The working mom

So I never really thought about what people would think of me being a working mom until I became one. Is it really that big of a deal to have a child and work outside of the home? Apparently it is. I don't think it is, but apparently it is. And I don't have a problem with it (obviously, since I had a child and chose to return to work), but apparently there are people out there that do have a problem with it. Why, I'm not exactly sure, but whatever.

Anyway, a friend posted a link to this article on her Facebook page, and it's too good not to share. It's titled "What not to say to a working mom." And yes, I've already had people say some of these things to me, and I haven't even been back at work for two weeks yet. Crazy but true! I chose to return to work for a variety of reasons, mainly because I love what I do. I really do. I miss my baby girl like crazy each and every day, but it makes going home that much more worth it. Plus, it's incentive to actually leave the office on time every day. After all, work will still be here tomorrow! :)

So keep these things in mind the next time you run into a working mom. We're just as hardworking, caring, and loving as moms who stay at home.

Happy New Year!

I say the same thing every time around this time of year... "where has the year gone?" It's hard to believe that 2012 is over already. And what a year it's been! It was an amazing year for us, culminating in the most amazing way... with the birth of our daughter. Who could ask for more? We're all healthy and happy and that's it doesn't get any better than that.

As I reflect on this year, I think about a lot of things. Being pregnant (obviously), and the ups and downs that come with that. I remember like it was yesterday the day I took the pregnancy. I woke Jay up early in the morning and told him that the pregnancy test "thought" I was pregnant. To this day he has not let me live that down and probably never will. As he says, "either you're pregnant or you're not." Sometimes those at-home pregnancy tests are wrong! But not this time!

It was a great year at work. I have an incredible team that I work with, and that makes my job so much easier each and every day. It's not very often that people can say that they have great co-workers, a wonderful boss, and a truly good organization or company that they work for. But I do, and I'm really lucky. I'm looking forward to what 2013 has to offer.

I made the (crazy) decision to run for city council and lo-and-behold, I was elected. What a trip that has been so far. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be an elected official, and I definitely don't want to make a career out of it, but it's been pretty good so far. I love Clear Lake Shores and I want to help make this little slice of paradise a better place to live. Hopefully that's what I'm doing.

Do you make new year's resolutions? I find that they just set me up for failure, so I usually don't. I just look forward to what the upcoming year has to bring, and I know this year will be even better! Overall, I have no regrets from 2012. How could I?! I hope you all had a great 2012 as well. I wish you a prosperous and healthy 2013, and I hope all your wishes come true!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

One month

It's hard to believe that our daughter arrived in our lives one moth ago today. When people told us to enjoy it now because time flies, they weren't kidding! Where did the time go?!?! We've loved every second of it, and continue to each day.

It seems like just yesterday. I remember that day like it was yesterday. And hopefully I will remember it just like that for the rest of my life. I'll be honest... I was a bit fearful of the labor and delivery part. I had no idea what to expect. And for those of you that know me, you know I don't deal well with pain. So I was a nervous wreck. I worked myself up into a tizzy several times, and for what? Nothing, really. It was no where near the dreadful experience that I had thought up in my head. And I'd do it all over again to have the precious gift that we have now. A beautiful baby girl.

It's amazing, and truly a blessing, to become a parent. Some days I still can't grasp the reality of it. It's something I've dreamed of for so long, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would feel like this. I'm sure there are going to be days when I just want to crawl under a rock and hide, but so far, it really has been the greatest experience of my life. It's life changing, no doubt about it. And I wouldn't change it for anything.

The waiting game

Baby Fenwick is due to arrive this Friday, Nov. 16. As we all know, babies have a mind of their own and will come when they want to come. So, we play the waiting game. And for those of you that know me, you know that I'm not a very patient person. So this waiting game is not exactly my cup of tea. Especially because I am (technically) off work this week, and don't have all that much to do, so sitting around the house doesn't exactly work for me. And when I say "technically" off work, I started my maternity leave today, but will be going in a couple days for a short amount of time to interview candidates for a position that reports to me. I thought it would be odd to have someone join my staff that I didn't get to interview or who didn't get to meet me. Just my opinion.

If any of you moms out there have tips for me as to what I can do to keep myself busy these days, or tips on how to make labor happen, please, by all means, share! I've tried walking, sitting on a ball, squats, cleaning the house... nothing has worked so far. But at this point it's not about me, right? It's about when the baby wants to come... little does he or she know, but mama wants him or her to decide it's time to join the world!

Baby Shower

So Jay and I have some pretty amazing friends. CK, JK, KK, CK, PB, and TW threw us a kick ass baby shower party over the weekend, and we loved every second of it (even the part where we had to be the center of attention and open presents in front of everyone).

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate baby Fenwick (and even those of you far away who couldn't be there... you were there in spirit!). We are so blessed to have friends and family like you in our lives, and baby Fenwick is pretty lucky, too.

Here are a couple pictures from the day.

The sweets table. Yum!

The AMAZING diaper cake!

We even got personalized water bottles. So cute!

The food spread was freaking awesome!

My wonderful, amazing, talented friends who know how to throw a kick-ass baby shower.

Thank you ladies! We love you!

Happy momma and daddy!

Proud grandparents

Proud grandma

Me and Robyn... one of my dear friends from high school.

So glad she joined us! 

Our adorable niece Ella. She'll be getting a cousin in a few months!

Love you CK!

Love you KK!

Look out! Ella actually let Uncle Jay hold her!

 Yep, we were so rowdy that we had to have not one, not two, but THREE officers there!  :)

CK writing us a message in the bottle. Such a cute idea and we loved them all!

 One of the cutest ideas of a present we have ever seen... a clothesline full of baby stuff.