1.26.16 11

My 2 weeks of being a SAHM

I’ve been at my current job for 8 years and I’ve been on maternity leave now for 2 weeks. I finally get to put my feet up and relax now, right? What I envisioned as hours of napping and chilling on the couch while I wait for baby number 2 to arrive has been anything but…..and I wouldn’t trade it in for the world.

As my sister has been our nanny for our first child since the day she was born, we have been so fortunate to have someone live with us and always be there when we needed her. Now she’s gone and it’s just me! I must say that I am getting the hang of it, but it doesn’t come with its challenges. As I sit here, 39 weeks pregnant…patiently waiting for my water to break, or for contractions to hit, I am scared yet excited for the double duty (mainly because I’m so uncomfortable, I would take handling a newborn over the big belly that has taken over the front of my body).

Here’s a typical 24 hours:

My nights pretty much consist of tossing back and forth, going pee 2-3 times and periods of being wide awake and surfing the net just to fall back asleep again. Then, Charli will wake up around 7am and she is ready to hit the ground running! It’s play time for about 3 hours straight with a breakfast and snack somewhere in the mix. Then, if I’m lucky, I can get her down for a morning nap (which can be anywhere from 1-2 hours!) Score for mommy! This is where I take a shower, blog, or catch up on reality television….I SHOULD be napping, but sometimes I just want to get things done.

As much as I love playing tea time and Little People Princess castle, it’s nice to have a break.

IMG_1873

When she gets up, we have lunch and play again! I try to incorporate some sort of drawing or painting activity, so that we can work on her mechanical skills. I am so impressed by how much more she’s talking now in the last 2 months!

 

Usually by the 10th time she has asked me for a snack I start to get anxiety…..I mean, how much can a 2 year old actually eat in a day!? I try to get a variety of foods for her so that I’m not giving her the same snacks everyday. Luckily she loves fruits, so I offer those to her most of the time.

Again, we go down into the basement to play again. Luckily we just finished it a couple of months ago, so it makes a great playroom. Alas, me and another flight of stairs to have to go up and down all day while I’ve got an extra 30 pounds on me!

 

And then there is the occasional snuggle session…..when she should be put into her bed to take a nap, I take full advantage of her sleeping right next to me. After all, we only have a couple days left of her being my only child. As far as I’m concerned, this is the best part of the day when I do allow it.

image1

Then by 6:30pm, daddy usually comes home! I’m so excited to have a REAL person to talk to (adult conversation that doesn’t involve Peppa the Pig, Caillou or Mickey Mouse talk!) We have small talk about how our day went, but I’m usually busy cooking dinner or cleaning up dishes from earlier on, or toys off the floor.

Her bathtime (which she ALWAYS asks for) is around 7:30-8:00pm. Mommy always gives her a bath, so its just part of my routine that I’ve gotten used to. Then we try to settle down by reading some books in her bedroom. If she can be asleep by 9:00pm, it’s a good night. That gives daddy and I about an hour to get chores done: laundry, cat food/litter, trash taken out, etc.

image1

I usually have had a shower, but still have not done my hair or makeup (unless I ACTUALLY left the house that day!). I look like a frumpy housewife with a huge belly. I know that it will be so different in about a week. Will I be frumpier? LOL

My visions of being a SAHM are less glamorous than I envisioned, but very rewarding at the same time. I cherish the time I get to spend with my child and hope that my husband is proud of me at the end of the day. It’s easier to go to a physical job site and not have to worry about being creative, fun or entertaining to a small child. These last 2 weeks have proved that I can transition from corporate world to domestic goddess! I can do it! I can’t wait to see what next week brings!! I will post all about it!

What has been the biggest adjustment to your life when you became a SAHM or SAHD?

-Kim

 

 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

11 Comments

  1. Sounds like you definitely have your hands full! I totally relate… I have a 2yo and I’m 38 weeks pregnant AND still running my business! Never a dull moment, right? 😉

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
    • Yes! You know where I’m coming from, for sure! Best wishes on your new little bundle!!!

      Published 1.28.16
      Reply
  2. natapag wrote:

    I gave up a professional job to be a SAHM for 6 years ago. I still get the “what do you do all day” comments…I just roll my eyes. Unless you’ve been in this position, no one would know how much work it actually is!

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
    • It is! Trying to be creative with your kid(s) all day and coming up with new snacks/recipes is tough! ?

      Published 1.28.16
      Reply
  3. I feel like I got so much more done when I worked full time. It’s so odd…

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
  4. Shann Eva wrote:

    I have stayed home with my boys since my first one was born over 6 years ago. I did do some part-time work here and there, just for a break and to talk to some adults 🙂 My oldest is now in school, so I am home with my 3-year-old twins. We joined a gym, so they can go to childcare and mommy gets a workout. It’s definitely the hardest job I’ve ever had…and most rewarding!

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
    • Wow, you’re super mom! Great job! And that’s great that you can get to the gym and there’s a childcare center…. You need your mommy time too!

      Published 1.28.16
      Reply
  5. Whitney wrote:

    Haha! Yes being a stay at home mom is a lot different than I imagined it would be. But it’s the best job in the world. Good luck with everything! And seriously, try to nap while you can before baby #2 gets here! 🙂

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
  6. Lisa wrote:

    I’m jealous that your 2 year old still takes two naps. My 18 month old is at a solid single nap.

    Published 1.28.16
    Reply
    • I think she’s slowly going down to 1 nap nowadays. But we had a great run while it lasted!! Lord knows we need those mommy breaks!

      Published 1.28.16
      Reply