Confessions of My 4th Year of Motherhood

This is one of my favorite posts that I get to write and it’s hard to believe it’s my 4th!!!!

Read my prior posts here:

Confessions of my 1st Year

Confessions of my 2nd Year

Confessions of my 3rd Year

I love reflecting over my time as a mother remembering the time together growing, learning and laughing.  There’s a lot of opinions out there on how a Mamma should be and how they should raise their children. 

I’ve chosen to seek God in my areas of question, trusted friends and my gut.  Me as a Mamma and Vivian as my daughter are unique from everyone else.  The way I do things are just for us and while I am always wanting to improve I have to avoid trying to make our time look or be like anyone else’s.

There are a lot of things that have stayed the same throughout my motherhood journey like keeping to a strict schedule (she still naps every single day!), I’m in an outfit every day (leggings are NOT pants so yes I am at home in jeans), I don’t bathe her nearly enough, neither of us enjoy meal time, and I love to dress us alike, especially on Sundays for church.

Yes, motherhood changes things but I have found that it’s more of an addition to the person I was before. Being a Mamma is a privilege and I strive to be the one God made me to be.

Here are my confessions from my 4th year of Motherhood:

1. I'm a Morning Mamma

I wake up at 5am every day.  This gives me 2 hours of quiet, uninterrupted time to read my Bible, blog, eat breakfast and do chores.  Having this time to myself prepares me to be dedicated to her when she hollers ‘Mommy’ when she’s ready for me to come and get her.

2. I Work Behind the Scenes

Vivian is in preschool 5 days a week from 9-1pm.  She also naps for 2 hours when she gets home.  These times along with my morning time gives me ample opportunity to do the tasks I need to do so they don’t take away from time together.  I find it’s not only challenging to try to be productive alongside her but it prevents me from being present with her. I do think it’s important for her to see the chores involved in maintaining our home and to let her be a little helper. I just make it a point to ‘work’ without her.

3. I Choose Together Over Tech

Technology is amazing and I’m grateful for it every day. However, I find that it can be addicting preventing us from being present.  We decided after our last trip in August to eliminate screen time from Vivian.  She was very limited but when she had it she was mesmerized. We noticed she was more joyful and creative without it. I can still accomplish things, she’s just learned to play nearby. I find that I’m better when I limit it for me too! We introduced it back just recently with a timer and we hand select the programs. But most days she goes without. 

We both benefit from putting the screens down and having our eyes up.

4. I Take the Trips

I celebrated turning 38 last April with a girls trip to Florida (first big vacation following the pandemic).  As I was walking the beach one early morning I realized how wonderful and important it is to go places and do things. This can be very challenging for me as I thrive on a structured schedule. I made it a goal to take as many trips and to go do fun things as much as possible.  And gals, I did! I took 10 trips! Most were with my gal pals, two as a family and 1 each with just Ryan and just Vivian. I worried for nothing. Vivian travels wonderfully and still follows her routine (including her naps most importantly)! 

Home is easy and comfortable but the adventures and memories made are priceless! We’ve already scheduled several trips for 2022 (I even took one this past weekend!). Taking Vivian to the beach just us two at the end of last Summer was my favorite!!! It has me wanting to make it a tradition for us. Maybe it’s the beach or maybe it’s somewhere new each year, I’m not sure. But I do know I loved our little Mommy and Me getaway and look forward to that time away just her and I every year.

5. I Abort the Plan

I will abandon my to-do list or plan to pick her up and go to the playground, water fountain, library or play the game. It has been fun being a Mamma that says “you know what, yes we can”.  I’ve learned that dropping what I had planned, while it does make me readjust, is far more fun. I have to postpone tasks and make a quick dinner but it’s worth it!

6. I'm a Dance Mom

My Mamma had dance parties with us, often while we played dress up, all the time. Now I get to have them with my darling. We have them throughout our home but my favorite is in my closet seeing her adored in all my things. 

She also started taking tap & ballet lessons so I am a legit #dancemom

7. I do it all for Love

Sigh my Mamma’s bunny had babies and Vivian fell in love with one over the Summer. My Mamma was insistent on gifting her to Vivian.  This is a prime example that I will do (almost) anything to bring my Mamma and my darling happiness. Vivian now has a pet bunny, Ethel. I absolutely did NOT want a pet, EVER.  I am not an animal person and despise the mess they create. But here we are.

The things we do for those we love.

