Confessions of a Working Mom - Part VII: It Really Does Get Easier

The old me is back, but the old me is still the same me, except a new and improved me. Make sense? Before Annabelle my life was teaching. I was up at work {almost} every night until 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. Austin wouldn't get home much before that, so I'd much rather have been at work being productive then sitting at home. Well, when I got pregnant with AB, I knew all of that would probably change. So, when I was about four months pregnant, I started choosing one late day to get everything done in one evening, and leaving every other day at 3:15. Good plan. I loved, loved teaching. My students became like my own children. I would get butterflies when I learned something new and couldn't wait to implement it in the classroom. When I had Annabelle, I became consumed with being a new Mommy and I was torn between her and my job. That was the problem though, it was never just a job to me. It was a passion. When I was at work, I felt guilty and needed to be with Annabelle. When I was at home with Annabelle, I felt guilty about not doing something at work. Don't get me wrong, I've never dreaded coming to work. I've for the most part, dreaded leaving AB, but never coming to a place to be around kids and watch their eyes light up when they learn something new. Over the two or three months, it's dawned on me; I'm back to the old me. I've finally learned how to balance being a mom and a teacher and I'm loving it. I wasn't even sad to come back after spring break. Even when I type that, I think in the back of my mind, "Ooh. Does that make me a bad mom? Shouldn't I want to not come back?" However, I don't feel like a bad mom. Most of that being because Annabelle has a sitter that is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. She loves Annabelle, and even better, Annabelle loves her. She loves being at her house, but when I pick her up, watching her face light up when she sees me is so worth it. I've noticed something about being a working mom; that time that AB and I spend together is so much fun and I don't take advantage of one second of it. I truly value my time with her, and I think more so than if I stayed at home. Anyway, I'm rambling. The bottom line is, everyone kept telling me, "It gets easier." I'd smile and nod, and frankly not believe them. They were right (thanks, Marci)! It does get easier. I'm not saying that one day the day might come when I want or get to stay home with my children (yes, children...we are planning on more than one), but right now I'm right where I need to be. Full time teacher the first part of the day, and full time mom the last part of the day. It really is the best of both worlds for me. I have a wonderful work family, awesome bosses, and wonderful hours. I get AB by 3:30 everyday and I have the rest of the afternoon to do whatever we want. Not to mention all the breaks and summer time. Thank you for all of you who continued to pray for me when I first came back. It was hard, but luckily I have a wonderful class and I'm having a ball with them. God has truly blessed me with two things I've always asked his blessing on: being a mom and a teacher.

Spring Break 2010: Houston Bound!

Spring break is always such a treat for me, because I get the whole week off and Austin always takes the week off with me. Every spring break for the last two years, we've gone to Destin and lounged around in a condo and laid out on the beach. Well, this spring break was a little different since Miss AB is with us now. We didn't think that she's quite ready for a 13 hour car ride to Florida, yet. Heck, I can barely stand the drive, myself! So, after getting hardwoods installed the first part of the week, we reserved the last part of the week to drive down to Houston to stay with my BFF and her baby. I could hardly wait! I LOVE going to Evan and Nicole's house. It's in such a beautiful part of Houston (Spring) and their house is gorgeous. We had a blast hanging out and just taking it easy - my kind of spring break! It was especially fun to see the girls finally interact with eachother. For a while there, it was just Audrey interacting with Annabelle. Annabelle loved Audrey, but still can't keep up with her. Audrey is on the move and about to start walking. I love the pictures we took of the girls and all four of us! It was a blast and I can't wait to go back in two weeks for Audrey's first birthday! Check out pictures of the fun we had!

So sweet, Audrey would take Annabelle's pacie from her, but try and give her hers.

Seriously? How stinkin' cute is this?

Love this girl!

My favorite girls!

Thank you Audrey and Nicole for spending time with AB and I. We had so much fun!

Seven Months Old

My Precious AB,

Happy seven months, Angel!!! I can tell that this growing up thing is only going to get more and more fun! Your Daddy and I both agree, that you really are growing up!

You were back to your happy, smiley and bubbly self for this shoot. For some reason, you weren't as into smiling for your six month shoot as you usually are. That's ok though, as many times as Mommy has the camera in your face and wanting you to pose and perform, you're allowed those "off" days! I just can't believe that you're almost bigger than your teddy bear! It seems like only yesterday that Jeannie and Larry brought that into the delivery room as a gift to you! Now look at you, so big and pretty!

I have to take a second and talk about the outfit you are wearing in these pictures. This outfit was Audrey's. When were down in Houston a couple of weeks ago visiting Evan, Nicole and Audrey, Aunt Nicole gathered up some of my most favorite outfits of Audrey's that she's outgrown and passed them down to you! This outfit was one of them! She knows I've had my eye on this one for quite some time! I love it on you!

Here is the precious picture of Audrey wearing it! This is one of my all-time FAVORITE Audrey pictures! Such a beautiful and happy girl!!

This month was so much fun because you've really started developing your own little personality. You've even started having a little bit of an attitude! The teacher in me has a hard time with that. I try not to let the disciplinarian kick in, and try and remember that you are only seven months old!! However, when you throw a fit after Mommy or Daddy take something away from you, we are trying to teach you that you can't get what you want by crying about it. Those "fit-throwing moments" are pretty few and far between, though. Overall, you are a very pleasant baby to be around! Everyone comments on your good-natured and happy ways! You really are happy. I think it runs in the family though, because cousin Steston is also one of the happiest babies I've ever seen!!!!! You two are very cute together!

