The afore mentioned hallway

My Boys

 

Michael, Harrison and Winston are my boys. I would do anything for them. That is why after two years of deliberation, Michael and I have agreed that after June 1, 2011, I will officially become a

Stay At Home Mom (SAHM)

Prior to Harrison's birth, I had worked out a 20 hour position with my manager however while on maternity leave, there was "the recession" and the "TARP bailouts" (I work for a bank) and high levels of unemployment etc. Upon my return my manager had the hard task of telling me she could not offer me part time work as she could not add a position and my current job could not function at part time hours. Since Michael had lost a job 2 weeks before Harrison was born and was then just two months into starting the new job, we made the tough decision that I would work full time. In the time since then, we have made things work and life is good but what it really came down to was... life could be better.

We anticipate a lot of positive adjustments and improvements in our lifestyle. Mom will actually see Harrison in the morning (and can stop setting an alarm clock for 5:30 a.m.). Dad and mom can finally fit in time to exercise. Winston won't be as neglected and will take many more walks and won't have to "hold it" for 8 hours (which frankly has been more and more of a problem lately). Mom will be able to sew, make photo albums and edit family movies while Harrison naps. Dad looks forward to even more home cooked meals.

Most of all, we look forward to our quality time together. Mommy and Harrison will obviuosly have a lot more time together. I will be able to stay up a little later at night which gives Michael and I quality time. Winston will have company during the day again which he sorely needs.

Between now and June 1st, I need to start structuring our days and weeks so Harrison learns, plays and has social kid time and hopefully neither of us will want to kill the other. And heck, if it turns out I am no good at being a SAHM, then I could always take the easy way out and go back to "work" (I certainly have no illusions that staying at home will be easy!).

There is "mommy guilt" if you work and there is "mommy guilt" if you don't work. Thank you to my wonderful husband for relieving me of the guilt associated with not bringing in an additional income. Thanks to my friend Rick for relieving my of the fear that I will never be able to get back into the work force. Thanks to my SAHM friends already offering me tips and will train me for my new job. And thanks to our families that are willing to support us in our decision.

Potty Update

After two weeks of intense interest, Harrison won't go near a potty anymore. Not at all surprising but our hopes of getting out of diapers early are dashed for now. Oh well.

Snuggle Bug

At night, after I turn off the light, I usually sing a song to Harrison however he prefers to dictate which song I sing. For instance, if I start with "Twinkle, twinkle" he will whine "noooo" before I can finish singing "star." Sometimes I go through four or five songs and he receive the same reply.

Last week, was one of those nights so I made up a little song that was mostly the words "snuggle bug" drawn out for a few seconds over and over. After a few times, he started singing it back to me. After a minute, it sounded like this:

Me: "Snuggle Bug"
HJ: "Snuggle Bug"
Me: "Snuggle Bug"
HJ: "Mommy Bug"
Me: "Cuddle Bug"
HJ: "No, Mommy Bug"
Me: "Snuggle Bug"
HJ: "Mommy Bug"

...and then he was pretty much asleep in my arms. I went downstairs with a big smile on my face and told Michael "I win. You did the dishes and I got the sweetest little boy in the world!"