Guest Post: Getting REAL with Courtney!

Hey y'all! I have been really slacking in the blog department lately! Today I'm getting out of my blogging slump and I have my bloggy friend Courtney to thank for that! We are doing a little blog swap today. I'm writing over at her blog for the day So head on over to One Fine Wire to hear what I have to say about my ideas on motherhood. And enjoy reading some great material from miss Courtney. 

Alright Mom's - it's time to get real!  And I mean...real.

As a first time Mom there were many things that I could read about, many people I could ask questions to, but nothing truly prepared me for motherhood and all of the changes that were coming.  I was excited, scared, thrilled, nervous and living in the unknown.  The pregnancy was fairly easy - but I had no clue how much work was coming my way.

Now, I love my child more than anything in this world, but he definitely changed our lives in more ways than one.  I suppose this post is more of a "what I didn't expect" kind of rant.  I had many ideas in my head of how I was going to do things when Preston arrived - but those changed quickly because being a first time Mom - I had no clue what I was doing!

No TV
Pat and I had talked it over beforehand and we knew that we didn't want to have the tv on when Preston was spending time with us.  We made that choice and we stuck with it which I'm really proud of.  Is it hard? YES!  We were movie/tv people.  So it was quite a life change for us to not watch that tv as much anymore. I know it sounds trivial, but our relaxing days changed forever.  But overall, it's made quite a difference in Preston's social personality - he doesn't need it, he doesn't want it, and he'd rather spend time with people. :)

Social Life
I think Pat and I have had about four dates in the past year.  We were used to going out whenever we wanted, catchin' a movie when a new release was out, and being really creative with dates.  Spending time with Preston is amazing, and wow has he changed in the first year of life.  Daily life completely changed when Preston arrived.  I feel so blessed to have had the maternity leave that I did and was able to get that much needed one on one time with Preston.  But with all of that one on one time with Preston came no time with my husband.  Make time with your spouse!!  We are working on this constantly to make sure that we are showing Preston what loving parents are.  Which means, sometimes we need alone time - even when Preston is awake!  

Mommy guilt does set in, though.  Leaving my baby is hard.  I already leave him for eight hours a day in order to go to work, so leaving him at night too to go on a date is hard and makes me feel like a bad Mom.  I know I'm not, but my heart does hurt.  It does get easier, though, the older they get.  

A New Community
Not only has blogging brought a new community of people to my world, but so has motherhood.  I now have something so positive in my life to share with others and many other Mom's my age who share in their joys as well.  We also share in the hard times and how tough Motherhood can be.  Whether it's not being able to take a shower one day, not getting enough sleep, not having enough time with the hubby, or never feeling like we have time for ourselves anymore.  It's a great community to be in, but also a tough one. 

My advice to you - be the Mom you were meant to be and don't try to copy someone else.  This is something that I am still working on as well, because I always feel like I'm doing something wrong.  But I'm not.  I'm just doing it my way and that's ok.  Be confident, ladies and don't let pressure from someone else mess with your gut decisions.

Post Baby Body
Yup, that's right - I am NOT a Hollywood super star with a personal trainer to whip my body back in shape.  I'm a working Mom, I love food, and I love spending time with my kid.  All of that equals - not a huge amount of time or energy for exercising.  Now, I'm certainly not on the same diet that I was when I was pregnant (man do I miss those cheese steaks!) so that has helped a ton.  But my body is NOT the same.  My feet are a size bigger, my hips are wider, I still have a tummy that is not suitable for public view, and have gained a few stretch marks.  Reality, folks.  It took me about a year to get back to my pre-baby weight, and I'm ok with that.  I'm trying to stay as healthy as I can and taking walks when I can, but more importantly, spending my free time with my family.

A Love Like No Other
Having a baby was the best decision Pat and I have ever made.  Our love was already so strong between us, but adding another human to the mix only made our lives THAT much better.  I never knew that love at first sight really existed...and it does, my friends...it does.  I was in love the minute I saw Preston Warren, and Patrick and I created a whole new level to our love for one another.  What an experience...and I thoroughly look forward to watching Preston grow into a lovely young man.

A Purpose
Life has become purposeful.  When I was younger I used to think that being a strong woman meant working in a man's career and kicking major booty.  I never thought I would get married so early or even think of having a child until my mid-thirties.  Crazy, right!?  That's what I always thought...boy was I wrong!  God leads you in the right direction and you have to let it happen and succumb to the fact that we are not in control.  And I always tell myself - when my day arrives and the time has to come for my family to write something on my tombstone - it won't have anything to do with my job, but it will say loving Mom.  That's what matters.

So for all of you Mom's to be - get ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions - but all in all it's worth it.  It's not easy, but it's the best ride you've ever been on!

Thanks, Mallorie, for doing this with me - and I hope all of you come to visit One Fine Wire soon!  Thanks for letting me take over for a day :)

Hi y'all..It's me again :-) 
Thanks to Courtney for this awesome post! And are they seriously not the cutest little family!? Sorry I just had to add that in! 

Happy Monday!