So What Exactly Do Moms Do All Day?

Before I became a mom I worked full time (and often over-time) in a stressfull position as a night cardiac RN. Before that I worked, went to school full time, and served in a very involved church calling. Before that I was a high school student taking college classes, working, and involved in any clubs, plays, or activities I could jam into my tight schedule. I've been this way my whole life, wanting to achieve much and be successful while at the same time not missing out on anything. So before I became a mom I am guilty to say that I was one of those idiots who wondered what stay-at-home-moms did all day. Before having Callie I worried I would become depressed over "having nothing to do"..... Boy did that thought come back and kick me in the hind end. After having Callie I went through the shock of "Wow I'm not getting any sleep, I'm super emotional, and somehow I am supposed to be functional and take care of a baby and a husband." I quickly learned that the title "Stay-at-Home-Mom" was a little more complicated than feed baby, change baby, put baby to sleep, and then have nothing to do all day. I cried when my mom left me. My mother-in-law came to help afterwards, and then we flew to AZ and had help, but I had no idea how I was going to make it after all of the help was gone. Callie had a hard time napping, I had breast feeding issues, sometimes she would not eat, and then she would become hysterical making the whole deal even rougher. Those first 6 weeks were pretty rough. Well, finally after lots of prayers, the day came and Callie started sleeping longer stretches during the night, and I was able to become more of a human again. My emotions stabilized and I started figuring out Callie's needs and how to address them before she became a hysterical ball of tears.

Now that things have stabilized I am loving this special calling in life. I take care of the people I love the most. Callie is my bud and after we play, or while she sleeps, I am able to take care of house chores and then sometimes have time to develop talents I never had much time to before. I am making better friendships and learning about all of the neat places I have been missing out on. For example, my friend Rebecca Jones recently introduced me to this park called Hawk Island. It is awesome...has a paved running trail, splash pad, lake, fishing, playground, and other fun goodies. So last Saturday I had to take my husband and Callie. Here are the picts below.

Callie inititaly was not a big fan of the water. Of course, being the cruel parents we are, we laughed and put her in even further. She eventually got use to it and seemed pretty okay being the shark as I reenacted a shark attack on Dad.



The Thursday before this, I met up with a whole other group of women at Lake Lansing. Good times.

Below are our friends, Rebecca (holding Peter) on the left and Keely on the right.

I am also trying to learn the art of baby fashion. Below Callie is displaying her lovely hat from Grandma Crandell. Thanks grandma...we need all the hair help we can get!

For the 4th we went to Grand Rapids and had a BBQ with Casey and some people in his ward. Below is a picture of cousin Paige and Callie sporting off their festive 4th of July outfits.

Oh and of course I turned a whopping 24. Man I am getting old. I never imagined my life past 21! Steven took me to Red Robin for my lucky day, fixed my watch, and got me the game Settlers of Catan!