Bringing Caleb Home - Guest Post by One Ruud Mom

Today I am excited to share a special guest post from One Ruud Mom. Be sure to give her blog some love. 

Bringing my son Caleb home with us was probably one of the proudest, but scariest, moments of my life.

Here I was, a first-time, full-time mom, and I had no idea what I was doing.

Fast forward a year and the joy of being a mom full-time had consumed me to the point I knew I wanted to stay home.  After a talk about finances with my husband Joel and the realization that my whole paycheck was going into daycare and insurance, we came to the conclusion that staying home was possible.  So I quit my job and prepared for life as a stay-at-home mom.

Leaving the workplace, taking him out of daycare, and knowing I'd be the primary source of Caleb's entertainment scared me.  What if we come to realize that we can't afford this and we end up homeless?  What if he hates spending time with me?  What if I'm a horrible mom and I just haven't realized it yet?

Of course, I was expecting to have to make huge adjustments being at home full-time with Caleb.  What I wasn't expecting was to get pregnant right away once I was.

 I know how babies are made so I can't say that getting pregnant was an accident. but being pregnant so soon was unexpected.  After experiencing loss and having to try for almost a year to get pregnant with Caleb, did I think the first time I got pregnant again would take?  Not a chance.

Because of this, we only told a few people the news.

I was an emotional wreck processing the arrival of a second full-time child, but the problem with telling anybody that you are pregnant is that the news gets out.  I was having a hard enough time coming to terms with being pregnant again, on top of that I had to deal with people asking questions constantly and people I didn't want to know finding out when all I wanted to do was stand on a mountain and scream, "I DON'T KNOW IF I'M READY FOR THIS!".

Enter: the struggle with mom guilt.

Having two children at home has always been a hopeful minimum for Joel.  Here I had been saying since Caleb came home that I would be perfectly happy with one but I agreed to try for another and bam! I'm pregnant.

Now I'm thinking, this is too soon.  This is not fair to Caleb.  He just turned a year old and he just started adjusting to life with me at home.  I can't believe I'm doing this to him.

Then I'm thinking that I'm a jerk for thinking those things.  I am so blessed to be pregnant again.  Once I made it through the first trimester, I breathed a sigh of relief knowing we had made it and that I didn't have to go through what I went through with Caleb.  I knew I should be over the moon that this blessing is ours, I shouldn't be questioning it.  But I am questioning it.  For the last six months, I have been feeling all sorts of conflicted that this is my life.

I have been so focused on spending time with Caleb.  I wanted to make the most out of all of the time the two of us have left together, but life happens.

We moved out of our apartment which was the most stressful move of my life.  Then we stayed with my parents for a month before finding our first home.  Then we moved into our first home, another stressful move.  Then Joel had to take on a ridiculous amount of extra hours at work because with the house our finances were wicked tight.  Then Joel took on even more hours because his busy season had arrived, there were so many things, one right after the other.  Time is moving way too fast and I don't know what to do to slow it down.

I have gone to bed many nights crying because I didn't do enough with Caleb that day.  I have dreaded talking to my mom because I know she will ask me what we did and when I say, "We went to the park, ate lunch outside, and then took a nap together this afternoon." I will convince myself that's not enough.

Then more guilt sets in when I share with Joel that I don't think it's enough.  He sees Caleb as a happy toddler that adores his family and to him, the fact that Caleb is healthy and fed and goes to bed every night happy and wakes up happier every morning is enough.  He adds that if I keep stressing out about what we do each day, I'm going to look back and wish I had just lived in the moment.

And he's right.

Guilt has a way of consuming me and what I need to do is just take it day by day.

Yes, life is going to change with two kids at home and if Caleb doesn't hate me for bringing another baby into the picture, eventually he will hate me for something else.  It comes with the territory of being a mom, right?

So today I am saying goodbye to this very real mom guilt.  It has gone on long enough.

Here's to a few more weeks as a pregnant full-time mom of one.

5 Minute Face To Get You Out The Door by: Pardon My French

Hello lovely readers of Three Sisters and Us, Kaitlyn was kind enough to let me take over her blog for a day. I'm Kelsey and I blog over at Pardon My French, where I chronicle life with three toddlers and a baby on the way. I throw in a mom outfit every so often too! But today let's talk makeup....

More specifically, on the go makeup. Clearly we don't all have the time to sit and put a full face of makeup up on every morning, but who wants to be the mom at preschool drop off that looks like an extra in the Walking Dead? Not I my friends....not I. Insert the five minute face!

1. Foundation- When I am in a rush I really can't bother with the whole foundation application. Instead I will use a few drops of foundation mixed with my moisturizer and rub it on my face. You get the best of both worlds right here, moisture and light coverage. You know that....oh I totally woke up like this look. I really like the bareMinerals Bare Skin foundation for this.

