Parenthood

This May we received another little blessing, Abigail Joy Root. She is beautiful, happy, and energetic as she could possibly be at 3 months old. Our son, Isaac, is so loving and sweet with her. He has "boy" moments when he screams and growls in her face, but for the most part he loves her just as much as we do. He loves to entertain her and she just gets a kick out of it. Her laughter is contagious and the sweetest noise in the world. I love every moment of being Isaac and Abigail's mommy and wouldn't change this life for any other life. They are my joy. Though I feel that being their mom is the best thing I've ever done I sometimes want to quit. Now I don't want this to be a depressing blog to read, but I feel I need to write about this in hopes that other moms will know they are not alone and be encouraged by what I write. I also hope that I am not the only mom out there that goes through the emotional roller coaster that comes along with being pregnant, delivering a baby, recovering from delivering that baby, and raising that baby to be a decent human being. Don't forget the pressure that society puts on you to be perfect and make your child perfect. I think I was about five or six months pregnant with Abigail when Isaac ran a short distance from me in a store and started being slightly abnoxious and loud. I was being calm and not trying to draw more attention on us by running after him, so with a low voice I told him to come here a couple times when an elderly woman was walking passed me saying, "he's old enough to know better." I wasn't sure if I heard her correctly so I grabbed Isaac real quick, put him in the cart, and made my way towards that opinionated elderly woman. I pulled up right beside her and asked in an annoyed, but polite tone, "what did you say to me?" She replied with, "I was walking to another aisle." "No, what DID you say to me?" She finally repeated what she said, "he's old enough to know better.". I replied with, "don't EVER say that to ANY mother." She kept talking, but we went our separate ways. I was so frustrated that I couldn't even remember why I was at the store. I had to call Wess to calm down. She was right. Isaac WAS old enough to know better, but he wasn't doing anything out of behavior for a two and a half year old. I give that elderly lady props for saying something to me, but she caught me in an already frustrated moment because I was trying to deal with my son. I wasn't just letting him run around the store like a chicken with its head cut off. Most people know how young children act and will never say anything to you, though they may look and stare. There is too much pressure on moms, dads, parents, to keep there children from being children. It adds stress to the already stressed nature of being a parent.

When I was pregnant with Isaac and after I had him I didn't deal with postpartum depression or whacked out emotions. I was happy (like smile on my face every day, all day kind of happy) and thought, "gosh, I could do this ten times over!" Now that I have Abigail I'm saying, "I'm content." I'm content on multiple levels. Not only do I now have a boy and a girl, but I had a hard pregnancy and harder recovery. I was sick for the majority of my pregnancy and even tore a muscle or popped a rib out of place coughing (very uncomfortable). I thought I was having a miscarriage at one point. I couldn't get up from sitting down on the floor because my hips were in so much pain. And the list could go on. This was my second cesarean so I knew what to expect, but the first cesarean I didn't have an almost 3 year old running circles around me and a newborn baby always wanting to nurse while recovering from major abdominal surgery! My emotions have definitely gotten the best of me this time around. I have let my feelings and thoughts drown me to the point of exhaustion and minor depression. I lost focus of the joy that motherhood does bring and let the hard parts of motherhood beat me down until I couldn't get up. Some of you who have seen me would not have known by looking at me or talking to me, but Wess knows I have not been myself, but rather a crazy lady with a growl like no other. I tend to hide behind my smile and make everyone think, "I gots this.". I am now not letting the hard parts of motherhood rob me of the many blessings that come along with nursing your baby, watching them rollover for the first time, or seeing your three year old get excited about Dusty Crophopper (Planes) or as he calls him, Cropty Duster. There have been days especially with potty training where I wanted to throw my son down the hall way. I know that sounds terrible, but it's the truth. It is easy to let those thoughts creep in when anger is getting the best of you. Your son no longer is your sweet baby who you love being with, but they become the little turd who is keeping you from ________________ you fill in the blank. I find I'm the angriest when I'm not getting what I want. BUT what I want is to be Isaac and Abigail's mom. The moment we get married we can't be selfish anymore. The moment we have a baby we have to get rid of ALL of ourselves. There is absolutely no more room for selfishness. Kids are demanding, but I'm glad that Isaac and Abigail demand of my attention, time, and energy. I think I had more to say, but it's late and the kids will be up in five hours. Thanks for reading.

