Cuteday Tuesday

This photo makes me smile every time I look at it. My husband is such a great dad. Here's the daddy and his daughter on Father's day.

Happy Cuteday! Love,

Momma on the Move

My company is having a Walking Health Contest starting today (counts steps). You can convert other forms of exercise into steps. The best part is if I average so many steps a day I get a gift card to an athletic store. I'm signed up! I'm very motivated to do this goal. I need new running shoes. I'm looking forward to earning this shoes through exercise, rather then just buying them myself.

My personal goal to make up any steps I'm short for the day by running each night. Six weeks to go. I can do it!

My life is very busy. Can I add throw another thing for me to do each day.... sure ;)

This momma is on the move.

Cuteday Tuesday

When's the last time you went "WEE!!!" ?

Happy Cuteday Tuesday!

Daycare Hodgepodge

A few this and that thoughts that have been rolling around in my head regarding daycare.

1) One day last week I picked up Teagan. While though I got to her daycare 10 minutes before they close, Teagan was the last kid there. I feel bad when she is the last kid. Mom Guilt! Sorry Sweet Tea! I love you so much!!!

2) Everyday, I ask Teagan how school was. Lately she has the same 2 replies.

- "N", where N is the name of her bff at school (a boy...oooh). The conversation is as follows:
Momma: "Teagan what did you do today?"
Teagan: "N"
I'm thankful she's innocent and doesn't realize the other meaning of her reply. Her daddy and I look at each other and laugh.

-"Colored purple." Its always purple, no red, or blues. Just purple, everyday.


3) The daycare Teagan attends is wonderful! They do so much with her, from teaching to activities to crafts. She comes home loaded with worksheets (colors, numbers, letters, opposites, shapes, etc.) and all different kinds of artwork. I am constantly changing out what I post on our pantry doors.

I often wonder, would Teagan get the same experience if I was a stay at home mom. I'm not so crafty and wouldn't have even thought to do school work with her yet. My mom has reassured me that if I was a fulltime stay at home mom I would research age appropriate activities and learning exercises. I would make it my job. Who knows. I'm very thankful we found the daycare we have now.


Love,

Periodic Review

I once read, don't make rash decisions. Set a date. Try whatever you're doing until that date then review your situation. This works me.

I didn't realize how much being a working mom would affect me pre kids. I had planned on being a fulltime working mom. I like working and being challenged.

Phase 1: Around the time Teagan was 8 months old, my work/life balance was off. I was overwhelmed, tired, and sad. I tried the 5 days a week thing...not for me. I set a date, tried it out, and made a decision to change.

Phase 2: I started a compressed work schedule with every other Friday off (still fulltime). I set another date (6 months), tried it out, and made a decision to change. Compressed schedules are crazier then M-F weeks.

Phase 3: I went part time (32 hour weeks, every Friday off). I set a date (June 2012), and tried it out. Here's my review:

I finally feel balanced. 4 day work weeks are really working out. I get to do the job I love, but I still feel like a mom.

Teagan and I do so many things on our Fridays from mommy and me classes, to "field trips", to special girl only lunches, to singing and learning, and on and on.

I have time to clean and get my todo list done (its amazing how productive I am in the 2 hours Teagan naps on Fridays). This allows me to have more quality time with my whole family (husband included) on the weekends.

Work - well I'm busy! I feel like I have the same work load but just less time to do it. I tell my boss that the company is getting more per dollar out of me.

This periodic review has no change. I found a schedule that fits me.

Love,

They Grow Up Just Right

Often I hear "she's growing up so fast," (referring to my daughter). Sometimes I just agree the person, but honestly I don't. Maybe when she's 18 and moving out of my house I will wonder where the time went, but not today.

I remember thinking when Teagan was a newborn and we were up all hours of the night that 1 year was soooooo far away. When Teagan was finally 6 month's old I said "I can't believe we made it to 6 months" to her daycare owner. She looked in shocked and laughed. The first six months went by sloooooowly and I'm not complaining.

We really try to take in each age. Each stage is my favorite. We love to watch Teagan learn and grow and  we love to see her bubbly personality blossom. Bret and I talk about all the things she can do as she gets older and the things we can share with her.

I try to make the most of every minute I have with Teagan. Our Fridays off are packed with fun things to do.  I don't want to look back and think the time has gone. I want to look back and think of all the memories we made. And to imagine all possibilities the future holds.

Teagan is my daughter, a piece of my heart, and her own person. She's growing up just right.

Love,

Cuteday Tuesday

Teagan has started tattling. So far its only been about her Daddy.

The other day, her dad put something up that she wasn't suppose to play with. She came to me and repeatedly said "Dad put up" in a whinny voice. It was so hard not to laugh....okay, I did laugh. The way she pouted "Daaaaad' was too cute. This went on till she went to bed. The next morning she told me the same thing "Dad put up." She was still holding a grudge against him.

A few days later, her daddy turned off the TV. Teagan did not like this. Micky Mouse House was on.  Teagan cried to me "Dad TV off."

I like that she tattles on Dad and not me...yet. Of course I support her daddy in his parenting decisions. I bet Teagan will quickly learn tattling on Dad to me won't get her anywhere. Well, except for a few smiles and hugs.

Happy Cuteday.

A Cuteday wouldn't be complete without a photo:

Touchdown!