2. Concealer- Were you up with a baby all night, or how about a coughing toddler, or snoring husband? Cover those dark circles. My mama always said...fake it till you make it! I love the YSL concealer, but it is a total splurge, Maybelline makes a great dupe for this one.

3. Blush- Cream blush is such a natural looking way to bring color to your face. I like to use creams in the winter since my skin is already trying to soak up all the moisture it can from the Alaskan cold temps. Just a few dabs on the cheek bones and you are ready! Make Up For Ever cream blush is my go-to.

4. Mascara- Wake up those eyes with a little mascara, just a quick coat will make all the difference. My all time fav is the Loreal Voluminous, I don't care how many high end brands I try I always come back to this one.

5. Lip gloss- Last but not least, lips! I usually lean towards the lip stick variety, but early mornings with little children pulling at my legs begging for food that is sitting on the table already.....lip gloss always lip gloss. NYX butter gloss is a staple in my bathroom, car, and purse. They are smooth but not sticky and they come in so many different colors.

And that is it! I promise it is quicker than it reads, and it really will put a little pep in your step for the day.

What are some of your quick morning routines?

5 Simple Ways To Bond With Your Kids This Spring!

This morning I'd like to introduce to you Carolyn from A Lavender Life. I am thrilled to have her guest post today with us on Three Sisters and us. I am a total fan of her blog for a few reasons. One being her blog is very informative in a friendly family way. 

I’m so excited to be guest posting on Three Sisters and Us!   I’ve been a fan of this blog since I discovered it a few months ago. Because each and every post is written with such openness and honesty, Three Sisters and Us is always very refreshing to read. Thanks for having me here, Kaitlyn!  

Today I’m sharing tips and ideas on how we can bond with our kids as the snow melts and the temperatures warm:

5 Simple Ways to Bond With Your Kids This Spring

This spring will be my youngest daughters first. I’m so excited to get her out to the park, to the sandbox, and take her on long walks in the stroller right along with her big sister. The change of weather gives us as parents less of an excuse to flip on the TV and scroll through our email doesn’t it? The milder weather, nesting wildlife, and blooming buds have me ready to put down my beloved bipper and get to the business of bonding with my daughters. Here are some ideas for how you can do the same: 

Crafting. If the word has you ready to roll your eyes and call it quits already, you’re probably as craft-challenged as I am. Fortunately, there are a lot of simple, spring-inspired craft projects out there for those parents who are lacking in artistic ability. Check out Love, Pasta and a Tool belt, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Mother's Niche, Live, Laugh, Rowe and The 36th Avenue for some great spring crafting ideas. 

Planting. When I picked my oldest daughter up from school today she was absolutely beaming over a lima bean she had in her tote bag which we promptly planted in a small cup the minute we got home. This lima bean made her day. I know she is going to love planting flowers with me this year and she already has her own gardening tools (Thanks, Grandma). There are so many fun and creative ways to involve your kids in your gardening plans and projects. Check out this cute idea for a Kids Fairy Garden.

  Reading. Few things that we do with our kids are as meaningful as reading together. If you're looking for some great spring time reads for your kids you are not alone! I recently browsed the aisles of Barnes and Noble and found some great seasonal stories for you to share with your little ones:

• Splat the Cat: Oopsie-Daisy by Ron Scotton
• Spring Things by Bob Raczka
• Spring Is Here!: A Story About Seeds (Ant Hill) by Joan Holub
• Mud! by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

Drive In. Now that the ice has melted and the temperatures are warming, celebrate by planning a special night out with your kids. Pop some microwave popcorn, bring a couple thin blankets, pillows, cash for the snack counter, some sippy cups to protect your ride, and a flashlight for some quality movie time. Just be sure to plan ahead before you go. You might remember from your teenage years that most drive in movies don't begin until after dusk, and that is precisely when the littles start acting out and getting tired. Be sure to push naps later on the day you're going to ward off any serious meltdowns.

Hiking and Walking Trails. Spring is a great time to get out walking, especially here in Atlanta because it will be unbearably hot before long. I've been loading my little ladies into our double stroller and hoofing it around the nearby neighborhoods for a few weeks now and its been great and really relaxing! What better way to see the blooming and budding flowers and trees? If you are more of an adventurous sort, you might rather be out hiking. Due to the enormous size of various hideous insects in Georgia, braving local walking trails are not among my list of favorite ways to pass the time, but if you enjoy a good hike, spring is certainly a great time of year to lace up your hiking boots and seek out some nearby parks with trails.

 What activities do you have planned for your kids this spring?