I’m a contributor over at What to Expect and on Thursday a post I wrote was highlighted on AOL. That’s right – AOL.com! Here’s the proof :)
Ooo, squishy baby Max making his big time internet debut! With a grumpy Jemma apparently :)
You can read the post here: My Best Kept Secret About What Gets Me Through the Day
You can even relish in the comments if you want. And, just to clear up a few things … Yes, I’m nursing my 17 month old and no he doesn’t sleep through the night. I am perfectly ok with this. I actually have a post in the works about breastfeeding my little man child, ha! Also, I absolutely know that I’m blessed to stay at home with my kids and thus, have the option to take a nap. It’s always been my dream to stay at home and I don’t take it for granted. My post was not meant to point out moms who can’t nap due to their work schedule, I’ve been there!, it was to encourage self-care. Do what you have to do to succeed as a mama. It’s different for everyone, this is what works for me. Just take care of yourself, everyone will be happier and healthier. Last but not last, Dominic and I have made a lot of sacrifices to live how we live – he works hard, we live on a strict budget, we share our home with an international student and I work part-time as a writer in an odd little swing shift after bedtime thanks to the extra energy that a daily nap gives me. We’re a team; we’re working together to meet our goals and achieve our dreams. Some we’re closer to and others are much farther off, but we’re working the plan and right now, a daily nap is part of that plan.
Ok, enough ranting :) On to the celebrating!
On AOL day, Dominic took me out on a date. What a sweet guy! So, after that Thursday’s nap, I peeled off my pajamas, fluffed my hair and got ready. As I curled my hair, Jemma told me I looked “kiney like Belle” and Max ran circles through my legs. I’m tellin’ ya, I could compete in the Mom-lympics. Curling my hair without contacts in while answering never-ending questions from a 3 year old while having a chubby toddler knock my balance back and forth while turning my legs into a tunnel – yeah, I score a 9.2, at least. Bringin’ home the gold!
We grabbed Happy Hour and Dominic begrudgingly snapped a few outfits photos – because #bloggerhusbandproblems :)
Date Night … blouse, h+m | jeans, target (they were on clearance for $7.48 at my store!) | cardigan, thrifted | flats, tj maxx | necklace, world market | purse, target
Thank you all for your love and support on my What to Expect post – it means the world to me to see your likes and read your comments. Not joking. Seriously, thank you thank you thank you.
Don’t forget to enter the Haddon & Co giveaway and take a peek at my other revealing post from this week! I promise I’m a really productive person, even though I nap daily and encourage clutter. I’m just a recovering Type A firstborn who is learning to prioritize and focus on what matters most.
Hugs, high fives and all that jazz!
/// Follow That Mama Gretchen on Facebook and take a peek at this month’s featured sponsor ///
(Visited 89 times, 1 visits today)
Oh my, some of those comments! I nursed my guy to 22months and he never slept through the night until we moved, he weened himself, and started sleeping in his own bed. Yes, it was tiring and I needed naps, but I will never regret having that time with him!
i love to sleep. i have napped a few times a week since college. i still regularly nap for about 45 minutes every other day or so. over the last month i've also started taking valarian root and melatonin at night. i sleep like a rock. like good, solid, wake up absolutely rested sleep. and i've found that i don't need the naps (or the coffee-what!?) like i did before. and i am so calm. who knew being well-rested could be so awesome. it's been over six years since i had so much gratifying sleep!
i just read some of the comments from your article.wow. they are the reason i stay away from parenting boards in general. who are these people that have nothing better to do with their time than criticize others. as parents, aren't we all doing what we think is best for our own kids? ok. climbing back into my own introverted bubble.
Sleep nursing does make things more manageable!*virtual high five*
I read this last week and loved it, but hated most of the comments people posted over on What to Expect. I hope you don't mind, but I linked to your article in mine. Keep it up!http://ourconezone.com/how-i-learned-not-to-care-about-opinions-on-the-internet
Agreed!!!