Not so Funday Sunday

I am not referencing today (Sunday) as my not Funday Sunday, but rather last Sunday.


I was telling my mom about what happened last Sunday, and she said I should blog about it. I have debated about whether to write about it all week, as it involves Troy and me arguing, but here goes.

Last Sunday, Troy convinced me that I should ride in the car to run errands and get some lunch. In my gut I was thinking, hmmmmm the girls need to eat, Charli is tired, and I can't even remember the last time I showered? Sorry :)But nonetheless I decided I would go...I should have stayed at home....here is why

First, Charli is complaining that she is hungry in the back seat and wants crackers. Not the "Chips" we already have on hand in the car, but "crackers!!!" We pull over at gas station and get her some crackers on our way to Walmart.

Yes, she is spoiled to the core!

Then, Troy says, "I'm just gonna run into Walmart return this and I will be right back." (I should have known better at this point) I get on my phone eager to enjoy some Facebook updates, and then Josi starts to cry, then Libbi and I realize it is time to eat.

I crawl into the back seat, get out their bottles and start feeding them on a 5 inch wide seat. While I am feeding them I get instructed to "MOVE!!!!" by Miss Diva Charli Kay, because my large head is blocking her view of Tangled on the DVD player. So I then, tilt my head in order for her to be able to view her movie and eat the "crackers" we made a special stop for. (Anything to keep me from having 3 screamers!)


While I am sitting there, I realize that both Libbi and Josi are pooping. In my head I am thinking. "WTF!!! Troy gets to go into Walmart with no children, and I am stuck in a poop-smelled van with a bossy two year old and two hungry babies! What in the world is taking so long?!" and why in the heck did I say yes to coming along for this torture-fest!


Then as I get them changed, fed, back into their carseats (All doing this in the back seat of a van), I start to get more and more angry and I don't even know why? I think "Would Troy be doing this?" No, he would have called me and told me to come out. "Would Troy be sitting on a 5 inch seat?" "Would Troy be tilting his head so Queen ChaCha can see her show?" NO and NO!

As I sat there, arms going numb from holding bottles, I really got worked up.


Then finally Troy gets back to the van. And, what did I do or say? Well I didn't say anything at first. Then when he explained how he picked up some Hot Dog buns, I just couldn't resist. I almost screamed it but I didn't when I said, "I should have just stayed home!!!"

Then of course, I am a total freak who just bit his head off, and he doesn't even know the events that just took place, besides me almost throwing the poopy diapers at him to throw away when he got back to the car 40 minutes later.

So, to make a long story longer we were mad at one another.

We headed to get lunch, and while driving on Camp Bowie we were literally almost killed by a lady in a Mercedes SUV who didn't realize she couldn't turn but decided to turn anyways. Fortunately, Troy was able to swerve into a parking lot and saved us from a horrible accident. At that point, we looked at each other and both apologized. Some things mean nothing when you realize that your whole family could be taken away in a heartbeat.


I am so thankful to be a mommy and a wife to a wonderful man. Yes, there are times when I am changing diapers and cramped in the back seat that I think I would rather be the man that gets to go in Walmart, instead of the mom that sacrifices for the sake of getting out of the house. But, I think we all make sacrifices ALL THE TIME in order to be parents, I think it is God's way of showing us the sacrifice he has made for us. When I think about His ultimate sacrifice, I am so thankful for my family and my Faith.



And next time, I will know better than to think anyone can just "run" in Walmart! I'll be staying at home!

On a side note:

Anyone who has twins or 3 children under 3 must purchase a Toyota Sienna it is the best car for multiples! I love my Swagger Wagon. It is dorky, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I cannot imagine even being able to leave the house comfortably without it, or being able to tend to the twins and Charli in other type of car. It is awesome! I love pushing a button and the doors open, and having the all the room! It will be so fun when we take out first road trip. Plus it handled great when Troy had to save our lives that day!

You might be a momma if...

Just thinking about all the things we do as moms and had to share a list of "You might be a momma if..." Sort of like "You might be a Redneck if..." but my own version!


So here goes! All speaking from my own personal experience.

You might be a momma if:

If you have thrown an outfit in to the church bathroom trash can because you changed a blowout diaper, only to realize that you hadn't packed a change of clothes in the diaper bag.