Enjoy motherhood,
Momma Root

iRun

Yesterday marks the first day of running for me. I don't remember the last time I ran. I think it was before I found out I was preggers and I think I ran a little in the first month or two, but then I got nervous to run; so I stopped. I have decided to start a walking/running mile or more. This is huge for me because I tend to start work outs and never do them again, but I am determined (I feel) more than ever to get healthy, in shape, and feel good in my skin. After my son was born I lost all my pregnancy weight and some. When we moved from Colorado to California I wanted to keep losing weight, but instead I did just the opposite. I put back on the "and some" weight. I've kept myself from gaining anymore than my pre-pregnancy weight, but that is just not where I want to be. I use the excuses of, "I'm a mom, Isaac takes up all my time, I'm tired, I'll nap instead..." and the list goes on. I've been feeling lazy, lethargic, unhealthy, and sick. All the things that everybody wants to feel, right? Ha! I don't think anyone wants to feel like that. I always tell myself that I want to do this for healthy reasons, which is good, but in all honesty I want to look how I did in High School. I know that is not realistic and a goal that would never get met, but in high school I was an athlete. I was in shape, energized, and healthy. So, my goal is to become that athlete again who was in shape, energized, and healthy! I also looked good in my clothes. Which is another goal of mine: look good in my clothes, the clothes I have... It is just not in the budget to go out and buy larger clothes!! I might be a little too critical of myself and some will say, "oh you look great!", but I don't feel great. So, I'm telling everyone that I need the accountability and encouragement to get in shape, energized, and healthy. If y'all wanna do this with me let me know. I'm just exercising (stuff I can do with Isaac) every morning, not doing any kind of diet (yet).You can do whatever you feel you need to do to meet the goal(s) you have set. This can be long distance accountability or right there with me. I would love the motivation and I'm sure there are others who feel like I do, but need that accountability partner to get them moving.

Email: LRoot84@gmail.com

FB: www.facebook.com/laurenroot

Text/call if you have my digits

Enjoy Motherhood!

Momma Root 

Big Boy

Holy cow! I cannot believe it! Isaac is 13 months old coming close to 14 months! I used to think it weird that some moms would say they forgot about how their kids were when they were babies, but now I realize that I have forgotten how Isaac was when he was first born. Isaac seems like such a big kid now and I can't picture how little he once was. He has 6 and a 1/2 teeth, alot more hair, size 4 feet, 18 month clothing, he is walking, and saying doggie. As of today he is saying ball and pointing when he sees one. It is so inspiring to see a baby become a kid and comprehend everything they learn around them. Within the last couple months we have moved from colorado to california, found Wess a second job with UPS, and bought a car amongst other things. Some days I feel like an irresponsible person with way too many responsibilities. Just as I can't believe my son has survived his first year of life, I can't believe I'm 28, married, and a mother! 5 years ago I wouldn't have believed you one bit if you told me this is where I was going to be now. I didn't have a plan to get married, but God definitely did. Wess is such an awesome man that works and prays so hard for this family. I never would have thought I would be able to have children, but God knew I was going to be a mother. Being a mother is definitely not glamorous in any way shape or form. Last night after I got Isaac ready for his bath, I kept smelling something horrible. It wasn't until after Isaac's bath that I noticed the poop on my leg and my arm! I couldn't help, but wonder where else it could be... Life has definitely got the best of me within this last year, but I think I survived because of Isaac, this beautiful boy God blessed me with. I have never seen so much happiness in a baby like I have seen in Isaac. He has been laughing and smile since day one. I'm so thankful for him and can't wait to see what this next year holds.

We Shouldn't Be Parents...

