Power to those who go it alone!

I would like to give a big shout out to those out there that are single and are raising a kiddo or are a stay-at-home parent. Yes I say parent because I know there are a lot of men out there that live this life and live it well!

I have been a temporary stay-at-home mom since my daughter was born October 29th. Now, while I am told she is a breeze of a baby, I still find myself running around like a crazy person some days. Those who say "you sleep when she sleeps" must be amazing at getting things done while their kiddos are awake because no lie, Brooklyn goes down for a nap and I sprint past the dogs to pick up toys, trip over pacifiers that have fallen on the ground to make bottles, dive into the shower with toothbrush in hand (multi-tasking in a must) and crash on the couch just in time to see baby girl stirring on the video monitor. Now, I don't know enough about my daughter's development to know what I should be doing with her but I kid you not I am already attempting to teach sign language, get her to crawl/walk, master bottle holding, and pet the puppies (she is 10 weeks old today). So needless to say, her wake time is busy busy. By the time her bed time rolls around I am pretty exhausted! Brooklyn goes to bed between 9pm and 10pm which, pre-Brooklyn, would be past my own bedtime (I am an old fuddy-duddy and I don't care who knows it). So there are a lot of nights when I am ready for bed at 7pm. If it is a weekend, I am blessed to have Bret around to help out, but during the week he works out of town so it's all me, all the time. (hence why you single parents out there, you are amazing!).... I feel like I should say I am not talking about those Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant people but that is probably a little rude so I will refrain. Now, with all that being said, I have to admit, I LOVE IT! I honest to goodness feel that people like me are meant to be parents. I have always loved having a million and one things on my plate. I feel like I thrive under pressure when I have to work 90 to nothing to get twice as many things done then seems humanly possible. Throw in trying to get my body back to a place where I don't throw up looking at it and eating right and getting ready to head back to work, my life is exactly where I want it to be. Crazy how that happens...

So how do I have time to write my blog post at this very moment you may ask? Simple...

After a shower (and bath for Brooklyn), our morning workout of squats, lunges, and ab work, two bottles and some TLC, home girl is passed out on my lap. The black blob on the left side of the picture is our puppy, Zamp, passed out and June, our other pup, is behind me wrapped around my waist (yes, my dog spoons me. and I like it).

Next Monday I return to work and Brooklyn will be heading off to daycare. This is my last week with baby girl which makes me sad. But, I feel going back to work will make me a better mom because I will cherish my time with Brooklyn even more when I get her back in my arms! (Remind me to review that thought after I have been at work a few weeks and let's see my take on it at that point - ha!)

But for now, I am about to plop miss thing down in her rocker and head off to finish taking down the Christmas tree (yes, Christmas decor is still up). With Bret in Denver this week, the heavy lifting is up to me! If you see a news headline with something to the effect of "Mom impelled by artificial tree," no worries, it's just me!

Brooklyn would say "bye" to you all but she is busy snoozing...