If after you changed the blowout diaper you explained to the lady asking if you needed help that you were, "FINE!" and then proceeded to bag the trash in the church bathroom because you realized you were in the wrong bathroom to begin with!

If you have used half and half instead of milk in your child's cereal because you refused to go to the grocery store with newborn twins.



If you have cleaned your child's pacifier by placing it in your mouth! (I validate it by telling myself that I am taking the germs off and that I will get sick instead!) Horrible, but you know you've done it too!


If you have prayed for your child to fall back asleep so you don't have to get up in the middle of the night.

If when you changed your baby in the morning you realized that at the 2am feeding you had put two diapers on your newborn baby. I guess she was double leak-proof! :)

If you have man-handled another 3 year old boy who was trying to drown your child in the baby pool.



If you have said that you aren't going to reward your child with food only to be driving through Braum's drive through after every doctor's appointment that involves a needle!


If you made a doctor's appointment because you thought your two-year old was sick, but secretly asked the nurse practitioner if she thought your daughter could be depressed because you took her sassy away. (You should have seen the look on her face, like are you serious? We just took a co-pay for this?) But, no she actually had strep throat.

If you have had to cancel a date night with friends because your baby is constipated. Sad, but nothing is worse than having a stopped up baby. Luckily we have found FIBER gummies!!! Thank goodness!



If you have let your sick baby throw up all over you, instead of holding her away and causing her to be even more traumatized. P.S. Never give Strawberry Milk to a child with fever....wait never give them milk period when they have fever. But instead, have a case of PediaLite on hand in the pantry for such an event.



If you have looked at your once cute precious belly button and thought at least I have a reason it is now deformed! (I'm working on restoring it to it's original state, but fear it may never happen) Thank you Shakeology I am now back to my pre-preggo weight! Now to lose the dreadful twin-skin and 10 lbs I put on when I knew I was gonna try to get pregnant again.

Finally,

You might be a momma if when you look at your child, you realize God has given you a gift that compares to no other, you pray first for them and their happiness, and you hope beyond all hope they will be healthy and safe for rest of their lives.


Troy sent me this today (I am unsure of who the author is)

"Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well. She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow. She is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. She's crystallized in every teardrop. A mother shows every emotion .......... happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow... and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space...not even death!"

Isn't that the truth!

Now to go tend to my rudey-moody two-year old! She makes the twins seem easy!!!

Also, in order to maintain my Shake-Addiction, I have become a coach so any others interested please visit www.myshakeology.com/jessicahanson. Or if you want to join me in doing the Brazil Butt Lift, visit www.beachbodycoach.com/jessicahanson.

Separation Anxiety is a Five Letter Word That Starts with B!

Well, this week for me has been busy.


(If only the work day started at 9am!)

Swim lessons, graduate school assignments due, a three day training at the service center which is basically just a school for teachers, and grad school today.

I knew this week was coming, and I knew my mom would be keeping Charli and the twins, but nothing compares to the feelings you have the first time you leave your babies with someone other than your spouse for more than a couple of hours.




My training started on Wednesday, and on Tuesday night the silence began.

That's right silence.

I stopped talking, zoned out, and couldn't focus on anything except the thoughts in my head. Troy dreads this silence, he constantly asks, "What's wrong?" but, the only thing I can say is that I am fine. But, really I want to break down crying!

Here are just a few thoughts going through my mind during the silence:

-I hope the twins stay on schedule.

-No one can feed them like I feed them, what if they don't burp?

-I hope it's not too much for my mom to handle? Although, my mom did in-home child care when we were little so she could be at home with us. She took care of multiple children plus a special needs infant, so I know she is able to do this.


-I think I should go buy a lottery ticket.

-Maybe I need to write down a detailed schedule, a picture schedule, a detailed-picture schedule?

-Then again, I could just do a video of everything I do during the day just in case my mom needs a visual aide?

-I need to show my mom how I sing the "Gooby Gooby Gum Drop" song to the twins

-What if Charli's breakfast isn't set up like I do it? Milk, vitamin, and cereal in her pink bowl with her favorite purple spoon. Or as Charli calls it "poon"

-What if Charli is manipulative? I know how strong-willed she can be, which she totally gets only from her daddy, mommy is too laid-back and relaxed to be strong-willed.

