As a mom, you may not have qualified for the Rio Olympics, but you certainly deserve a spot on the podium in our eyes. There are no “perfect scores” in motherhood, but if you had a discipline breakthrough, managed a meltdown, or found time in your day to pursue a dream, then we want to take a moment and celebrate alongside you. Even the little “victories” add up to be big wins in the long run; so let’s champion each other. After all, we’re on the same team.
I’m so excited to introduce a college friend who is joining our blog team, Ash Hendley!
Happy Wednesday, Readers! I’m a new wife (celebrating two years of marriage next month) and an even newer mom to this cutie pie, who is almost six months old.
Not pictured is our rambunctious German Shepherd puppy, Huckleberry, who doesn’t understand that he’s not the baby any longer. Motherhood messed me up in the best possible way, but I’m so thankful for this precious gift from God!
I definitely know what you mean. And oh my goodness, what an adorable picture! So do you wear any other hats in addition to your [big, gigantic, hugely significant] Mom Hat?
Besides my mom hat, which is handy to cover up my I-didn’t-take-a-shower-today-hair, I also work in development for a non-profit, meaning I write a lot of grants, and I serve as Editor for my husband’s seminary papers as he finishes up his MDiv. I am also the Dog Walker, Home Decorator, and Thrift Store Shopper in our little family.
You go girl! Lots of hats you’re juggling. So tell us about your precious cutie!
Our little lady is almost six months and man, what a crazy and wonderful and hard six months it’s been. She is a happy, smiley little ball of energy and I love to watch her figure out new tricks. I am forever texting the grandparents with each new milestone, like when she recently discovered her toes! Haha! Her footy pajamas are always wet from all the chewing. ☺️
Most mornings she wakes up with a smile on her face when I get her out of her crib, and is quite content to lay in bed and babble at 6 am. I have no idea where she inherited this cheerful morning disposition. I am a complete zombie until after my first cup of Starbucks. Oh yes, we started buying the good stuff to brew at home!
Haha, I am the same way. I have utter admiration for any mom who doesn’t need a cup of coffee to get them moving in the morning. ? What is a recent mom win you experienced that took time and perseverance to accomplish?
We recently started physical therapy to help with some tightness in her neck, which is causing her develop a flat spot on her head because she only sleeps on one side. This sweet child of mine does not enjoy the stretches that we have to do multiple times a day, and expresses her disdain quite ardently! I know it’s for her good, but I hate doing something that brings her discomfort. But we have persevered and she is slowly getting used to it, and we’ve figured out creative ways to distract her while we’re doing her physical therapy. If this is hard, I just know I’m going to be a wreck the first time she has to go to the ER!
Oh I can only imagine how much she doesn’t enjoy that. I feel like I’ve learned a lot in those experiences about God’s love…that even when things may not feel pleasant for me at the time, I can imagine Him saying, “I promise this is really good for you even if it hurts right now.” What is a mom win that you would text your best friend?
My best friend from college had her first baby seven weeks after me, so we are always exchanging notes and ideas on the good and the bad, including our experiences with cloth diapering! Recently I had to admit I was giving up on using cloth diapers, which was so hard to let go of! I had really wanted it to work for our family, but hard water issues were causing major leaks and meant multiple outfit changes a day. I just had to decide to stop using them, or risk losing my mind! My friend is still using them, so I felt like such a failure! But once I just admitted it wasn’t working, I felt so relieved! Off to find some Pampers coupons . . .
Good for you for trying! I totally know what you mean. We had to supplement in feeding for our oldest for a bit and I felt like such a failure. Isn’t it crazy what we deem as a failure when really it just isn’t how we envisioned it in our minds? I think that’s a big step when you let go of how you want it to go in order to help your child thrive – so YAY! What a big mom win. ?
Anything else you are learning as a mom right now?
In the trenches is exactly how I feel most days! As a new mom, I find myself very easily overwhelmed with getting it all done-working full-time, making sure we all have clean clothes, lunches packed, and a clean house. I am a “doer” by nature, but in this new role the Lord is reminding me to slow down and let go of needing to get it all done. On the hard days, it’s encouraging to know that it won’t always be like this. But on the sweet, snuggly, good days, I’m sad that it won’t always be like this. I want to enjoy each new day and be more concerned with enjoying my baby and less concerned with the dirty floors and dishes in the sink.
I think that is one of the most challenging things as a mom — learning when to push the tasks away to be present with your kids. That is definitely something I am praying through right now.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. We are so excited to have you on the team and share what you’re learning as a new mom and wife. ❤️
If you would like to be featured as a Gold Medal Mom or you know someone who would, please contact us here!
