To All Mommas.

I'm a very lucky momma.  I have two, healthy, beautiful kids.  I wouldn't change it for the world.  I do have to say though, being a momma is THE toughest job in the world.  Don't argue with me, just take my word for it.  Some of this post will come from experience and some just from noticing other mommas around me.  Side note, I do realize that there are many men who are equal to their lady with the "upbringing" of their kids, but I'm a momma, so I am speaking to mommas just this time :)

Mommas are hard-workers.  At the infant stage, they are getting what I call "segmented sleep".  They are up all hours of the night, feeding.  At first, they are relied upon 24/7....the job doesn't stop.  Sleep, diaper change, feed.  Repeat.  Although this new little life is in the picture, unfortunately laundry somehow continues to be dirty, dishes continue to need washing, the house still needs to be vacuumed, dinner still needs to be cooked, errands still need to be ran, and well.....your poor husband still needs some attention.  The fact is, being a momma is added to the equation.  Being a momma doesn't subtract all the other duties (I wish).  Being a momma is HARD.WORK.

I could NOT imagine being a single momma.  If you are a single mom, you my friend are a hero.  I don't even know how you survive.

If you were to ask me what I would change about being a mom, it would be this:  stop worrying about the laundry that needs to be washed, the dishes that need to be cleaned, the text messages and facebook status updates, and the unvacuumed carpet.  Instead, don't worry.  Play.  Make a Mess.  Have fun.  Build a fort with every blanket in the house.  See how many legos it takes to cover the entire bathroom floor.  Bang the wall with a hammer (don't tell dad) or roll around in all the dog hair and see how long it takes to cover your black shirt (true story people).

Seriously, why do mommas feel like everything has to be perfect?  Why can't we just enjoy our kids?  I am preaching to the choir here.  I am OCD.  I am so OCD that if dishes are in the sink and I don't have time to load the dishwasher, I'll organize the dirty dishes in the sink.  I know, sickening.  But now that summer is basically over and its time for me to go back to work, I regret worrying about what my house looks like.  Who cares.  So.....

To All Mommas-

You are DA.BOMB.  You are the hardest working humans on the planet and you deserve a daily pat on the back (or a nice shopping spree).  Your children may not appreciate everything you do now but when they get older (just like I did) they will realize how special you are.   Drop the broom, let go of the dish rag, step over the legos and build a fort with your kid (a glass of wine might make the fort look even better).

Love,

A momma who knows how hard it can be

Lyla Ray is 2 Months Old.

8 weeks have passed and Lyla Ray is growing!  She was so tiny the day she was born @ 6 lbs, 9 oz. but she has made up for it :)  At her 2 month appointment she weighted 10 lbs, 3 oz....fatty girl!  She loves to eat my milk but formula...not so much. We've tried several kinds and she will not drink it (she would earlier but not now).  So....I've started to pump more just incase I am ever not home and she needs to eat.  I HATE pumping...hate it.  But anything for the little princess :) Ha!  During the day she eats about every 2.5 to 3 hours and now at night she will go one long 4.5-6 hr. stretch.

Last night (7.13) Lyla slept in her crib for the first time!  She is a great sleeper at night, wahoo!  I usually feed her around 9pm and she sleeps til 3/3:30 and up again around 6:30am.  She does like to be held during the day and is a lot fussier than Gage was but I'll take a night sleeper any day!

She is iffy about a paci.  She likes it when she is fussy but spits it out a lot too.  She prefers the brand "mam".  I did have to put up her newborn clothes about a week ago so she's growing for sure.  Why is it always sad when you have to put up a certain size?!  Hormones.

She has been smiling and cooing....LOVE.  Gage loves her to pieces and has gotten a lot better about not being so rough.  He always asks for her and wants to "pet her" or kiss her.  He has given us a run for our money lately.  I THOUGHT he has been in the terrible twos...oh no, they just started.  He has been swatting at us when we tell him no and he bitten Mia.  Lord help us.  Sometimes I just don't know what to do.  I called my sister one day and she said it was a stage unfortunately.  Its so embarrassing in public.  Especially when you know you have "raised" your child better and don't let them get away with it at home.  But judgers will judge and one day they will have kids and understand :)

Back to Lyla.

OMG....her nails.  I tried cutting them like 2 weeks ago and she screamed.  Mom of the year cut her little fingers and they were bleeding, I felt horrible.  But let's be serious, filing does NOT work.  So they are really long and sharp but I'm scared to attempt to cut them again.


Lyla and I are rockin' a mullet.  No....really.  I would take a picture but ya'll know what a mullet looks like.  Side note:  my hair is growing but looks horrible.  Its just at that stage where there is nothing I can do with it but put on a hat...and its gonna take a WHILE.  Ugh.  It's just irritating when you want to look decent...I put on make up, clothes, and then look at my hair and it ruins everything.  Kind of like when your hair is greasy you feel like wearing yoga pants and a tank top, well I feel like that everyday, lol.  I need to invest in a pair of yoga pants for Monday-Sunday.

Back to Lyla.  I keep getting side tracked.

Anyways, Lyla is the sweetest little thing.  I really cannot believe she has been in this world for 8 weeks already.  We love you sweet girl!

Leslie and Ashi's Wedding

Love those big eyes.

She loves taking naps on her tummy.  I'm too scared to do that at night :)

Waiting for Fireworks on July 4th with Gracie!

She had several wardrobe changes on July 4th.

"Mom....can I hold Lyla please?"