No as a matter of fact, I know she gets this from me, and that is why I sympathize with her probably too much. I was a momma's girl, I was attached to my momma's hip just like Charli. She is passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn just like me. But, I want her to also know boundaries, and not take advantage of her Mimi.

-What happens if Charli gets mad at me for leaving?

-What happens if I actually have fun away from the kids? Do I feel guilty? or enjoy myself?

-Why can't I stop thinking about this and just let go?




-Maybe I should buy two lottery tickets?

I know what your thinking, and I am thinking it too. I am OVER-thinking it. My mom has raised me, and she is a twin herself. If anything she knows that twins are pretty tough, they've shared close quarters for 9 months, and now they will be sharing many things until the time they go their separate ways. Charli has been with my mom since I went back to work when she was ten weeks old. My mom is strong and self-sacrificing, she has supported me and told me to always do what I love. She wants me to work and have a career, and she has inspired me to one day retire and do the same for my girls that she is doing for me now. I am extremely blessed to be in this situation so why can't I just stop worrying already???????????

I don't know. Some might say just let it go and stop being a control freak. But, I think it is what some of us just do as moms. We love our babies, we worry about them, we want them to feel loved like we love them even if we are away from them.



Sitting here I can't help but imagine them 14-16 years from now, and then my fear will be them all getting in a car without me to ride to a football game.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. How will I ever be able to do that?

Time to go hug some babies and enjoy my snuggles because like our Pastor says, "The days go by so slow, but the years go by so fast." I need to remember to enjoy the moments each day, everyday and not worry too much about things I can't control.



Twins @ 12 weeks! Smiling at Momma!



My angel, my love, my gift from above!

Also, want to give a shout out to Charli's swim instructor! Mrs. Anna Falcon! You are amazing! Charli actually swam a breath under water after only 2 weeks of lessons! We will be seeing you for another week! Thank you for being patient and making Charli's first experience in the pool fun and exciting! I wish I could post videos! I will definitely take pictures this week of her swimming under the water to post!
Her email is ladyfalcon10@gmail.com!


www.falconsflippers.com

Date Night with the Twins

Date night with the twins



So Saturday night Troy's mom offered to watch Charli so she could play with her cousin, and we could have a dinner minus the opinionated 2.5 year old.

I got dressed up well somewhat, jean shorts, t-shirt, flip flops, and hair half wet since I didn't want to take the time to blow dry it. I always get ready before I get the kiddos ready (even when I just had one) because if I didn't then I would probably not ever wear make-up or do my hair. This was also coincidently recommended by the book I read "Twin Sense" by Dagmara Scalise.


A Must Read if you have twins or even two in diapers at the same time


I packed the diaper bag for the twins, with two bottles from the fridge. I asked Troy if I should make fresh bottles just in case those bottles wouldn't be warm enough by the time we ate. He said, "Nah, they will be fine!" Remember this for later.

Anyways, we dropped Charli off at Grammy's about 6pm, and then we are driving down the road and the dreaded question comes out:

"Where do you want to go?"

Proceeded by me saying, "I don't care" proceeded by me repeating the dreaded question, and Troy responding, "I don't know."

AHHHH!!!!!! So then the next worst thing is said:

"Let's just drive"

NEVER do this...you end up driving around and by the time you could be sitting down eating or waiting somewhere in line you instead spend your time in the car deciding where to go, while you progressively get more mad at one another because you want someone to just decide (as long as you agree with the decision of course).

Meanwhile, my mind is calculating the last time the twins ate which was at 4:30 so that meant that they needed to eat about 7:30 which would have been right smack in the middle of dinner.

By the time we hit Downtown Fort Worth, I knew I had to act fast. Troy is unable to decide when we are in this situation. I know he is trying to read my mind, and pick what he thinks I want. He thinks that I am doing the same, but I am not, I am thinking "We better decide soon because I don't want to have two cranky hungry babies when we walk in somewhere to eat."

So I say let's go to Joe T.'s, it was nice out with the storm front that blew in that afternoon, and it may not be too crowded since it was overcast.

We drove by and the line was about a 20-30 minute wait from what I could guess, Troy said he wasn't going to wait. But, I vetoed him and said to park. (I knew if we drove away it would be another 30 minutes before we could decide again on a destination.)

So we unloaded, purse, diaper bag, bottles, double stroller, and Josi and Libbi.

