2006
Even though many of my posts are about my life with kids, I don’t necessarily consider myself a mommy blogger. Yes, I’m a mom. And yes, I blog. So what’s the difference? I think the big difference is the readers. The comments on Wednesday’s post show how we’re all in different stages of life. We come to this corner of the internet from different backgrounds and viewpoints.
I try to find the universal thread in my stories. I ask myself, What makes this adventure in the life of Angie more about the human experience and not solely the “mom in the trenches” experience? Some days I don’t mention my kids or my role as mom at all. During those times, I have the little people tied to the coffee table.
But let’s face it. I’m about to have a third child. Not, like, tomorrow. But soon. I was thinking about it, and there’s no way I can pretend that’s not happening here on the blog. Much of my focus is shifting towards prepping for the new little person who’s moving in. To my house. Not for an extended visit. To stay. So perhaps that does make me a mommy blogger. It’s just a label. It doesn’t matter.
2009
All of this to say I hope you’ll embrace this part of the journey with me. It will be interesting (in light of Wednesday’s post) to see how it goes. The newborn days with Dillon were particularly difficult for me. I had no idea how my overwhelming love for this angel of a baby would be eclipsed by raging hormones, sleep deprivation and the unsettling realization that so many things are out of my control. With Blake, I had a (somewhat) easier time, and I’m sure some of it had to do with perspective. I did some things differently. But sometimes it was deja vu, and I had to remind myself: I may be tired and depleted today, but I won’t be tired and depleted and um, unshowered for the rest of my life.
Before I got pregnant with our baby girl on the way, I told my husband, “I’m not under any false impressions that having another is going to be easy. I can’t promise I won’t have less-than-shining moments. I still have no idea how to balance raising children with my personal and professional aspirations. But I don’t care. I know what I’m getting into.”
Wednesday, Bella wrote about her experience as a grandparent:
We have more patience than when we were younger, and we have less stress and deadlines and other priorities. Our grandchildren are the only thing in the universe when we’re with them. It’s different than being a parent with all the responsibilities.
She’s right. It is different. We don’t get do-overs in life. Instead, we get seasons. With each season comes an opportunity to learn and grow and live life more fully than we did the day before. In 2009, before Blake was born, I wrote,
Some nights I put my head on the pillow and tell myself, “I got it right today.” But there are other nights I pray for a chance to love my son a little better tomorrow. This realization makes me think of my own mother, and her mother, and all the mothers who came before them. And suddenly, I’m filled with forgiveness. I’m overwhelmed with understanding. And love.
Maya Angelou has said, “You did what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better.” And those words remind to forgive myself.
So perhaps I can tie these thoughts into a pretty little bow by saying this: This is what I love about my blog and the readers who help make it what it is. Together, we shine new perspectives on the business of living life. And if you want to come visit, babysit, clean my bathrooms, take the the overnight shift… sign up in the comments section below. (Kidding).
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We are many different things. No one in entirely in one category. Looking forward to the new baby.
Here’s to life outside the box.
Hey Girl, write on!
We are with you and look forward to the cwazzzy days when that sleep deprivation hits and you roll out some whacked out blog that we can all jump on and share since we been there, done that.
Oh yeah, if you ever need any help with that babysitting, clean bathrooms stuff, I proudly volunteer two lovely ladies: Queen A and the LMTK….nuff said. annnnnd out.
I will totally babysit, though your children will be wild harridans when you return, because I will just act like they do.
Yes, I guarantee some whacked out blog posts are on the horizon. I’m creative when I’m infused with post-delivery pain killers and adrenaline.
The only problem with that is they will want Aunt Andra all the time. Win for me. Loss for MTM.
But I hope my kids get a healthy dose of your influence. You will teach them how to live life.
Every season of life brings it changes and challenges. If we are lucky (and wise) we take a little bit of what we’ve learned in each one and carry it with us into the next. You’ve learned so much with Dillon and Blake, and your baby girl will benefit from that. And what you learn from HER will help you become an even better mom for your boys.
