Ella's Sleep Schedule

Since Ella was born her sleep schedule was so crazy. I could never time when she would be up or when she would be tired. Of course as a newborn, I had no intention of trying to put her on a sleep schedule. I actually thought before I had her that there would be no point of having her on a schedule since I was able to stay home. That quickly changed when I was getting NO sleep at night. I decided when she was a month old that I didn't want to co sleep with her anymore. To some that may seem harsh, but I snore loud and Chad talks, sometimes yells, in his sleep. The first night she was in her room, she slept great! I was like oh yeah, this is going to be great, nope I was wrong again! The past couple months have been a game changer for us. No  matter what happens to her schdule during the day, she always wants to be asleep by 8:00. After some time I kind of just started this schedule and it works great for us! Happy sleeping!

 

Being a Stay At Home Mom

Thank's to some ladies on Facebook, they gave me this awesome topic to talk about! I remember the moment that Chad said I would be able to be a SAHM, it was actually over a text message! He had taken another job at work, got a pay raise, and said I would be able to stay home. I have always wanted to stay home with my children for many reasons. I love the fact that I will be able to see all of her firsts and be there when she needs me. My mom wasn't able to stay home with us growing up, but she did take one day off during the working week. I remember every Wednesday how excited I was because I was able to be home with my mom and she was just as excited to be home with us. When we first brought Ella home I was very blessed to be able to have Chad take two weeks off work to be home with me. Ella was born via c-section and I was in so much pain, luckily he was there to help me out. I had always thought that being a SAHM would be rainbows, unicorns, and butterflies, boy was I wrong! The first week she was home was by far the hardest week of my life. I wasn't used to being up every couple of hours, trying to heal from surgery, changing diapers, trying to breast feed, and changing her cloths constantly. It was like this never ending cycle I really thought would never end. Once Chad went back to work it was really a struggle for me mentally, physically, and emotionally. I felt so guilty because I had want to be a mom as long as I can remember and then I was so stressed out by having a child. A couple weeks later it did start to get easier though. I had seen blogs from Pinterest that showed these moms being "Super Moms." They would have their hair done, freshly painted nail, Starbucks, dressed cute, and most importantly being the best mom they could be. Now THAT is what I wanted to be. I wanted to come off like I had it all together, when I actually didn't. I am really the best mom I can be. I am lucky if I get out of my sweatpants, put on a bra, or actually get a shower in when Chad is at work. I am lucky if I get the dishes clean or get the house vacuumed. But I would take looking this way over being something I am not. I remember the first time she laughed and the first time she smiled, not every mom can experience that. Ella and I have a blast at home she doesn't know I am in sweats and need to brush my teeth. No one is harder on me than myself, I have always wanted to be a perfect mom. Once we got home, I realized I am not a perfect mom nor am I ever going to be the perfect mom. Now that Ella is 5 months old it has gotten a lot better. We are working on a schedule, which is going great, playing more and doing activities, and watching Mickey Mouse of course. A lot of the time things don't happen like you want them to or even plan them too but who cares! Being at home with Ella is the most stressful yet rewarding job I could ever do. I don't get a check every week but I do get a beautiful child who gives me the biggest smile every morning when I get her out of bed. I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to be able to stay at home with her, I love every minute of it.

Couponing

I have decided I want to start couponing. Not on random things, but on the things we actually need. Toilet paper, diapers, wipes, formula, paper towels, ect. But I have NO clue where to start. Being that we are on one income and I stay at home we need to save as much money a a possible. I have looked in the paper, online, and on Pinterest which has helped a lot. I a lot of things we buy are Kroger brand because Chad works for the company we get an extra percentage off of the items. But if we can save more money on the name brands, I will do so. I am just having a hard time starting. If anyone could help me or give me any tips that would be awesome!