28 November 2009
Outdoor Fun
In addition to all our holiday and birthday (Troy's) fun, we've managed to get outside to enjoy Andrew's vacation days. On Friday, we went up to HooDoo for some skiing. Andrew and I took turns skiing and playing with Chase in the lodge. So much fun, I'm so happy to be skiing again. Today we went to Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. We had sunny mild weather and saw 18 deer and thousands of geese. Chase slept on Andrew's back in the baby backpack as we walked.
17 November 2009
The Decision to Stay Home
Well, after a great deal of deliberating and praying, the decision has been made! I will become a full-time mommy on December 12th (so long as I get my grades in on the 11th). The math department, and Chase's sitter have been informed, so it's very final. Why? I want to be with Chase, and I think it's best for him!
We're going to sell the Saturn, so we'll have 1 car and 1 motorcycle. Andrew will usually take a vehicle to work, so I plan to take the bus to get to the gym (Kroc Center) and a mom's group (church), and possibly for groceries. I hope to walk (with Chase in the baby backpack) to a few playdates in the neighborhood (the furthest is 2 miles).
Just a few short years ago I was completely immersed in math and research - totally career oriented. I could not have imagined wanting to be a stay-at-home-mom. So really why? It's been fun and interesting to hear what questions people have about this decision. So what are you going to do all day? Is your schedule too much for you to balance work and parenting? Are you pregnant? Are you trying to get pregnant? What about money?
Note, I had to defend my decision to go back to work as well! So, I'd like to encourage other moms and families just to figure out what's best for your family. :o)
So after Chase was born, I certainly didn't want to leave him and go back to work. But, I thought there was a strong possibility that once I went back to work and got into that routine, that I'd enjoy the time away and together all the more. And there was no way to find out, but to try it. We did try it. I still do love to teach, but I found I just want to be with Chase. I spend my days at school counting the minutes until I can pick up Chase. He's only 9-months old once!
I'm not pregnant, nor do we plan to have more kids very soon. Let's get this family caught up on sleep before we add to it! Chase still nurses once each night.
As for money, it came down to me working now so we could have more family time later. Well there are few garantees in life, so we're taking family time now.
Chase's sitter, Kasyn, is absolutely amazing. Chase has great care and lots of love during the 4 days (7 hours per day) when I'm away. He gets tons of attention and interaction with her and the other kids. He learns a lot there, imitates the older kids, and has fun. We are even planning a regular playdate when I am finished working. So quality childcare is not the issue.
How about the schedule? Well, working and parenting is crazy. But, after the first few weeks of adjusting, it's not all that much crazier than being home with Chase. And anyone who's spent a good deal of time with young kids knows being home is no vacation. Sometimes, working is easier than being home. Even during his naps, I'm doing housework (not so easy when he's awake... how does my sister manage 2 babies?!), there's always plenty to do. You don't exactly get time to yourself. Still, it is much more enjoyable to be home with Chase, rather than away from him and at work. What am I going to do all day? If you mean this when you ask this, you haven't spent a day with a baby (or you have a poor memory). I'll try to do a "24 hours" post in the future. Some othere mommies have asked me this, and I think they mean, won't you go crazy all day alone with your kid?! Yes, I think I would. That's why it's going to be so important for us to go to the Kroc Center (swimming!), mom's group, Kasyn's playdate, and a couple other regular playdates with neighbors, and I assume grandparents. On top of that we're going to cram in housework, yardwork, learning to walk/talk/read/sing/color/potty/share/count/etc.
I'm really looking forward to this time with our baby, and I'm so grateful that Andrew is giving us this time together. :o)
We're going to sell the Saturn, so we'll have 1 car and 1 motorcycle. Andrew will usually take a vehicle to work, so I plan to take the bus to get to the gym (Kroc Center) and a mom's group (church), and possibly for groceries. I hope to walk (with Chase in the baby backpack) to a few playdates in the neighborhood (the furthest is 2 miles).
Just a few short years ago I was completely immersed in math and research - totally career oriented. I could not have imagined wanting to be a stay-at-home-mom. So really why? It's been fun and interesting to hear what questions people have about this decision. So what are you going to do all day? Is your schedule too much for you to balance work and parenting? Are you pregnant? Are you trying to get pregnant? What about money?
Note, I had to defend my decision to go back to work as well! So, I'd like to encourage other moms and families just to figure out what's best for your family. :o)
So after Chase was born, I certainly didn't want to leave him and go back to work. But, I thought there was a strong possibility that once I went back to work and got into that routine, that I'd enjoy the time away and together all the more. And there was no way to find out, but to try it. We did try it. I still do love to teach, but I found I just want to be with Chase. I spend my days at school counting the minutes until I can pick up Chase. He's only 9-months old once!
I'm not pregnant, nor do we plan to have more kids very soon. Let's get this family caught up on sleep before we add to it! Chase still nurses once each night.
As for money, it came down to me working now so we could have more family time later. Well there are few garantees in life, so we're taking family time now.
Chase's sitter, Kasyn, is absolutely amazing. Chase has great care and lots of love during the 4 days (7 hours per day) when I'm away. He gets tons of attention and interaction with her and the other kids. He learns a lot there, imitates the older kids, and has fun. We are even planning a regular playdate when I am finished working. So quality childcare is not the issue.
How about the schedule? Well, working and parenting is crazy. But, after the first few weeks of adjusting, it's not all that much crazier than being home with Chase. And anyone who's spent a good deal of time with young kids knows being home is no vacation. Sometimes, working is easier than being home. Even during his naps, I'm doing housework (not so easy when he's awake... how does my sister manage 2 babies?!), there's always plenty to do. You don't exactly get time to yourself. Still, it is much more enjoyable to be home with Chase, rather than away from him and at work. What am I going to do all day? If you mean this when you ask this, you haven't spent a day with a baby (or you have a poor memory). I'll try to do a "24 hours" post in the future. Some othere mommies have asked me this, and I think they mean, won't you go crazy all day alone with your kid?! Yes, I think I would. That's why it's going to be so important for us to go to the Kroc Center (swimming!), mom's group, Kasyn's playdate, and a couple other regular playdates with neighbors, and I assume grandparents. On top of that we're going to cram in housework, yardwork, learning to walk/talk/read/sing/color/potty/share/count/etc.
I'm really looking forward to this time with our baby, and I'm so grateful that Andrew is giving us this time together. :o)
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