8. I'm Clean over Creative

Gracious does our darling love crafts. Her Mamma however does not. Nor do I like mess of any kind. I have upped our supplies to include a bigger box of crayons, scissors (per her teacher’s recommendation) and paint (gifted). I’m basically everything that Pinterest isn’t. So I praise preschool for all they do in filling the creative role for me.

9. I Choose Al Fresco Always

I try to be outside as much as possible. Maybe it’s all the years I spent in an office or me turning more and more into my own Mamma but I just find so much peace and happiness outside.  We take the toys, games, activities and lots of pretend play outside. 

10. I Have Fun

I get in there and play. It’s much more fun that just observing. Sure I try and sneak in photos to capture the moment but being in the moment, that’s something a camera can’t capture. I love being silly and participating with Vivian. 

That also means I suit up in the Summer. It’s hard, very hard. BUT children don’t care about body imperfections and I refuse to let them stop me from splashing! 

This is just a glimpse into the past year. It's impossible to encompass it all. 

Being Vivian Louise's mother is a gift! I want to honor it with love each and every year.

Dress Beautifully in Motherhood

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Cheer Squad

They say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes one to raise a mother. 

Friends are important. Call them a tribe, gang, village, posse, homies, or what I use, cheer squad! We aren't made to journey alone but rather God gave us one another to bear each others burdens, celebrate the blessings and to love as He loved us!

When Vivian started preschool at just 21 months old I heard about a group called 'MOPS', Mothers of Preschoolers. It's national so if you're a mother of young children, I encourage you to look to see if there's one that meets near you. I was hesitant but knew deep down I had to try. I was LONELY! I was LOST! I had decided to take a break from my career to be with Vivian and had no clue how to navigate this new season.

I remember picking out my outfit to meet these new gals for our first meeting, being nervous about what I'd say and what they'd think of me. Turns out they're all Mammas doing their best just like me.  We are all so unique that it makes for well rounded perspectives and lots of laughs! 

It's been 2 years now with this group of Mammas and despite the circumstances we've stuck together meeting virtually, in backyards and even in a parking lot. 

I want to share with you just a few pieces of encouragement I've received from my MOPS cheer squad ...

1. Have Fun 

Life is to be enjoyed. Make sure despite the responsibilities and to-do's you have fun. Children are a lot of work but they're also a lot of fun. Do the things that make you smile and laugh. 

2. You're Doing God's Work

Raising children is challenging. Give it ALL to Him for strength, patience, endurance and guidance through it!

3. Chose Joy Over Perfection

Let's be real, I'm a type A person that thrives in control and within my perfectly defined schedule. I'm literally giggling because life just doesn't go they way I plan it to. It's not picture perfect, but it is perfectly & purposefully designed for me. A happy Mamma who chooses to do things that bring joy over an expectation of how & what things should be shares that joy with her family. 

4. Give Grace

Give grace to yourself, your children and to others! 

5. Do it ALL in Love

Whether it is the chores, errands, playtime, or fellowship, fill your words and actions with love and gratitude. Think about it with the perspective that you 'get to' rather than 'have to'. Be a blessing to those around you. Share God's love!

Dress Beautifully with Your Cheer Squad

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Toys for Three Year Olds

 TGIF! Gals, Praise Him from whom these blessings of sunny warm weather flow!

airplane watching

My productivity has been terrible but my time outside has been joyful ... It may not be 'balanced' but it sure is fun :)

You know what else is fun?? Getting to play all over again.  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about actually playing with my child, and to be honest was quite discouraged when folks would make comments like 'if you only have one kid you'll always have to be their playmate'. Gee thanks Karen for your unsolicited opinion and I can't have more children and am completely content with our family size thank you very much! Rant over.

Back to playing ... Life as a grown up is full of responsibilities and getting to let it all go and be silly is what makes it worth living.  I will say Vivian is in school 5 days a week so I'm not her sole playmate.  She is also so precious at playing independently (I love to spy on her & eavesdrop on her chats with her babies). 

Since Christmas & her birthday are a mere 3 days apart there was a huge influx of toys in our house. She's also matured to using more advanced toys for learning and development.

Even if you don't have kids or a girl, you can use this post as a gift guide or to just awww at the cute pictures! 

Here are some of Vivian's favorite toys at 3 years old .....

She loves to be like her Mamma and carry a purse. This one came with lots of play makeup.

Her favorite is to put it on daddy!! This was her first purse.

It looks and feels real but isn't.

BOOKS! My darling girl LOOOOOVES books. It's what she plays with most ... every where! 

