Being a SAHM

I'm a SAHM. That's code for Stay-At-Home-Mom, in case you didn't know. I love it. Most days. Sometimes it's really, really hard. But from the outside, it looks like I get to sit around the house all day and go the park when I want and that looks awesome. I'm well aware of how awesome it looks. And I'll let you in on a secret - it is awesome.

For example, this is my day so far:

7:30 - wake up

8:00 - make a yummy, homemade, healthy breakfast of eggs, scones, blueberries and blackberries

9:00 - play & read books, then get dressed

10:00 - head to the gym where I got to drop Kane off at childcare and get a workout in

10:45 - let Kane run around outside (his treat for going to the gym with me) while I enjoyed some coffee

11:15 - put Kane down for a nap, then shower, eat lunch and blog

Sounds easy, peasy huh? Some days it is. I won't lie. Actually, I can't lie because this is posted on the internet where only the truth is allowed. Plus, I want you to be feeling pretty jealous of my awesome job right before you read this next part.

The part where I tell you what else I've done today. I cleaned the kitchen after breakfast. I can hear you thinking "Oh, big deal" in your sarcastic way because we both know it isn't hard. Except when you have to clean the kitchen three times a day. Every.single.day. It can get pretty old.

And I picked up toys after our play time. No big deal, except when your toddler pulls out more toys as you are picking them up. It can get pretty old.

And I listened to fussing, crying and general protesting while getting him dressed, getting in the car, going to childcare, getting back in the car, changing a diaper, me not moving fast enough to put him down for a nap. You get the idea. It can get pretty old.

It's an awesome job, but it's not all fun and games. Some days are pretty lonely. Some days, I'm covered in snot from head to toe. Some days, I just want to lay down and close my eyes for 5 minutes. But it's a two sided coin. I really do love it. But it doesn't end. I can't go home from work and leave the stress behind, because I'm always at work. My job is my life. It lasts 24 hours a day. But some of those 24 hours are so awesome, I understand why you're jealous. And you should be.

Like last week when we got to play outside and soak up some winter Vitamin D as we waited for Annie to arrive.

And work on our balance beam skills. For free. Who needs to pay for Gymboree when you have a brick lined flower bed?

And run to greet Annie when she arrived.

And then help Annie unload the car. Because you know when Annie comes, she brings stuff.

And that stuff always includes a bag of goodies that Kane loves to dig in.

And since we're talking about Kane digging in things, let's go ahead and cue the digging in things montage here:

[Note - there is more on why this kid is shirtless later on...]

Now back to our awesome day....which included a trip to the fabric store.

And as if that wasn't enough awesomeness in one day, we topped it off with a trip to the museum. Due to a little miscommunication with our friends, we were about 20 minutes early. While we were exploring, Kane found his favorite exhibit...the water table. It always starts out gentle. As if he hasn't seen water in a while and needs to get reacquainted with her.

But proceeds rapidly to smacking, splishing and insane amounts of splashing. Like "Wow, look at what water can do!"

And always, always, always ends up with a drenched shirt. So I did what any normal mom would do. I just took it off and let him go shirtless. So when our friends arrived, he was already that kid.

This is Miss Savannah. She is 2 months younger than Kane and all girl. Which I find hilarious because her momma was, and still is in some respects, a tomboy.

In case you didn't notice, it looks like Kane is about to tackle her in that pic. One reason we scheduled this play date was to take these pictures of Miss Savi...

[Thank you MCP Actions for the layout]

And then we headed back to the scene of the crime. Where Kane went straight for the water and Miss Savannah was more interested in entertaining us.

I told you she was all girl! She did get in the water. But only her fingertips. She didn't want to have a wet dress after all.

This sign makes me laugh. It's a children's museum (you have to be under 6 years old to play here) and this is the water table area. "Wet Floor" is an understatement.

When we were ready to go, I took off his shoes and had to wring out both socks. I probably got half a cup of water from his socks alone. His pants were drenched. His shirt was soaked. His brain was bigger and his smile was huge. And that's what being a SAHM is really about.

Comments

[Shelley]

love that you added a picture of you with your baby (:

[Shana]

It is an amazing job! You nailed it...somedays I love it so much that I cry out of sheer joy that I get to be with my kids all day everyday. Other days I cry because I just want 5 minutes that don't require me hiding in the laundry room:)

[Sarita]

I am just glad I was finally able to figure out how to follow a blog! Plus what you say is so true! SAHM is wonderful and absolutely amazing someday and then so lonely others! But the good days definitely outweigh the lonely ones!!

[Jenny]

Love the post!! Tough job, I'm sure ;)
See you next month!! Can't wait!!

[Randy]

I think being a SAHM is much better than being a sham, which you wouldn't be any good at. ;))