In line, we get the new usual comments:

"You've got you hands full"
(Inner voice thinking: Yes we know and we have a 2 year old at home too)

"Wow, look at those little boys"
(Inner voice thinking: First, just because they are wearing green doesn't mean they are boys, second, they have HOT PINK carseats!)

and my personal favorite!:

"Are they twins?"
(Inner voice thinking: No, I just had them a week apart :)

I understand the questions, the gawking, and the constant reminder of people telling us we have our hands full. We DO have our hands full, and I know this.

So we wait in line, and proceed to sit down at our table. This takes longer than normal because I realize that I need to position the girls so that we can feed them. We sit down and I get the bottles out and they are cold. Very cold.

My mind is thinking....hmmmm....Who should I have listened to when I asked myself the question about if I should make fresh bottles? or bottles from the fridge?

I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MYSELF!!!!!!!!

I look at Troy and say, we are gonna have to figure out how to warm these cold bottles, so we ask for a glass of hot water.

The waitress brings us the first glass and realizes that it is not warm enough (thank goodness she did because I didn't want to have to kindly ask for another) then she brings a hot glass out. I start to warm the bottles and the twins start fussing.


The sweat starts pouring and the anxiety starts building, I don't want to ruin anyone else's date night with two screaming hungry babies. Please let these bottles warm quickly. I play the paci game and start giving the girls their sassies.

We get the bottles warm enough, and start feeding the girls! Ahhhhh peace....

We fed them, and then fed ourselves and it was really nice.

Until we had to leave :)

Note to self: There is only one way into and out of Joe T Garcia's restaurant with a stroller/wheelchair, and that path is right through the crowd of people waiting to get into the patio. I have to walk down saying excuse me, coming through with my GIGANTIC BUS of a stroller. While the margarita-in-hand young singles who are able to eat dinner later than 8 o'clock at night look at us and smile in sheer terror. ;-)~




After making it down the ramp, we look at each other and laugh and Troy says our new favorite line:

"Gotta love Twin-life"

We smile, get into our Swagger Wagon, and pick-up our Charli in time to do the bed time routine.


The Twin-life, wouldn't have it any other way!

The Slumber Games

This is my old child:

So preciously asleep in her crib, with her sassy, and her blanket.

Today Charli is two and half years old. It is 10:05pm and Charli just fell asleep in her bed.

I am not sure how I compare to other moms of two and half year olds and how they get them to sleep, but I am feeling pretty low ranked.

Let me paint the picture: Sunday Night

8:30 p.m. Lay Charli in bed, while she then proceeds to scream that she isn't tired and is scared. I tell her mommy and daddy are watching her always with our video machine and she doesn't need to be scared. I tell her she is safe. We always say we love her, and sweet dreams.


The Video Monitor A.K.A. "The video machine"

9:00 Charli screaming, Daddy asks her if she pooped on the video monitor(she is on antibiotics which usually cause diarrhea so we had been worried about this) she says "Ya" and I proceed with my diaper changing equipment into her room. I start to change her diaper and NO POOP! I said, "Charli there's no poop in here" and she has the AUDACITY to say........"There's Not?????" That sneaky little stinker! I lay her back down and tell her I love her and leave.

9:30 Troy goes in because Charli is screaming "Ouchie, Ouchie, Ouchie!" he proceeds into her room to find nothing wrong except her to say that she is not tired and she is scared of the pink monster! UGH!!! That smart little stinker! She knows exactly what to say to get us in there!

10:00 Charli screaming in her room. I go in to find her with no clothes on and she says "I'm cold" By this point I'm LIVID!!!!! BRING IT GIRL! I'm going show her who's boss that bossy little......!!!

10:30 She is in our bed....I'm defeated, tired, and she has won. (Stop smirking)

11:00 Troy takes one for the team and sleeps with Mr. Flashlight and Chubby Giraffe for the night in Charli's room.

Troy's snuggle partner that night

Here is my list of everything (under the sun) that I have tried! AND, how Miss Charli Kay has manipulated it.



Prayer and story- The first story turned into two, into three, into four, into a newly made up story about three puppies that goes like this: Once upon a time, there were three puppies (No I will not bore you with my three puppies story that changes depending on my level of tiredness) Needless to say after the 6th story I realized homegirl trapped me!