Aunt Kelly is taking up photography as a mini side job, and boy, am I loving you being her little guinea pig. The other day, Cousin Chana and I dressed you and Stetson up in your Easter outfits that Mememama bought for you two. We took you two outside and Aunt Kelly snapped some very adorable shots. Too precious!

I was very proud of you during this particular shoot because you were sitting up so well. Stetson, who is a whole month older than you is an old pro at it now. He didn't have any issues with staying up right, but if a strong gust of wind came your way, you were falling over! You're such a good sport about it, though. You are doing a great job of trying to catch yourself if you feel you're about to fall, and if you do, you just smile about it and roll over or let Mommy and Daddy help you back up. But as you can see from a lot of these pictures, you're doing wonderful!

Oh, and your faces!! The many faces of Annabelle. Most of the faces are happy or goofy ones, but occassionally we'll get some grouchy faces, too. Your Daddy and I crack up at you because you can be "crying" and then we'll smile at you and that frown will immediately turn upside down. Yes, you're acquiring the nick-name, "little faker" around here! No matter what the face, I can't get enough of any and all of them!

Grouchy

Pouty

And....we're over it. See. A little faker!

You've been doing so much better with baby food. Whew. It was a bit of a beating there for a while. You would take about four or five spoonfuls and then refuse to open your mouth after that. Even if I managed to squeeze some more food in there, you just spit it right back out. Miss Laurie had the great idea of thickening it up with some oatmeal, so that's what we've been doing, and it's worked great. You know willingly open your mouth for carrots and sweet potatoes. Then, I usually give you some bananas for dessert. You love bananas!! We've tried some other things, too. I bought you some yogurt melts, and you like those pretty well. I also tried giving you a biscuit cookie. I thought you'd be crazy about it, but not so much. You examined it, tasted it, and that was pretty much the end of that biscuit. We'll try another one again soon, I guess.

You've gotten a lot more affectionate over the last month. You give the biggest, wettest and aggressive kisses of anyone I know!! It cracks Mommy and Daddy up how you will practically eat up our faces with kisses. You come by it honestly, because Mommy and Daddy can't help but eat you up with kissess, too!

You're just so much fun! Mommy loves spending time with you and playing with you! Your Daddy already sees how you and I are very much alike. He pointed out the other day that when we go out shopping or just running around how it makes you so happy, as opposed to being cooped up in the house. Just like me. At nighttime when we put you in your car seat, you cry. We gather it's because it's dark back there and you feel a little scared and alone. You're not a fan of the night. Just like me. When you smile, you crinkle your nose.

Just like me.

This month your biggest accomplishment has been "bye-bye." You started waving bye-bye to Mommy and Daddy, and on occassion, you'll say it, too. We're still trying to figure out if you're meaning to say it or if it's just a sound you make. Whichever way, Mommy and Daddy think you're the smartest baby there is!

I captured you doing it, here. That little blur of a hand is you waving, "bye-bye" to Mommy.

Oh, AB. What fun you are and what joy you bring. You touch everyone's life and your Daddy and I were talking about how addicting you are. It's very hard to walk away from you. You're always doing or saying something so unbelievably adorable. When we take you to church, the store, mall, or wheverever Mommy and Daddy are constantly stopped by people wanting to talk to you and see you. You usually give them one of your precious smiles and then they're hooked. Mommy and Daddy have stood around for minutes at a time while a stranger talks to you. You've definitely got a way about you, AB.

I mentioned earlier that you are really developing your own little personality. You are quite the ham and make Mommy and Daddy laugh all the time. On occassion, you'll laugh at yourself. That's the cutest of all. Yes, AB, you keep us very entertained and happy. Daddy and I are happier than we ever could've imagined and love you so much. Thank you so much for being you and making us so proud. We love you, sweet girl!

- Mommy

Sitting Up

My big girl sat up for the first time on 3/3/10. It started out as an experiment to see if she could do it. I sat her down, kept my hand behind her so she wouldn't fall over, and when I took my hand away, she stayed!! It wasn't too much longer after that that she started swaying and I caught her before she fell, but after practicing a few times she got the hang of it. These pics were taken later on that day. I think it's so cute how she has her little hand out propping herself up. *Sigh* she just keeps growing and growing. Such a big girl - mommy is so proud!

Tucker Glen Sperling

Just excuse the fact that this post is long over due! One of my best friends from high school had her baby in February. Just like me, this is her first and I'm thrilled that our babies are only going to be six months apart. I'm happy to announce that Tucker Glen Sperling was born on February 16th, 2010 and weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and was 19 inches long. Isn't he precious?

What a perfect little angel! Congratulations to Katie and Josh! I love you guys!

Taste Testing

We recently started experimenting with baby food. She was almost to the six month mark, and I thought we'd try some foods out before we made it a regular thing. First on the menu: carrots. AB was super cute to be sitting in her high chair for the first time and she was excited about it, it seems!
Daddy was all ready to give her carrots! Such a big girl in that high chair!

Hmm...not too bad for the first taste. It wasn't a lot, but she seemed ok with it.

Most of it ended up coming back out of her mouth. My best friend told me this would happen, because they aren't used to the textures and having something that thick.

She appears to want more.

Ok, not so much. What a face!

She looks a little defeated, huh?

That's enough. Enough taste testing for now.

Since then, she's gotten used to the carrots and appears to like them. We just gave her green beans the other night, and they weren't such a big hit. If at first you don't suceed, try, try again!