Working mom vs. SAHM

I recently got into a fairly heated argument/discussion about working moms and sahms.  I guess as a working mom, I can honestly say how jealous I am of sahms.  Yes, it is incredibly hard work, but I don't think I have ever done something as rewarding as being a mom.  As a working mom, I can already feel the tension beginning as the new school year approaches.  Rob has stated that he prefers '" summer Ellen."  I think of the rushing out the door, the crazed evenings, the late nights grading papers and doing paperwork.  I get sad looking at the park district brochure and seeing all these cool things to do with your kids...and guess when they are...during the flipping day!  Helpful.  I guess since I am a working mom, it is all I know and maybe we always want what we can't have.  I will say that being home with my kids this summer was super hard..but you know what, I didn't take one minute of it for granted that is for sure.  And I try to think of daycare as a great opportunity for my kids.  Jordan has an awesome vocabulary and good social skills and I attribute that to her exposure to other kids.  Brooke is also pretty easygoing and willingly goes to others.  There are two distinct camps though I am beginning to see...sahms look at working moms a certain way and vice versa.  I mean no disrespect to sahms, but our challenges are very, very different.  I am lucky that I am a teacher...it is a good "working mom" job.  I will just keep plugging away and hope that I am laying a good foundation for my kids and that they never regret me not being the room mom or the one that goes on fieldtrips. 

Six Month Stats...a little late

I completely forgot to post Brooke's statistics from her six month appointment...so drumroll please....

Height...26 inches
Weight 16 lbs. 1 oz
Head Circumference 16.75 inches

Six Months!!

My sweet, sweet angel was six months yesterday.  I forgot how much I love this age.  This peanut is the best baby ever.  She is calm, goes with the flow, mellow, and a doll baby.  She can sit up independently, roll whereever she wants (hang on for a story....), reach for toys, put everything in her mouth, talk and coo and make raspberries!  She sleeps ok at night..usually 8-4:30-5 and naps twice..a little finicky on the naps.  She still takes about 6 ounces but has a breakfast and dinner of fruit/veggies and oatmeal.  She adores her sister and lights up our world.  She makes our family complete. 

As far as the rolling story...we ended up in the ER yesterday.  I took both girls to Glenview alone to the Kohls Children's museum.  We had a wonderful time and visited the restroom on the way out to do potty for Jor and diaper change for B.  I set Brookie down on a low level changing area, turned around for one second to put Jor on the the potty and Brooke rolled onto the concrete floor.  I have never been more terrified.  She screamed for about three minutes and then calmed down.  since it was concrete and she was so young, we called the ped who recommended we take her to the ER to get checked.  Someone ( my mom?) was looking out for us and she was ok..all smiles and flirty with the doctor.  It was a second...literally....I still shudder and shake.  Watch those babies with the eyes in the back of your head,....it really can happen to you!

Sumertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime!!

Oh summer..how I love you!  Yes, balancing two kids can be insane...naps rarely mesh, meltdowns happen, lunches can consist of cookies and chocolate milk..but I love my time with my girls!  Rob even says he loves "summertime Ellen" and is dreading me going back to work.  We have kept so busy.  The heat has been unrelentless, so we have tried to stay busy inside.  Library visits, Jumpzone, Trampoline-ing, playdates, etc.  We have gotten to go to Randall Oaks, the Splash Park and many parks too.  We even have a breakfast tradition of Country Donuts or Panera before morning activities!  Ahh..summer!!  My girls are so amazing.  Brooke is SO SWEET!  She has started rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, and squash and has graduated to her high chair.  She can be a finicky napper, but is A DOLL!  Jordan is so much fun to watch grow and develop and she talks like a REAL PERSON, communicating her needs.  She has becoming INCREASINGLY SASSY though.  Summer is so fun!

Five Months

Brooke is about a week shy from five months....but I thought I would take a minute to update her new skills.  She is a chatterbox and especially loves to blow bubbles and raspberries.  She is the HAPPIEST baby and seriously smiles all the time.  I freaked out and thought she had an ear infection, and although she was completely fine I did get her new weight...14 pounds!!  She has such good head control and can sit up assisted.  We also broke out the exersaucer and she happily plays with that for about 10 minutes before tuckering out.  She does the cutest thing with throwing her hands and legs out when excited....adorable and very entertaining!  She sleeps ok at night...up usually at least once, although we did stop the swaddle so that may not be helping.  She finally loves tummy time and can lift her head very high.  She flips back and forth pretty easily and tries to hard to push up to all fours...though obviously that is quite some time away it is still so funny to watch. She loves to shove her entire fist in her mouth and stares with such adoration at Jordan, it melts my heart.  She tried rice cereal and her expression was priceless.  I bet one bite stayed down.  So happy to just hang with her this summer and see what milestones she will reach!

Off to see the Wizard

Jordan will make her theatrical debut as a piglet on Auntie Em's farm in the Wizard of Oz next weekend.  Her little dance studio threw a "Munchkin Party" and Jordan had a blast.  Lots of green cupcakes, juice, and games! 

Home of the Free Because of the Brave

A few late Memorial Day pics of the hot weekend and unofficial kick off to summer!