After my first child, I was one of those moms who had a hard time adjusting to the pace at home. Feeling “trapped” at home, and having no “life.” I still did a lot of work on the side and that is one thing I don’t recommend. I always felt stressed and pressured to do more. For me working at home just plain sucked. I didn’t do the job as good as I used to, and if I did, I didn’t pay enough attention to my son. It was a lose lose situation. I went back a little bit early after 11 months of being home (In Canada we get a year of Maternity leave–yes, I know it’s amazing) I started back part time–for a week, and then went back to full time.
Did I miss being home? Yes–But. But, I loved once again, going out for lunch, having a coffee in silence (this is before I become a true tea lover), being “important” and having my opinions mean something in the business world. My first son could not have cared less that I was leaving him at daycare because I’m fortunate enough to have my In Laws watch him. So it was the cat’s meow to go to grandma and grandpa’s all day. What was hard for me? He changed. He stopped being “my baby” and started to be his own little person. I missed a few of his firsts, like steps. THAT’S hard. I tell myself, that when he does it with me, it will be like a first, cause it’s the first time I’ve seen it. It’s also hard to let someone else essentially raise your child. They spend more time with them during waking hours then you do. And, quite frankly they don’t get paid enough in my opinion.

So if it was so hard to go back to work and leave my child in someone elses care WHY did I? Because, I am not a SAHM. I am good with the baby stage, but once they get older, they need different kids of stimulation and outings and quite frankly, I’m too lazy. I realized, that while I enjoyed my time at home, I enjoyed being back to work, not being hit, kicked, bit, spit on really works for me.

It also made me a better mom. I had more patience at the end of the day, and it is so wonderful to have your child super excited to see you.

And today, when I dropped of my not quite 11 month old son for his first day (half day) of daycare, I felt….good! I had been having anxiety about it for a week before I decided to come back early. This is my last baby, and once I go back, I can’t not go back. He will stop being my little baby and start being a little boy. I had this fear that he would think I was abandoning him–which I know logically I wasn’t. My second baby is much more attached to me, aka cries if I’m not there, even with the fabulous grandparents. But he didn’t cry once and did amazing today. And the best thing ever? I got the biggest snuggles for 5 whole minutes when I picked him up. He’d look at me, then hug me, then look at me, then hug me. It was so awesome.

The stat they post in the article says that,

Twenty years ago the average fashion runway model weighed 8% less than the average woman, today she weighs 23% less.

Now, you might say, well twenty years ago the average woman weighed less than she does today, and you may be right, but look at this photo.  This is a runway model who is likely forced to be anorexic to keep her size, and a Russian model who is a US size 12.

You be the judge, who is more beautiful?

To me, the “plus” sized model looks healthier and sexier.

So why as women do we only celebrate being sexy when we are “thin?”  here is another photo from the article:

Many women are not between size 6-8, and there is a lot of controversy as to what qualifies as a plus sized model these days. However, if you are healthy as in; you exercise regularly and eat sensibly, you may not look like models on the covers of cosmo and the like, but it does not mean you are not sexy. –holy run on sentence batman!  There are people out there who say that Plus Sized models support women being obese but the model makes the point that the industry should not support anorexia or obesity, and that beauty comes in various sizes.

Many women struggle after giving birth with reclaiming their sexuality because quite frankly their bodies are DIFFERENT.  Not worse, just different. They may have stretch marks AKA battle scars, saggy boobs or leaky boobs, deflated stomachs, C section scars and the list goes on—wow I’m making post baby bodies sound delightful, aren’t I? But keep in mind, we created another human being!  It’s not like you sat around on the couch for 9 months eating bon bons.  And we have to get our minds around that this may be our new “sexy” body, you have to work with what you’ve got.  Guess what, your husbands (if they are not assholes) still find you beautiful, even if you do not. It is harder to get back in shape after having a child but it is not impossible, but you must make yourself a priority.

Remember ladies, beautiful women come in all sizes, celebrate the sexy you now! Sometimes, some new sexy lingerie helps Just sayin’.

