Today, I feel like a stay at home mom.
My almost 1 1/2 year old slept in (after waking once in the night). I made us pancakes for breakfast. We played outside. While he napped in the afternoon, I baked banana chocolate chip muffins. Ironically, I don't have a vehicle this week, so I feel even more "stranded" at home. But, I assure you, this is not a typical day for us. Some days are easy and some days are really hard.
I read an article which captured it well. After working full-time for a decade, in my chosen profession, and then making the transition to staying home to care for my son full-time, I can say wholeheartedly that it is wonderful and it is amazing hard work. I can't tell you how thankful I am to be able to witness all of Marshall's firsts. I don't have to rush him out the door every morning to go to work (at a job that I truly enjoyed). I'm the one who changes his diapers all day long, feeds him endless snacks throughout the day, and takes him to the park. We can even stop for ice cream in the middle of the afternoon (usually more for me than for him). He's watching me and I'm teaching him every single day, all day. It's amazing, it really is.
It's also more work than anyone can prepare you for. Before having a child, my husband and I had a pretty laid back lifestyle. We both worked 9-5 jobs, but we ate dinner together, relaxed and watched TV, took day trips and vacations, SLEPT IN, enjoyed hobbies, shopping, doing projects around the house. At the time, I knew I had a lot of "free" time, I just didn't realize that it would be completely eaten up and so much harder to come by, after having a baby.
I'd say that time has been the biggest adjustment for me. The lack of time to do regular tasks, like take a shower, go to the store, read, sit down and eat a meal in peace, see friends. My entire day revolves around my sweet babes schedule and his nap time. Oftentimes I feel like I'm racing against the clock. Trying to get as much done as possible in my limited "free" time. I've been realizing, the more time passes, that I continually need to die to myself and that the "old me" is not who she was anymore. Not entirely gone, but definitely different. I'm not living for myself, I'm living for someone else. A sweet, funny, sometimes screaming, busy, growing, determined, has a mind of his own, little boy. It's hard to give up "me time" and say "no" to people and activities I wish I could partake in. It's hard for me not to get dressed up and wear makeup and actually do my hair. I miss being able to sit at my favorite spot, sipping a latte while eating a scone. In silence. Alone.
And the exhaustion. I don't know if it's because I'm raising a boy, but he wears me out! We go from one activity to the next, trying to keep him busy, entertained, and happy. All. Day. Long. The other day, we went to the splash park, went for a bike ride, played outside, then in the evening went for a stroller walk before bed. It's go, go, go! My days are full, from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed at night. Don't forget meal times and snacks for days. By the time I collapse on the couch and ponder what I want to do with my couple hours before bed, I'm too tired to do anything.
But, I keep reminding myself, that each day, he's never going to be this little again. Every single day is a gift. One that we get to share together. We can laugh and have fun and explore. It's not going to last. I'm already in disbelief that he's almost 1 1/2. He's not a baby anymore. He is definitely an active toddler and is growing by the minute.
And I'm so thankful that I get to share every minute with him. Being a mom, and being a stay at home mom, is truly a gift, in so many ways.
Even on the tough days.
When I was making monogrammed felt bags, I got the idea to make an Easter card with a little chick on it, out of felt. It was very easy. I started with one sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch white card stock, which I lightly scored then folded in half. I cut out felt shapes to make green grass, a light blue egg and a yellow chick with a pink beak, which I carefully sewed, piece by piece to the card stock. I used my sewing machine and white thread. You could sew on any shapes you like. Add a googly eye - those things crack me up!
Then I needed an envelope. Since the card size was rather large (5.5 x 8.5 inches), I used one sheet of 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper. I folded the left and right sides in at 3 inches, the bottom flap up at 1 inch, and the top flap down at 2 inches. Then I cut down and across to remove the side flap corners that were not needed.
I used my corner rounder punch for the top and bottom flaps to give them a nice finished edge.
Using a glue stick, I glued the center flap then the bottom flap.
Fold down the top of the envelope and you're done! Now you have a cute handmade Easter card and envelope. These would be fun to make with kids.
This Easter, we're going to visit family in Pennsylvania, and we'll get to see two of our nieces, Sydney (5) and Morgan (2), who live in Ohio. I wanted to give each of them a little gift, so I thought of making them felt bags to hold some crafty goodies (and some M&M's). Laura, if you're reading this, don't let the girls see what they're getting!
A little sketch pad and some stickers. When I was little, I couldn't get enough stickers! (I still love stickers) And some age appropriate markers/paint (washable of course).
I seem to have an abundance of felt in my craft closet, so that's what I used. Two pieces per bag, and some extra felt for the monogram and circle.
Felt sizes vary. This one was 12 inches by 9 inches.
Cut TWO PIECES OF FELT like the photo above:
-One 12 inch by 2 inch piece will be the handle
-Two 7 inch by 7 inch squares for the front and back
-Three 7 inch by 2.5 inch pieces for the left side, right side, and bottom
(You will have two pieces leftover)
Your pieces should look like this. Cut a 4 inch circle out of a different color. Draw a letter for the monogram on another color and cut it out.
Sew the letter to the circle. Then sew the circle to the front of a 7 inch by 7 inch square. Make sure its front and center.
For this bag, I wanted the seams to be outward. No need for turning inside out or perfection. Stack one of the 7 inch by 2.5 inch strips under the bottom of the 7 inch by 7 inch square front. Sew it to the bottom edge. Then sew the other end to the other 7 inch by 7 inch square back.
Here's a closeup view. If they don't line up perfectly, it's ok. The side panels will fix that. That's what makes it handmade, right?
Next, sew the two remaining 7 inch by 2.5 inch strips (side panels) to the bottom flap. You don't have to sew quite all the way to the edges. When you sew up the sides, you will sew all the way down, and connect the corners. It should look like a cross. Above is the inside view.
This is the outside view.
Now sew up all the sides. Line them up, pin in place if needed, and sew the front to the side panels and the back to the side panels. I started at the top (the opening of the bag) and sewed down to the bottom (making sure to connect the corners).
When you're done, it should look like this, and be able to stand up. It's just needs a handle.
Sew the 12 inch by 2 inch handle to the top of the side panels.
Now you have an adorable felt bag, perfect for giving Easter, birthday or anytime goodies!
And it's personalized with their initial. As you can see, I had a little trouble sewing on the "S". The "M" was much easier!
Easy to make and fun to give!
