It is so much fun being a Mama, but sometimes can be so overwhelming. Often times Ryan will ask us what we did all day, and it's always a hard question to answer. It feels like nothing when you think of actual tasks or look around the house:), but for some reason I'm always so exhausted. This was in today's newspaper and I thought it would be perfect to share with all you mothers... because it is oh so true. It was written to Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax. I know it's long, but definitely worth the read!
Dear Carolyn:
"Best friend has child. Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? Her: Park, play group... Okay. I've done Internet searches, I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners...I do all those things, too, and I don't do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day and why don't moms have time for a call or email? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events), I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy-not a bad thing at all-but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest ("my life is so much harder than yours")? I've got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story."
-Tacoma, Wash.
Dear Tacoma:
"Relax and enjoy. You're funny. Or, you're lying about having friends with kids. Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them. Internet searches? I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer, and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand, while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom-friends are either lying or competing with you, is disingenuous indeed. So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries, questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys, and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kinds of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout-line shaking its head. It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15. It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier. It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family and friends, well meaning and otherwise. It's resisting constant temptation to seek short-term relief at every one's long term expense. It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything-language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity. Empathy. Everything. It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy and then, when you got 10 minutes to yourself, wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend, a good friend would not judge you, complain about you to mutual friends, or marvel how much more productively she uses her time. Either make a sincere effort to understand, or keep your snit to yourself."
Thought you guys would love it!
...Lauren Charlene Kok arrived! And since then, our lives have never been the same. We are so grateful for this amazing little gal and so thankful to her folks for creating such a perfect little being. She has looks to kill and personality plus...she's quite the spitfire (and her namesake would be very proud)! Lauren, we love you sweetheart. Cheers to you on your first birthday. 
"Deal?!"
Hads and Dad enjoying the sun.
Peek-a-boo, Lauren.
Fun on the swing.
Such a long day.
" Hello everyone, welcome to my party! No gift, no entry."
Loving the party hat until mean Aunt Megan accidently snapped her with it. After that she wouldn't wear one for the rest of the afternoon. Oops!
"How big is Lauren?" ONE YEAR OLD!
Hadley enjoying the loot from her very first birthday party.
Party poopers! Just too much fun.
"Who's that good looking baby?"
"She sure looks a lot like me."
"Oh goodness, it IS me! I'm so silly."
"Now back to business."
Hadley & Cousin Madeline
Zaide with her hands full.
Two very spoiled Grandparents!
Oh geeze Gramps, you should have told me this was a stick shift.
Be sure to look both ways.
Did you guys forget about my carseat?
Hadley was two months old on Monday and we celebrated by taking her to the doctor for a whole bunch of shots.
Waiting patiently.
The band-aids are bigger than her thighs!
Oh, the horror!
What a day! She was a good little gal, until she got poked. Dad held her down, and laughed as she wailed. I'd hate to see how funny he'd find it if they were doing surgery. She's getting big...weighs 9lbs 4oz and is 23 1/4 in. tall...okay, so I guess till a scrawny little thing.
My mom is famous!
Three gals at the M's game
Happy Mama's Day!
I heart mom is right.
Mom...you are SO funny!