The stuffed animal kissing game- I kiss all the stuffed animals in her bed to sleep, ending with Charli. Then I get INSTRUCTED to start over, do it again, and tell her "Three puppies"



Snuggle me mommy- This is when I lay down next to her, and rub her back, play the staring game, rub her hair, rub her eyebrows, and tell her how beautiful and smart she is. While she INSTRUCTS me to tell her "Three puppies"



Tag Team- Mommy and Daddy both go into combat. We play good cop-bad cop. Mommy says, "Charli you have to sleep in your bed." While daddy gets to say, "Charli if you sleep in your bed I'll take you to get doughnuts in the morning." Then on the way out she asks for those annoying "Three puppies" again.

Then I remembered I am a teacher, I have worked with special needs students, emotionally disturbed students, and even just plain regular students. Why can't I do this? Why can't I be consistent and strong? So we have now started a sticker chart.



Since she is two I realize expecting her to wait a week to reward her is just not feasible to her. So we are starting small. I have created a small prize bucket on the fridge of things that include small stuffed animals, gum, pens, little notebooks, stamps, etc.

If Charli sleeps in her bed she earns one sticker. She needs to earn 3 total to get a baby doll. (Again this can be something small from the flea market in WS, or a little Barbie from Dollar Tree)

This morning she woke up and immediately asked for a sticker and prize!! I could not believe she remembered!!!! She put the sticker on the chart! and picked one prize from the prize box!!! I was so proud!!!!!

It is now three days later and she has earned her third sticker! Way to go Charli!!

I think I will start making her earn progressively more each time so we aren't buying her things all the time.

Hopefully, this will work....but knowing Charli, she may find a way to corrupt the system. Maybe some other mommies will have some suggestions for me? Please feel free to comment :)

I guess I am just different...

While I can appreciate what Hollywood is doing with the movie Magic Mike I will most likely not be seeing it anytime soon.

I was asked to go see the movie Magic Mike and it got me thinking, by the way I would love to go see ANY movie! ( But I realize having 3 children under three it may not happen for about 3 years!!!) Anyway Troy and I have made a pact that we cannot partake in any GNO's or BNO's until the twins are sleeping consistently through the night.

But, I am sure I will not make everyone happy by saying, What's the difference between me seeing this movie with a group of women vs. my husband joining together with his buddies to see a movie like Showgirls or Striptease?

I know, I know, I know!!! that some will say well men have been doing this for years and now it is our turn.

I'm just personally saying it is not for me.

I am sure some will say I am insecure...maybe I am..or maybe I would just rather not feel like a hypocrite myself.

I can appreciate that this A-list cast is probably extremely funny and heck I may watch it one day if it ever comes on HBO, but it will most likely be with Troy in the room saying turn that dancey-dance crap off, just like I tell him if I see a girl in a bikini on t.v.

OR! I ask a hundred questions or make a hundred comments, like "Well, must be nice to have a trainer" or "Do you think she has a good body?" Of course she does!!! She's a supermodel!

I digress....

I just know that maybe if I feel this way then others may too right? Or maybe I am the only one that feels this way?

I think that maybe there are more women like me out there that do.

I just personally know that if Troy told me his buddies and he were going to go see a movie about female strippers including a top-notch cast of women like Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, or Jessica Simpson....

then this Jessica would secretly be pretty upset inside.

This is how I feel about it today, and maybe it is just the fact that I just had the twins, and I am feeling insecure. I dont know....

The Isolation Irritation

Stop Laughing...I was bored....This is my Gi-Normous Twin Belly! You can barely see me back there!


Before I ever had children I would hear about pregnant women who get put on bed rest. I would think to myself, "Wow, bed rest would be a blast! You get to lie in bed, eat whatever you want, and sleep whenever you want." I worked up until the day I delivered Charli at 39 weeks so bed rest was never an option with her. But with the twins it was a different story...

I was only 25 weeks pregnant when I came home from a training and started having full blown contractions every 5 minutes. I tracked them, tried to drink water, and rest but they were still coming.

We called Troy's mom and she came to watch Charli and we went to Labor and Delivery. They got me hooked up, and both girls sounded great, but I was having small contractions. I was given a shot of Terbutaline, which made my skin crawl and made me want to get up and run a marathon at the same time. I was also put on Procardia which actually is a blood pressure medication, this helps to relax the uterus.

My doctor said to stay home until she re-assessed me the next week. At that appointment she asked me if I had any contractions in the previous week.