This past year has been eventful in my life.

We welcomed our second son into the world in June and it has rocked our world for the past 7 months.  He is a wonderful baby and it is so very true how each baby is different.  Having two kids has been a challenge to say the least, but it’s getting more amazing everyday! I had a wonderful friend throw me a beautiful baby shower after my son was born–see the second child needs new things too! I’ve made some amazing mom friends from my most recent birth club, and many of those friendships surpass the barrier that is the Internet.  I also still have a lot of close relationships from my first sons birth club way back in 2008, it’s amazing to know a lot of these women for 5 years. AND they are talking about getting together for a trip to Vegas–big trouble.

My three year old did not give me a coronary and FINALLY started to use the potty–when he turned three. I swear I didn’t see an end in sight.  He has also grown up so much in the past year and adjusted so well to his new brother.   AND I finally learned to cut his hair well, it was always pretty embarrasing each time I had cut his hair… it was always horrible. But now I just  bribe him with candy and he sits somewhat still– but YAY it finally doesn’t look like he did it himself.  He is beyond obsessed with all things spiderman, and he wouldn’t be three without an oddity, his favourite colour is purple, and he reminds me of this every day–about 5o times a day. 

I launched my tea blog, and finally have an outlet and a justification for the obscene amount of money I spend on tea. I took a trip to Chicago with my husband and had a fabulous time reconnecting–and spending money.

My mom moved across the country and retired and my sister who was always going to have a litter of children decided three was enough. All in all it’s been a fabulous year marked with ups and downs.

Health, Wealth and Happiness to you all!  I’m so hoping that the world will not end in 2012, but i’ll be brushing up on Jericho just in case.

 

Every year without fail I procrastinate Christmas, and each year I am less and less prepared.

Mind you this year I have two kids and not one.( prepare yourselves for the excuses) My husband has been gone away on business longer than he’s been here in the last 6 weeks and all my oldest has asked for, is a gun.  Now this isn’t Texas, it’s Winnipeg. He does NOT need a gun of any form. I wanted him to watch a Christmas story to see him “shoot his eye out” but he was less than impressed with the quality of my old ass movie.

So finally, my husband is in town and we’re not attending functions on Tuesday night (the 20th of December) and we went after work. big mistake.

My husband was in a less than chipper mood, as he had wanted to go during the day and I said no, at supper time would be less busy. He was right. shhhh don’t tell him I said that. It was brutal. We waited in line for an hour.  AND just before our turn (2 people before us) he informs us he has to pee. That’s right it was a Andrew in the snowsuit moment. I HAVE TO GO PEE! And did the dance and everything. So after the “look” between me and my husband, he runs the the bathroom with him and I begrudgingly let 3 people go ahead of us. Then he got back and all of a sudden saw santa and got super shy.  He wouldn’t talk to santa.  I know this may not be huge news for you moms with crying/screaming kids for Santa, but this kid has NEVER cried for santa.  (see photo’s below)

And he wouldn’t even talk to santa.  And someone should talk to the “elves” who ring the bells.  That just freaks the crap out of small babies. So after an hour in line, a pee break, a child who would not smile or talk to Santa. This is what we got:

Can you tell how impressed Santa is?  So after we all had a melt down at the mall, dad and I included, we decided to just go home and brood about it.  So I said, I cannot accept this as our photo this year.   So who dragged her ass to the mall today? December 23rd? This crazy one did.  I took both kids by myself to see Santa.  We missed my youngest’s nap time to go for 10ish, and about half way through the line guess who pulled an, “I have to go pee mom.”  See, we had gone just before we left the house, so I played hard ball and said if we go pee at the mall we can’t see santa so I’m very proud to say he held it. The boys did fantastic in the line for the 45 minutes it took.   My oldest gave a smile for the camera and my littlest one was smiling at me, and just as I moved back the DAMN elf rang the freaking bells.  She tried two more times but the first one was the best. I’m pretty ok with this one

 So from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!!