 Do you ever think that you shouldn't be a parent? I have thought this to myself quite a few times because of little mistakes I have made here and there, but its those big mistakes that just make you think you are the worst person to be responsible for a child. Sometime around February, Wess and I were getting ready to go to a movie and hand over Isaac to a babysitter for the first time. I was rushing around eating dinner and getting myself ready. Wess was washing dishes when I decided to set Isaac down on the couch and start pumping a bottle for him. When I turned away from Isaac to talk to Wess in the kitchen I heard a loud THUMP and saw a panicked look on Wess' face. Isaac had fallen off the couch onto his back. I rushed to pick him up as he was crying hysterically. He stopped crying shortly after picking him up and we looked over his little body to make sure nothing was wrong and thankfully nothing was. I was so upset at myself and wondering, WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING?!  Letting Isaac lay on the couch so he could roll off! DUH! He has fallen from sitting and hit his head multiple times since, but nothing can compare to what happened today. I always ride my bike to meet Wess for lunch somewhere and today we were meeting at the park for a picnic, but this morning was somewhat of a strange morning and it seemed like so many little things were going wrong along with Isaac being a bit fussy. I was rushing around once again with taking a shower, making sandwiches, and taking care of Isaac. We got everything packed up, on the bike and made our way over to the park. We made it there with a enough time to spare and relax. While Isaac and I were waiting for Wess, we walked down to the river to dip our feet. I let him stand in a very shallow part of the river while holding onto my hands. He always likes to slip out of my hands and try to stand on his own, but he can't stand on his own just yet. When he slips out of one hand I grab onto his other hand. I got a little nervous picturing him fall on the river rocks so I picked him up right when Wess showed up. I handed Isaac to Wess as I made my way up from the river. As we were eating I was feeding Isaac some food when my sandwich fell on the ground and later the Tupperware fell everywhere. It just seemed like all kinds of little things were going wrong. We were eating our lunch in a grassy area, but there were some flat stepping stones around us. Wess was letting Isaac stand between his legs without holding on and he would slightly fall forward as Wess would catch him before falling. I was talking with Wess and distracted him from catching Isaac so he fell on one of the flat stepping stones hitting his mouth. There was blood everywhere, which was a first for Isaac. We couldn't really tell where the blood was coming from so we took him over to the bathroom and cleaned off his mouth. He had bit down on his lower lip, cut his top gum (we are assuming) with his bottom teeth, and scraped his chin a little. I was so worried that there had been some horrible damage to his top teeth because of the blood, but as we wiped the blood away it stopped bleeding and his teeth were right where they were before the incident. Isaac fell asleep on the ride home and woke up happy. I decided we didn't need to go to the doctor and that I would just keep an eye on him. He was back to his normal playful self for the rest of the day and is now sleeping the night away, but it all just made me feel like I shouldn't be a parent; that I shouldn't be responsible for this child. I know I have so much more to look forward to especially because Isaac is a boy, but when he gets hurt I feel like the worst parent in the world and just so sick to my stomach. The joys of being a parent!

(shortly after his fall)

Enjoy Motherhood!

- Momma Root

Get Organized

I love morning walks with Isaac and, as you can see in the photo, he does too. I love to get outside in the morning because the air is so fresh and the sun is so happy and the scenery ain't so bad either. While on one of my walks a couple days ago I was thinking, as I do all the time about way too many things. I didn't really enjoy the walk because my mind was preoccupied with all the stuff I have to get done... make Isaac's food, go grocery shopping, vacuum, do laundry, clean the kitchen and bathrooms, work on Christmas gifts (starting early, I know), take a shower, and the list went on and on in my head. There are times where I feel so overwhelmed that I don't know what to do, so I sleep, haha! I have never been one to organize on paper or be organized at all. I guess you could say that I have had this list in my head and it has always worked... until now! I guess I could blame my forgetfulness on being a mom. Lists not only help forgetfulness, but they help me stay on task, keep my priorities straight, and actually feel like I have more time in the day when I use a list.

To the left is my example of how I might organize my week. Sunday is the only day Wess is free from work so I choose not to do house chores or grocery shopping on this day. Isaac and I just hang with daddy on Sundays. Due to the fact that I am new to being a mommy, it took me a while to come to the conclusion that I need to write things down, not on a napkin, but on paper in an organized list. A couple months back I made a list of house chores that I needed to get done and I got them all done in one day. It was a celebration every time I checked a chore off the list. Though it worked out really well, I did not continue with the list making, but I know I need to because this house is out of control! Usually I sleep during ONE of Isaac's naps, but yesterday I took a nap every time Isaac did taking 6 hours out of my day! Needless to say, things are getting done today and I'm working on making a printable chart for everyday duties. I recommend to all moms if you haven't obtained one already, something of this sort: a day planner, refrigerator calendar, dry-erase board... If I start this habit of making lists now, I believe life will be just a little easier when Isaac is older and we have another child.

Enjoy Motherhood!
Momma Root

Questions of the day:
How do you get organized? What helps you get stuff done?