For a split second, I was going to lie and say no. I didn't want to be taken off of work, we had gone through disability paperwork before and I was denied because of a pre-existing condition. I was terrified to miss out on more money, but I was more terrified of what could happen if I lied to the doctor and went about working with the contractions. I didn't want to put the twins in danger. I told her I had a few and she said I could not return to work.

I wanted to play with Charli, work in the yard, go to work and talk with all my friends. But, I was trapped in my house. My mom would come to help with Charli and tell me to stop getting up. Troy was the Bed Rest Police and would constantly be telling me I am doing too much. I was so mad at being told what to do, especially when it came to Charli.

I remember physically having a tug-of-war over Charli with my mom. I thought..."This crazy lady ain't gonna tell me I can't hold my baby!"

Then I remembered.

I am her baby. She is looking out for me the way I would look out for my girls if they were pregnant and on bed rest.



Then by week 34 I was MISERABLE! My legs started to swell. I felt like at anytime a foot or hand was going to pop out!If I stood for longer than a minute my feet would start burning and going to sleep. And, at one point I thought I might be the first person whose actual skin ripped apart while pregnant. I was ready, but wanted to keep the twins in until the minimum 36 weeks which some doctors consider term for twins.


My humongous FEET! and cankles!

Miserable and huge!

At 34 and a half weeks we had another hospital scare. This time I had to stay overnight and be monitored. I was given the horrible Terbutaline again, and double doses of Procardia. Thank the Lord, I got to go home the next day.

But, for some reason I think this is when the Twin-to-Twin went Acute. I'll never know for sure....

Anyways, you read the birth story and thank goodness I was on bed rest considering what happened when the twins were born, but now that bed rest is over that doesn't mean I don't feel isolated still.....

Solitary Confinement of Motherhood:

I haven't driven as much as I'd like to. I would like to leave the house, but it takes roughly a few hours planning/getting ready in order to do so.


I don't necessarily want visitors because that means I have to clean, and believe me I freak about this...just ask Troy. I am like a nervous wreck if people come over and its not clean....I will be twitching in angst!


I feel guilty looking forward to getting my freedom again once school starts, and I am back to work. But then again, I will miss my babies so much being gone that long all day. I love my job so this is where I get torn sometimes. Thank God we have Mimi.


I feel jealous that Troy is at work and gets to go out to lunch and run errands, etc. I call him at like 5:15pm and ask where he is at? If he says he left on time at 5:00pm I am ecstatic! But, if he says he is still working...I feel a drop of sadness that I will have to wait 15 more minutes to see him and have him home.


I am so thankful for the internet, DVR, and my iPhone. Thank goodness I can connect with people, check email, and write this to share. What did our mother's do all day without Smartphones? I guess that helps us to not go too stir crazy.


I spent $120 on ShoeDazzle.com's BOGO sale?!?!?! Why? I don't know? I guess it's because I don't want to buy clothes because I haven't lost my baby weight so if I order shoes I can make myself feel better. UGH!!! Buyer's remorse.


I get excited to wake up in the morning and drink my Shakeology and coffee because its something for me. It makes it even better when I can watch 45 minutes of my favorite DVR'd trashy reality shows like The Bachelorette or Real Housewives of Orange County!


I also get excited when I get to take an uninterrupted shower! How nice it is to not have to get out, get cold, and give a crying baby a pacifier. Or realize I didn't get to wash the conditioner out of my hair!

I get dressed up like I am going on a job interview or on a date just to go to the doctor or the store. This is because I don't get to get out much so when I do I want to wear my nice clothes and put on make-up. So if you see me and I look nice it is because I have not left the house in 5 days.

I reminisce about the days when I could go shopping all day, go to the pool and not worry about my body or worry that my 2-year-old needs more sunblock, and go to a 10 o'clock movie just because we want to.

Some might say, "Well those are the sacrifices you make as a parent."

I don't necessarily think I am sacrificing anything. I see myself as trading. I would not want to trade places with my pre-children self. I was on a moody emotional roller coaster 24/7!

If anything motherhood has taught me is not to sweat the small stuff. Now I realize, I use to worry about things that seem so meaningless. Now I worry about my girls and their happiness, which for me, seems like a better thing to stress about.

For those interested please check out:

www.myshakeology.com/jessicahanson