, we are super excited about our trip to the beach. We are staying in a condo, which has many resort features. So there will be something for everyone. Next adalynn will be 9 months soon. My how the time has flown by. She is rolling everywhere and trying desperately to crawl. She has gotten 2 teeth and has let it be known that she is not happy about it. The last few weeks have been hard on everyone. She still wakes up at least twice a night which is starting to really get old. All in all though she is doing wonderful. Blake just finished up his therapy sessions for the summer! I'm really ready for the break because most weeks it was a battle to get him to go. He has made good progress with potty training, so maybe by kindergarden he won't be wearing a pull up,,haha. He is definitely my challenge, but he keeps me on my toes:) Well once we decided to go to gulf shores and I would be in a bathing suit, I got my butt into workout mode. I have my alarm set for 5:30 in the morning to work out but it usually ends up happening at 4:30 or 5 since this is usually the time adalynn gets me up. I am doing a 12 week postnatal boot camp, and I am on week 3 and have seen some progress. I'm thinking by week 12 I will look awesome:)I have also been trying to eat a little healthier and have made small changes here and there, but seem to really be adding up:) Well, that seems to sum up pretty much what has been going on since my last blog. Adalynn has her 9 month appointment at the end of the month so I will try to do a 9 month update on her:) everyone have a wonderful week.

Maybe Im meant to be a stay at home mom

I graduated college in December 2006 with a human environment and family science degree with a concentration in child development, it was always my plan from this I would get my teaching license for p-4,and teach little kids. Well the first time I attempted to do this I found out I was pregnant so I put it off and took classes that needed to be taken to enter the teaching program. So in 2010 I applied again and found out I was 3 hours short so I worked and took a class at night 4x a wk, and just as I finish my class I found out I was pregnant again and due in august. Well what school is going to hire someone who has to take off maternity leave right at the start of school, so I put it off again. So I finally got everything taken care of and was getting ready to apply again. I knew this time evrything was in order and taken care of to get in, well or so I thought. Today I got a letter saying I was missing 3 hrs of reading 2. I had taken 6 hrs of reading 1 and didn't have anything for reading two. Which got me thinking maybe I am just meant to be a stay at home mom! I mean it really is the best possible job around. I'm lucky I even have the option to work or stay at home. So I think this has been gods way of saying that he has something better for me in mind and i am just going to continue to pray that his plan is revealed to me in time.

My spirited child

Well as many of y'all know I have had some major challenges with my son. I have been stressed and feeling pretty hopeless on what to do with him, but thankfully that has all started to change. I have been reading a book called raising the spirited child, which I personally think it should be titled raising Blake because everything I read sounds just like him.

So basically this book teaches you how to deal with a spirited child and understand what is really going on inside their brain. I was so stressed thinking I was doing something wrong, but I now realize that this is Blakes temperament and instead of fighting it I need to learn to work with it.

So I'm trying some new skills with him and our power struggles have decreased and I'm not even done with the book yet. I have learned that my sweet child is overly sensitive to his surroundings and gets over stimulated easily so by helping him cope with stimulation before it overwhelms him has become my new mission. Eventually I hope he learns to recognize his own stimulation triggers and will be able to remove himself from the situation, but right now I am trying to help him handle his intensity.

I have to admit just knowing exactly what causes Blakes behavior has really taken a load off my shoulders because now that the issue is identified I can help him deal with it in a acceptable manner. I hope we continue to have success and that my relationship will continue to grow strong with him.

Have a wonderful night! :)

Making progress

Well I ripped the band aid off and made adalynn sleep in her crib, and she did great! She slept for 6 hours straight, which she hasn't done since I stopped using the miracle blanket. I fed her and she slept for another 2 hours. Around 3:30 am she was beginning to jabber and I knew it was only a matter of time before it turned into full blown screams so I took her to the living room to finish out the night in her swing. This is a huge step for her because usually I can only get her to sleep in her crib for a hour tops. So I am one proud momma right now.

So I am going to stick to the plan and really work on adalynn having a set routine with naps and bedtime, and I predict her sleeping issues will just get better and better.

Last night I had adalynn in her crib and asleep around 7:15, and this gave me some time to spend with Blake. I miss our one on one time so I am going to really enjoy when adalynn gets on a regular routine. Blake and I read stories and picked up his toys and snuggled before it was his bedtime at 8. So from 8 I had both kids in bed and I had some much needed me time! I am slowly starting to feel a little less overwhelmed, and just have to realize that my struggles I have with my kids will get better and I just need to be patient with them! So yea for progress!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Adalynn is 6 months old

Time has just flown by and my precious angel is six months old. I can't believe in only 6 short months she will be one!

Milestones reached

Rolling over
Babbling
Transferring object from one hand to another.

Emerging skills
Pushing up on arms
Sitting up without support

Things adalynn loves

Playmat
Exersaucer
Rice cereal
Chewing on her feet
Talking
Playing with her bubba (Blake)

Things adalynn doesn't like

Crib
Swing
Being without mommy
Sleeping
Shots

Adalynn had her 6 month check up on Friday she was nearly 14 lbs and was in the 10% for weight. She was still in the 50% for height and 75% for head circumference. So I have a small,average, big headed baby! :)

We have started to incorporate solids into her diet and she has taken to it like a champ. She grabs the spoon and shoves the food into her mouth. It is the cutest thing. I plan on feeding her baby foods twice a day and work up to 3x a day. Right now all we have tried is the rice cereal, but we will be starting vegetables next week I think.

We are still having sleep issues. She barely naps during the day and still wakes up every 3 or4 hours at night. I am trying a sleep method I used with Blake, and had a lot of success, but so far adalynn has proved to be more stubborn. I'm thinking this week I'm just going to rip off the band aid and force her into her crib. This was actually how I finally got Blake into his crib and out of his hammock. So wish me luck!

I hope everyone has a fantastic week!