This set is so much fun.  The tablet reads along to each one. 

Eric Carle has been her favorite books since she was a baby.

It's so sweet to see her pretend to read just like Mamma and her teacher.

I love reading her classic Little Golden Books just like I was read to as a child.

Velveteen Rabbit is another classic story she loves.

Teepee

such a fun little tent to read and play in

This carrying case with little animals is one of her favorites.

Lakeshore learning is one of the absolute best resources!

Gracious this gal loves dinosaurs! She's named these Petey, Sister & Mamma LOL

I'm pretty sure I found these at the dollar store. 

Small figurine toys while simple are fun for them to play make believe with.

I'm the most jazzed to share with you about Maileg! This is a European company that makes very unique little mice and accessories. They are small and allow children to use their imaginations. Very similar to toy dolls. Vivian got a classic mouse in a matchbox along with a cradle & dessert tea set for her birthday. We added on to her collection with a Princess & the pea castle set for Valentines day and this baby bunny & this cot since she loves the story of Baby Moses in a basket.

I may add something else for Easter. 

If you are local to Charlotte Fable is a sweet shop in Blacklion that sells tons of Maileg & other precious things!

These toys will grow with her for several years.

They are also great to take with you to places such as Grandma's or vacation.

You can incorporate them with other toys such as a dollhouse or Barbie accessories.

PS Bandaids are fun too

Dollhouse - this was a gift and I couldn't find it online but small houses are so fun.

Magnetic dress up dolls - she can sit down and play this for an hour

changing their outfits over and over 

I wonder where she learned this?? :)

Never ever stop playing dress up!

My gal pal gave her this Elsa gown for her birthday, I love to watch her play and parade in it like it's no big deal.

I adore this set of dress up skirts (they're so easy to wear over clothes) & dress up shoes

I let Vivian wear them to the mall one day and to make wishes in the fountain.

It tickled me to let her do it ... these are the things I cherish.

Passing down costume jewelry or finding it at thrift shops is a great way to build up their dress up accessories.

BABIES!!! 

Vivian's a little Mamma to all her dolls. 

She has this ballerina, classic soft doll, small baby, and goodnight baby.

Tip: newborn clothes can serve as doll clothes. Some of her baby swaddles and accessories can also be used to play with baby dolls.

Carriages are a joy to push her babies in (along with lots of other toys and treasures)

She got her first Barbies this year. She loves to play pretend with them.

There's A LOT of tiny parts (I've organized them in these clear zipper pouches).

Vivian is now old enough to play games - we're still working on following the rules but the point is to have fun and she has a ton! Hungry Hungry Hippos is a good first game.

Bed Bugs!

When it comes to art, we use the Color Wonder markers! They don't color on anything but the special paper. I'm complete opposed to mess! This activity table has been great for art and learning. You can purchase cards for a variety of topics.

Outside is our favorite place to play! Her dolls love it too. 

Vivian's tricycle

This playhouse is the BEST! She actually received it for her 2nd birthday but the play has just grown over time. We made a base floor out of plywood and added peel & stick laminate on top to create a nice clean surface for her.

Not all toys are 'toys'.  Seashells and rocks make great pretend food.

She made me a pizza this morning before school.

We use her beach toys to play with in our garden & backyard.

Bubbles = Happiness!

Dress Beautifully & PLAY!

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Confessions of my 3rd Year of Motherhood

 Three! For 3 wonderful years I've been a mother and gracious they've been as joyful as can be! 

I shared with you my 'confessions' of my first year of motherhood and my second and now here I am writing about my 3rd. Babies don't keep gals! 

They say nothing can truly prepare you for the journey of motherhood, but after this past year we can all agree on how true that really is for everyone.  Unprecedented circumstances covered our world and certainly reshaped our plans but I'm grateful for it.  God allowed it to happen and the blessings that came out weigh the negatives. 

A lot of things have stayed the same since the beginning, I still abide by a VERY strict schedule, wake up at 5am for 'me time', coordinate our outfits every Sunday for church (and any other occasion I can), constantly capture her beauty and I cover her with kisses all day every day.

Confessions of My 3rd Year of Motherhood:

1.  I Sometimes Skirt the Rules

    I've tried to choose joy over perfection to allow for more fun in our days. So, once in a while I lay out a blanket on our living room floor and we have a picnic dinner. I allow her to eat things I swore I never would like sweets, prepackaged food and chick-fil-a (she loves 'carpool chicken nuggets'). I also let her wear costumes to the store, play with non-toy items out of drawers/shelves so that I can get something done and watch just one more cartoon.  Turns out, no harm was done and laughter was had by all!