I can’t wait to continue on this journey with you
So true how children teach us, too! So glad you’re along for the ride…
Ok, so I don’t even like to clean my OWN bathroom, but I will gladly sit with all 3 kids while YOU do those things…:)
There for ya sista…
You know, I’ll take it! I actually enjoy escaping to clean. You can keep Blake from drinking the Pine Sol.
Thank you for your beautiful words today. I needed to “hear” them.
I never grow tired of that Maya Angelou quote.
Angie, Looking forward to more inspirational and heartfelt posts. I always appreciate how open you are about the joys (and struggles) of finding balance/mommyhood.
Thank you, Laura! I think we appreciate our blessings more when we stop acting like we have it all together all the time.
I enjoyed your blog post this morning Angie. One of the reasons that I read your blog (and others) is because you are real and I can make a personal connection with you in so many ways. I loved your precious pictures of you and your baby. You are in a season that has come and gone for Katy and I but I still remember the sleepless nights and the reality of what it means to be a parent. Now we are in the teenager and young adult years of our children and are facing a different type of season that seems to be just as challenging if not more. Parenting never ends no matter how old the children are. If Katy or I can be of assistance please let us know. We will do what we can. Hugs
Thank you, James. I appreciate what you contribute to the conversation. And I love hearing about your adventures in parenting teenagers.
This is great, and you are right – life is all about seasons. I think when we realize that, we can enjoy whatever season we are in. We can treasure it, because we know it won’t last forever. Or, we can hang on and survive with hope for the same reason! “This too shall pass,” can get you through a lot of stuff
Look forward to reading more of whatever you want to write about here – children, motherhood, bathroom cleaning, whatever!
Remembering seasons also helps me accept that we can have what we dream of… but usually not all at once!
I always took the term Mommy Blogger to mean a lady who writes just about the mommy side of things…which is cool…and also why I never considered myself one. I might write the occasional post on how poop diapers could serve as free-n-lethal military weapons, but I’m probably the last person who’s going to write a post on healthy toddler eating or potty training tips. I say write on… totally niche-less. You don’t need a label anyway
I totally get it, Tori. And I enjoy mom blogs… there are many that helped me open up and write more about motherhood. Now that I think of it, I could write tips on “how to lose your mind in 10 days.”
If only you could write a post as part of your bathroom cleaning series that tells me how to get rid of the lizards living in my floor.
I am so excited to meet Cate. You’re going to sail through all of it with flying colors. You’ve got your game down now.
Thank you, dear. See Tori’s comment above re: dirty diapers. Maybe that’s the answer to your lizard problem?
And then there are those of us who will simply read, love it/you, and cheer from afar.
I feel the love across the miles!
Angie thank you so much for your blog. It is often encouragement for my soul. Some days it’s just a dose of laughter that I desperately need. Other days I am overwhelmed with a thankfulness to our Father that He has allowed Terry and I the blessing of having known so many special people. You are one of those! I can’t believe you’re a mommy almost 3 x over! I know how the early years can almost singlehandedly do you in, but He is our strength and wisdom in those times and the joys those precious babies bring into our lives are immeasurable. Beautiful pics of you and the boys (we have 3 boys now). I know your princess will be as well! Blessings! Keep blogging!
Pam… it’s wonderful to hear from you! I will email you soon.
“We don’t get do-overs in life. Instead, we get seasons.”
That is so true.
I’m looking forward to reading about your experiences with a little girl! Oh, she will add a new dimension to your house. Will she be a girlie girl or a tomboy? Will she be a drama queen or an old soul? I can’t wait for you to meet her and tell us all about her. She will teach you so much about yourself and life.
Observing my children’s natural born personalities… getting to know who they are… is one of the most rewarding things.
Love that Maya Angelou quote. You know if I lived closer I’d take the boys for a playdate with my 2 anytime! I think it’s great that you’re going into this, the third time, with realistic expectations. And it’s sounds like you’re being accepting of and gentle with yourself. I see so many moms, myself included, that are way too hard on themselves. Like you and Maya said, we’re doing the best we can. And most days, that’s pretty damn good, I’d have to say.
Amen.