The Merfett

Mama Morning Favorites

June 19, 2014 The Merfett

Baby’s down for a morning nap, or possibly playing with a hairbrush on the bathroom floor. You have precious few moments to pull yourself together for the day. Here are few of my favorite things that I always have on hand for a busy morning!

1. Stella & Dot – Isla Drops I know I can instantly feel more “dressed” when I toss on something pretty :)

2. Pureology Fresh Approach Dry Shampoo I can’t wait to try this! I’m obsessed with dry shampoo for those 2nd (and 3rd!) hair days.

3. Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Because wrinkles! It only takes a second, and it’s so important.

4. Aveda Lavender fleurs Oil A few drops of this in my (quick!) morning shower makes me happy.

5. Clump Crusher Extensions LashBlast Mascara I consider wearing mascara a successful make-up day. This stuff has been my favorite for years.

6. Goody Bobby Pins You can never have enough Bobby pins! Since I have short hair, these are a must for pony tail hair days.

7. Revlon Photoready Powder Yes. I wear drugstore make up. I don’t do full make-up most days so this works perfectly.

Family

I Wanna Be A Cute Mom

June 18, 2014 The Merfett

I’ve been quiet on here recently, aside from Riley’s Monthly updates. Which – thank goodness for those. I’ll be so thankful to have all those little detailed memories to look back on.

I know I’ve talked about it a few times, but fashion. Ugh. SO not my thing. But in my quest to find my new balance between wife/mom/self I’m learning that “me time” is a big part of the matrix. I’ve been working out 2 times a week with a trainer, and I’m starting to see some of my old self come back. Not just the physical – but who I was as an athlete. The familiar muscle soreness is like an old friend – creepy, no?

In the trenches of parenting tiny humans I feel like we loose ourselves a little. Sometimes out of the sheer need for survival. There needs to be less about me, so I can be there more for him. Does that make sense? I wrote once that we’re like a pie (yum. pie) and there’s only so much of us to go around, so each slice will get bigger or smaller to make up for the pieces that are taking up more real estate. My Mom slice it real big right now, and my Me slice is smaller. Which is ok, I know it’s for a season. But, I’m finding that when I invest in myself and my Me slice – all of my other slices seem to fit better in the pie. I’m a more attentive and present Mama when I spend just a little time on myself. A trip to Target solo is like a vacation, amiright!? When I’m a little selfish I find that I have a fresh attitude toward my roles of Wife and Mama.

I’m almost a full year postpartum and I’m still learning how to be comfortable in my new body. After pregnancy and labor and nursing (still) my body has given so much. And I’m grateful, and so thankful to be strong and healthy. My size and shape is totally different and I’m learning how to love all of me. Stretch marks and Mama tummy included.

So – I wanna be a cute Mom. You know, the Mom at the park that has just enough style that she looks pulled together, but still relaxed and casual. As I’ve mentioned I hate shopping almost as much as I hate spending money…those two don’t fit well together. Oops. But I’m so tired of looking tired and feeling less than great about myself. I’ve made attempts to improve my “look” but I’m going to make it a priority now. It’s not just about looking cute though. I’ve always heard the phrase, “don’t dress for the job you have – dress for the job you want.” And it hit me. I’m dressing like a Mama that’s frazzled and doesn’t make time for herself. I’m not that Mama, at least – I don’t want to be. I want to feel great about myself so I feel great about life and living, and adventures and crawling around in the sand at the park with Riley.

So Riley and I went on an adventure last week to find me a new Swim Suit – a story for another day. But we wandered into Anthropologie. Because happy. It must be the way they make that store smell, or the lighting, or the displays. But I feel at home and relaxed there. Then I see the price tags. Uhhh. But, you know what? I’m an adult. I should be ok with buying nicer clothing that’s of good quality and fits me well. I fell better in clothing that’s made of nice fabric, and since I wear my clothes into the ground I should be investing. Not just buying.

So I put on my big girl pants (literally) and found some new clothes.

Are all my problems solved? Am I the perfect Mama? Ha! No. Not even close.

But, I’m almost giddy about getting dressed – and even, gasp…doing my hair AND make up. Who am I? I’m a Mama trying to take care of herself so she can take better care of her family. Simple.

Family

Riley is 10 Months

May 1, 2014June 2, 2014 The Merfett

10.

Weight: He was 21.5lbs and 33 in long at his 9 month check up – so perhaps a little over that? He’s wearing 18 – 24 month clothing, and will probably move into toddler clothes soon :) That big cloth diaper-bum only makes him bigger!

Health: All is well! He’s doing so well with the chiropractic adjustments that he’s down to one visit a month. He’s a total success story in the office there, and we’re thrilled that he’s finally “regular.” He’s had a few bumps and bruises recently since he’s more adventurous and pulling up and crawling around. He does NOT like it if he bumps his head into anything.

Sleep: He’s waking up around 5:30am. Bedtime is 7:00pm/7:30pm and even if he goes to bed later he’s still waking up early. I think he’s just that kid. Naps are 1.5 hours in the morning and afternoon. Catnap sometimes. I’m trying to stretch out his awake time between naps so the 2nd nap falls later in the afternoon.

Nursing: Yep. Day feedings are getting shorter, but he’s still eating first thing in the morning and before bed. I feed him after he wakes up from his naps, but it’s normally pretty short. Which I’m ok with. I need to do some reading about weaning, but I think we’ll make it to a year.

What Riley is up to: He started to babble this month! Last weekend at a BBQ he became so chatty and started “ba-ba-bas” and loves to “ba” at Buddy and Betsy. I’m also teaching him “uh-oh” and “up” which he’s starting to get. We’re working on waving “hi” and “bye-bye” and just recently started to practice clapping. Swimming is his favorite and we’ve spent a lot of time in our little pool at home. We got a bike-trailer that he’s warming up to and started doing family bike rides around the neighborhood. Trips to the park are a weekly adventure, and he’s a sand eater for sure. Ew.

He’s serious about Sand

PostPartum: Working on really trying to balance work and life. Finding that my priorities are making it clear where I want to invest myself. I’ve been seeing Riley’s Chiropractor and that’s helping with so much of my stress. Physical and emotional. I had no idea that I was carrying around so much emotional stress until we started working on it. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in the 3 sessions we’ve had. I’m still working out with my trainer 2 times a week – and I’m starting to notice a difference in my strength. That combined with my adjustments I’ve seen a major improvement in my posture!!

Baby Gear: We got a little wooden activity center for him – sort of like the ones with the wooden beads they have at the doctors office. He likes that. And any little kitchen gadget. He also loves to carry around a baby spoon and bang it on anything to make a new sounds. The dogs are fun entertainment, and he’s pulling up and crawling on them. They tolerate it well :)

Thoughts: Getting close to a year! We’re starting to think about a small birthday party and maybe getting him a backyard play set with a swing :) I love this little kid. We’re great buddies and I love spending my days with him. I’m so thankful I’ve had these months working from home with him. We have a little routine and love it when Daddy is home for dinner at night :) Recently someone asked me what surprised me most about having Riley – and I said I didn’t think it would change me in such a huge way. Yes, life changes. But I’ve changed in so many ways. I’m so much softer and more emotional that I ever was. Like – feel my feelings now. Yea…never thought I’d be that girl. I love being a Mama, and I’m so thankful for this little dude that makes me smile every day.