We just came from my 'big' ultrasound and found out we are having a boy! My son will be so excited to hear the news when he comes home from school. He will be sharing a room with the new little addition. It sounds good in theory, but most of us have been there and can tell otherwise!
It is strange finding out the gender; we didn't with my first two pregnancies, but this is the last, so we decided to go for it.
So now off to find a name...decisions, decisions!
PS: I added some new pics to my dolly playset post. I am in love with the princess one I did (if I do say so myself!) Now my daughter wants one of her own!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Dealing with negativism
Since I made the decision to quit my job and stay home, I've gotten more than enough opinions about it from pretty much everyone. Many, many people were supportive, and shared with me their experiences.
Then there were those who, to put it bluntly, told me I was insane. THEY could NEVER do it, nor did they want to. Those who couldn't be paid enough to stay home with the kids. Those who reminded me, lest I forgot somehow, that I had a Master's Degree. I responded simply by saying that it was the best decision for my family. Period.
The way I increasingly felt was that my kids' kidhood was slipping away faster than an icepop on a 97 degree summer day, and I was powerless to stop it.
I used to watch my little boy trudge off into someone else's house each morning at 6:30 to be put on the bus. Sometimes I could barely make out his form in the darkness, and I'd stifle the tears as I drove the hour to work. Yes, his babysitter was wonderful, supportive, and a lifesaver, but why wasn't I putting him on the bus?
I used to listen to my toddler crying for me through a classroom wall while I remained on the other side, trying to engage my own class of preschoolers. At some point in the school year, spending so much time with other people's children while mine cried for me a room away began to get to me. Separating at the preschool door with a tear is something MANY a parent has to go through. Listening to your child cry for you off and on for seven hours when you can't go to them is another. It just felt...wrong.
I felt disconnected from them. I was disconnected from them. So, degree or no, I decided that I had to take action soon.
Then there were those who, to put it bluntly, told me I was insane. THEY could NEVER do it, nor did they want to. Those who couldn't be paid enough to stay home with the kids. Those who reminded me, lest I forgot somehow, that I had a Master's Degree. I responded simply by saying that it was the best decision for my family. Period.
The way I increasingly felt was that my kids' kidhood was slipping away faster than an icepop on a 97 degree summer day, and I was powerless to stop it.
I used to watch my little boy trudge off into someone else's house each morning at 6:30 to be put on the bus. Sometimes I could barely make out his form in the darkness, and I'd stifle the tears as I drove the hour to work. Yes, his babysitter was wonderful, supportive, and a lifesaver, but why wasn't I putting him on the bus?
I used to listen to my toddler crying for me through a classroom wall while I remained on the other side, trying to engage my own class of preschoolers. At some point in the school year, spending so much time with other people's children while mine cried for me a room away began to get to me. Separating at the preschool door with a tear is something MANY a parent has to go through. Listening to your child cry for you off and on for seven hours when you can't go to them is another. It just felt...wrong.
I felt disconnected from them. I was disconnected from them. So, degree or no, I decided that I had to take action soon.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A new day, a new project!
I am adding a new product to my hand painted dolly sets: dolly necklaces! Yes, you heard it right: I am now making the same adorable dollies from the playsets into actual necklaces that your little girl can wear.
What a wonderful way for the little girl to always keep her dolly near!
Each is hand-designed and hand-painted with pretty details. Hangs from a fabric cord and features a lobster claw closure. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Please e-mail me for more information on these or any other product pictured on my blog:)
Monday, June 15, 2009
A new adventure!
I haven't blogged in quite a while (talk about a false start) because I have been super busy with a new hobby/business venture.
I am making dolly playsets. I had made my daughter one for Christmas for fun, because I wanted to make her something meaningful and handmade.
I got some attention from the one I made her so I thought I'd try my hand at selling the sets. So far, the orders are keeping me busy, but I'd like to have more.