2. I'm Not Above Bribery

    A gummy candy, sticker or wearing one of Mommy's necklaces in order to produce pee in the potty, so be it! 

3. I've Created a Mini SL

    Imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery.  Seeing her do the things that I do is so sweet and entertaining.  Vivian is her own girl, but I admit my heart smiles seeing her be girlie playing dress up, pretend makeup, accessorizing and exercising just like Mommy does! 

Go ahead and add Ryan to your prayer list.

4. I Delegate

    There are things that come with mothering that I don't enjoy (truth for each and every one of us) so I delegate those as much as I can. Crafting and bathing are two in particular. For her entire life she's been bathed at most once a week (don't even judge me). It's an extra chore and it's great time to spend with Daddy :)  I've never liked arts and crafts. It's messy, requires supplies/storage and I'm anti 'stuff' in my house. I don't have the patience. You won't see me creating busy activities, although there was that one time I made a sensory box. So I leave all the pretty art work for her teachers at school to make with her.  Although, this Summer I did try to do some ... outside!

5. Preschool is My Best Medicine

    I shout Praise for our preschool!  I was on pins and needles this Summer hoping school would be in session for us. Thank the good Lord for the blessing that it is. Vivian goes 5 days a week from 9:15-1 and it's a short 1 mile from home allowing for me to optimize every minute. And that I do! 

It's a physical and mental gift that truly has me feeling my best.  I can be alone and productive. 

It's also a wonderful time of fun and learning for her.

6. I'm a Carpool Circus Act

    While she does get to go to school, it is different in its policies. One being mandatory carpool for all students and as I just shared though we are only 1 mile away we leave 15 minutes early to get a front spot in line for drop off each morning. Those 15 minutes can be really long! So I've become quite the entertainer singing songs like a chorus girl, jamming out to music with a little dance, making sure we're primped with lipgloss and occasionally a FaceTime or youtube video. More thoughts on carpool on this post.

7. I Go to Time Out

    In addition to the time I get from school, Vivian still takes naps every afternoon.  During that time I am in 'Do not disturb' mode.  I will rarely answer the phone and focus on doing the things I can do at home that I can't do while she's awake. I also take a time out and leave town for a long weekend with my gal pals several times a year. Thanks to my sisters who help care for Vivian (Ryan works every single weekend #marriedtomedicine) I pack my bags to enjoy a few days of adult conversation, cheers and lots of laughs. I come back refreshed and usually with a present or two for my darling.  As much fun as I have I miss her every moment I'm away. #momlife 

8. I'm a Team Player

    Vivian has become my partner, sidekick, assistant or buddy. Whatever you want to call it, she's alongside me for my workouts, cooking, cleaning, primping and errands. She counts my exercises and tries to do them alongside me. Let's be real I'm anti-cooking but since Ryan's home maybe 4 nights a month I must and she will help me by stirring and pushing the buttons on the microwave (that's the extent of my culinary skills). She can dust, make piles of laundry, pretend with makeup brushes and happily sits in the buggy as we shop the aisles of Target and the grocery store. 

She's great company with her sweet smile and helpful hands.

9. I Do it All Outside

    As long as there's not a drop in the sky or temps below 50 I take our activities outside. We have a very large patio and backyard that we can pretty much take any indoor task out to. Whatever we do inside: reading, toys, coloring or even computer work, are much more fun under the sun.

10. I'm a Creeper

    During nap and at the end of the day I always have her video monitor by my side. I watch her snuggled up with her bunnies sound asleep.  I also capture her beauty constantly, because to me she's the prettiest thing I've ever seen, and scroll through my photos each night in admiration of her. I also share them with my IG & FB world and I'm not sorry about it. I cherish each image and hope as she grows older she will too. 

It's hard to put my life as a Mamma into words but I hope these 10 fun facts from this past year gave you a giggle or two whether it's in solidarity or entertainment. Life is to be enjoyed. And that my friends is what I am aiming to do each and every day. I may not be a cool Mamma and I'm certainly far from perfect but I am a happy Mamma.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you God for the blessing of being a Mother, Amen.

Thank you to Ryan for loving me, supporting me and being the very best Daddy!

Thank you to my sisters and gal pals for encouraging me every step of the way.

A very special thank you to my Mamma, for being my Mamma.

Dress Beautifully in Motherhood

XOXO Sarah-Louise