The B-I-B-L-E

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes that's the book for me
I stand alone on the word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

Children's songs are awesome! I listen to Sunday school songs with Isaac while he is playing not only for him to learn, but for me as well. I don't remember any children's songs because I haven't been involved in Children's ministry for a long time and obviously haven't been a child for a long time. We listen to kids radio on Pandora and I find myself singing those crazy songs at random, but The B-I-B-L-E is on my mind all the time. I realized yesterday morning what I was actually singing and that I probably don't stand alone on the word of God. I tend to find other things to "stand on" for wisdom, strength, and peace. I have been reading the Bible in a Year and a trying to read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Obviously I haven't been reading the Bible every day because I am just now close to finishing Exodus. I get a little selfish at the times I can study God's word and take a nap! Yesterday while Isaac was taking his first nap, I caught myself surfing around on the internet before hanging out with Jesus. Isaac woke up before I was able to open the Word. For some odd reason "The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me..." popped in my head as I was going to get him from his crib. Singing the song gave me the idea that Isaac and I should read the Word together. He is only 8 months old, but when we think babies aren't listening they actually are. As he sat in front of me, with some toys to keep his attention, I read to him Exodus 33 -34 and Psalm 29. He was looking at me the majority of the time and I believe he enjoyed listening to my voice or he was just drawn to the pages of the Bible (he loves to rip things apart).

I read him books all the time ("Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?", "Green Eggs and Ham", "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb", and pretty much all of Dr. Suess), but nothing that takes as long as reading 3 chapters in the Bible and he paid attention! Not only will Isaac possibly gain knowledge from the B-I-B-L-E, but his attention span could be lengthened. My hope is that I raise Isaac to stand alone on the word of God and that we continue reading together.

From our reading, Psalms 29:11 says, "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace", which is so comforting to hear especially when you are a mom. I need God's strength everyday because when I try to do everything I do on my own strength I get frustrated, overwhelmed, and burned out. I also need the peace of God to help me not worry when Isaac hits his head or runs a fever or has worse problems. Having the peace of God helps me give Him complete control. God is there for you at all times you just need to go to Him and sit at His feet.

Enjoy motherhood!
- Momma Root

Question of the day:
What do you like to read to your child?

Article: Reading Books to Babies

Mastering the Art of Juggling a Million Things at Once

Hair in disarray, dirty dishes in the sink, pajamas on 'til 3pm, no clean clothes for tomorrow... and the list goes on. I have probably too many days like this, but still think I have things in control because of the smile on my son's face. I believe mother's can juggle a million things at once because of the happiness on their child's face. How do mom's wake up at 5am, nurse the baby, make breakfast and sack lunches, drop the kids off at two different schools, drive this kid to soccer and that kid to a swim meet and this kid to gymnastics after she picked them up from two different schools with baby in her arm, pick the kids up from their sports, make dinner, gives baths and get everyone in pajamas and under the covers for bed by 8pm and do it all over again the next day? Because it makes everyone happy.

If you have seen this already you can get a laugh again. I am sharing this from someone else so I cannot take credit or have ever had a day like this because I have only one 8 month old baby... Guess I have something to look forward to.. haha!  Stay at home moms are awesome!

A man came home from work and found his 3 children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn around garden, The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and no sign of the dog, walking in the door, he found ...an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, the throw rug was against one wall, In the front room the TV was on loudly with the cartoon channel, the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel... She looked up at him, smiled and asked how his day went.

He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?..."
"Yes," was his incredulous reply..

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

Motherhood Moments

Throughout my twenty seven years of life my mother has shown me the skills of motherhood...

M - mastering the art of juggling a million things at once.
O - offering all of one's self.
T - teaching strength and wisdom.
H - having a heart filled with unconditional love.
E - encouraging and supportive.
R - rejoicing in every accomplishment.
H - hands that care.
O - open arms that will always be there.
O - obeying the call to cherish children.
D - desiring children to reach their full potential.

I am gradually learning these skills while being a stay-at-home mom. Though I know there are many things to learn about being a mother I have found that there are many things that come naturally. Naturally, I worry about my son like I have never worried before. Naturally, I have so much love for my son that I didn't know I could ever have for anyone. Naturally, I have moments of joy and moments of frustration. My hope is that I can encourage other mothers by sharing these moments. There is one moment that I was remembering today about my mom and I. I was sixteen years old when I had just passed my drivers test. My mom was so happy for me even though she probably didn't want me out on the road driving a car. She wanted to celebrate and take me to lunch. She let me drive over to Del Taco and as I was parking just before going into the restaurant I stepped on the gas instead of the break. The car went up over the curb and thankfully I had quick reflexes and stomped on the gas otherwise I would have hit a person and went through the window of a dry cleaners. I can laugh now, but at the time I was shaking, crying, and in awe of what I had just done. As I looked over at my mom with tears in my eyes she looked at me with a smile and told me that it was okay. In that moment my mom showed me how to comfort in any situation. I am so blessed by the example I have and hope to give my son the same example.

May we learn to enjoy the gift of motherhood.
- Momma Root