E-mail me for more information on these custom dolly playsets; the perfect gift for the little girl or boy who is hard to buy for. They are great for keeping the three-and-up set busy at the doctor's office or in the car.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Baby #2, and getting closer!
By the time my second child made her appearance, I had made up my mind: I was staying home. I called my boss over my maternity leave to break the news. She begged me to stay (that's how I like to phrase it) and told me I could bring the baby...so I caved and said 'yes'! It was nice to know I was wanted but I knew it would be stressful.
I went back and had to adjust to working while having a newborn and juggling other children to care for as well. It had its good and bad days, but I still felt very blessed to have her with me all day while earning a full-time salary at a relatively low-stress job.
When my baby was almost one we built a huge new facility and my boss informed me that there would be no infant room in the new school. I would need to find outside child care. So the saga continued...
I went back and had to adjust to working while having a newborn and juggling other children to care for as well. It had its good and bad days, but I still felt very blessed to have her with me all day while earning a full-time salary at a relatively low-stress job.
When my baby was almost one we built a huge new facility and my boss informed me that there would be no infant room in the new school. I would need to find outside child care. So the saga continued...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I wasn't always like this...
the 'staying at home' type, that is. In fact, after I had my firstborn, I couldn't wait for maternity leave to end so I could go back to work. I was a modern woman who though she could do it all, and for a while, I did.
But I'm getting ahead of the story. I went to school to become a teacher, and in 1998 I got a job an hour away working at a large nationwide preschool. I took the job because even though the commute was long, it was full time, had good benefits, and had what was at the time, a great salary. I didn't immediately love working there, but before you knew it, my husband and I were signing papers to our first house, and we needed steady incomes. That's how it started to snowball...first comes house, then comes baby, I guess!
In 2000 my son was born, and my boss invited me to bring him to work with me. We had two infant and toddler rooms on the premises, and she let me work in the infant room and keep my son there. It was like a dream come true, I thought. It was the best of both worlds! Eventually, though, the bubble burst and the stress set in...and the very first thought of staying home crossed my mind.
But I'm getting ahead of the story. I went to school to become a teacher, and in 1998 I got a job an hour away working at a large nationwide preschool. I took the job because even though the commute was long, it was full time, had good benefits, and had what was at the time, a great salary. I didn't immediately love working there, but before you knew it, my husband and I were signing papers to our first house, and we needed steady incomes. That's how it started to snowball...first comes house, then comes baby, I guess!
In 2000 my son was born, and my boss invited me to bring him to work with me. We had two infant and toddler rooms on the premises, and she let me work in the infant room and keep my son there. It was like a dream come true, I thought. It was the best of both worlds! Eventually, though, the bubble burst and the stress set in...and the very first thought of staying home crossed my mind.
My first blog post!
So I've been doing a lot of thinking in recent days, and I've decided to start a blog. How original. It started out because 'everyone else has one and I want one, too'. I was confused, though, about what to write. My life is not extraordinary! But last year I became a member of the sometimes not-so-elite group of mothers: the STAY AT HOME MOM. There are tons of books, magazine articles, and of course websites dedicated to us, the mothers who have decided to stay home (or have had it thrust upon them)! I think we need a blog.
For me, like with every decision I make, it came with lots of soul-searching and contemplating, not to mention budgeting. This blog is my journey to making that decision. My hope is that it will help other moms who are considering making this tremendous leap.
I don't quite know what to promise the reader about this blog. More about me, my family? More about making the transition to home? Recipes? Maybe all of the above. I hope someone out there in computer-land reads this, and we can learn together.
For me, like with every decision I make, it came with lots of soul-searching and contemplating, not to mention budgeting. This blog is my journey to making that decision. My hope is that it will help other moms who are considering making this tremendous leap.
I don't quite know what to promise the reader about this blog. More about me, my family? More about making the transition to home? Recipes? Maybe all of the above. I hope someone out there in computer-land reads this, and we can learn together.
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