It seems that I have found myself back in the space of overcommitted. It’s an easy place for me to get to because I love my work, being challenged and staying busy. I have a tendency to say “yes, yes, yes”…until I want to scream “NO!” Throwing a baby into the mix has brought it to the next level.
WORKFLOW
I am not complaining. I just want to make sure that I stay focused on being the most present and impactful mom, writer and teacher that I can be. I don’t want to be spread so thin that I feel that I’m not doing any of it well. I know where I need to make changes, it’s just hard to do.
While we’re talking work, I need to talk to you guys about something. In the freelance and self-employment world, it seems to be feast or famine. I am beyond grateful to be in flow right now but it feels like it’s all flowing at one time. What I need to say is that I would appreciate both your patience with and your support of the brands that I have chosen to partner with. I know it’s a lot at one time but I also promise you that I never say yes to partnerships that don’t align with MY brand. I work super hard on the content that I produce with my partners and always try to bring you the same value that you would expect from any other post you get from me.
THANK YOU. <3
TEACHER TRAINING
Last weekend was the first weekend of my 200-hour teacher training at Charlotte Yoga. All the feels for leading teacher training at the studio where I first fell in love with yoga 10 years ago. I have the most beautiful group of 14 souls together for this training. I am so honored to lead them on their teacher training journey.
MY FIRST MOTHER’S DAY
I was in TT until 4p on Mother’s Day but I did get the chance to scoop Finn up on my lunch break and to hang with my crew when I got home. This is the best photo we could capture. Zoey wins for posing.
Dorie and her girls surprised me with a homemade dinner. They said they couldn’t let me spend Mother’s Day alone. How lucky am I?
We had baked ziti, buttered sourdough toast that I pulled out of the fridge and a side salad. Everything was delicious and I was grateful for the love and the company.
SULLIE GIRL
My girl is a trooper. Every single day feels like a miracle. She is truly my angel.
She still wants to go on walks every day. When I say walks I mean we cover one mile total in 35 minutes. This is 100% fine with me as I am more than happy to meander with Sullie and let her smell all the things.
A friend of mine came over on Mother’s Day evening to make a mold of Sullie’s paw. She was a great sport about it.
I am currently super stressed about leaving her. Finn and I are flying out tomorrow to visit my family in Florida for the weekend to celebrate his first birthday. My house sitter is so loving and wonderful, but I am terrified that something will go wrong while I’m gone, and I’m also just sad to miss time with Sullie.
TODDLER TRANSITION
Speaking of Finn’s birthday, I cannot believe how much he’s transforming into a little toddler and away from baby. He’s not walking quite yet but he sure is trying hard. He’s this gorgeous spirited soul with a big personality. I am in awe of watching him grow and change every single day.
Off to fold a mountain of laundry and get myself ready to pack for our trip. I am teaching a 6a tomorrow so I need to start winding it down over here.
When did your baby (or babies) walk? Early or late?
How did you celebrate Mother’s Day (either for your mom or how were you celebrated?)
I had one walk at 9 months and the other at 10 months. As a SAHM, I enjoy not having to do for my kids on Mother’s Day. At 6 & 8, they are pretty competent, it’s just that I am not cooking for anyone!
Happy Mother’s Day to you and haha on the cooking! Love that.
No baby starts walking early or late, each meets their own milestones perfectly on time 🙂 Happy first birthday to your little cutie!
I love this sentiment! 🙂
My little girl walked right on her first birthday but my little guy was quite a bit later. My girl was a later talker though whereas my son is two and can’t keep quiet ?. All so different, it’s kind of easier when they’re not walking too soon ?
Yes! I was talking to a friend who has four littles and she was commenting on the walking v. talking thing and how they seem to do one or the other early but usually can’t quite master both. So interesting how they learn and grow.
My daughter took her first steps right around her first birthday….my son did at 8.5 months, and trust me when I say you do NOT want that.
Oh god, there is no part of me that wants that! I’m glad we’ve made it to a year with no walking. Haha.
For both my girls, the couple weeks either right before or right after their first birthdays were when they took their first steps. Love the pic of you, Finn, and your sweet fur babies!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Our little guy is 14.5 months and STILL isn’t walking. He’s been pulling himself up along furniture for months and I think he could walk if he tried/worked at it, but he is so stubborn! When we try to work on standing or taking steps, he puts his legs straight out or squats down to sit. My husband walked at 15 months so I guess he is taking after daddy! I try not to worry about it but the first question people ask is whether he’s walking…
I hope Finn has a very special first birthday. And happy birth day to you, mama! It’s as much a celebration for us as it is for the kiddo – probably more so in the early years! I hope Sullie does well while you are away!
Just wanted to chime in and say our first didn’t walk until he was 15 1/2 months! Our pediatrician assured me that was totally normal and now we basically cannot keep him still (he’s 3 1/2 and runs all over the place)! I felt like I was surrounded by babies who walked at 11 months so I feel ya on the “Is he walking yet?” questions!!
Julie – thanks so much for sharing this about Chase!
Aw, I do truly believe that they are on their own pace and schedule and doing things when they are ready! I’m sure I’ll hear from you that he just takes off one day! 🙂
i’m a long-time reader and full-time supporter of you, so i’m here for the sponsored content as well, Jen! Your partnerships always feel really authentic and, as a fellow working mom, I fully support you doing what feels right and necessary to keep work going. I also got weirdly teary at the thought of your best friend and her family surprising you on your first mother’s day – women taking good care of women is our past, present, and future. Enjoy baby boy’s birthday, it really is the most incredible year!
Hi Elizabeth – thank you SO MUCH for your kindness and support. I cannot even tell you how much it means to me. I know that it’s hard for some people to understand that this is “work” but it is part of how I support me and my son. I try to do my best to make sure that my partnerships do align with who I am and the content that you guys regularly see here. I can’t agree with you more on the importance of women taking care of women. I feel blessed to have such strong and loving ones in my life.
I celebrated Mothers Day for my mother by just spending time with her, and doing lots of sweet things for her. Don’t worry about the sponsored posts, it is just great to hear from you sponsored post or not. Thanks for sharing, hope you’re having a lovely day.
-Kate
https://daysofkate.com/
Sounds like your mama was very lucky on Mother’s Day!
I have a senior pet with medical needs, and travelling is so stressful. A couple years ago we started hiring veterinary techs from our local vet to check in on her when I’m gone, and that has been really helpful. I like knowing that someone with more expertise is checking up on my pet and could take them to the clinic if something seems off. Just something I wanted to share – I just asked the techs at my vet if they did any petsitting on the side and found that several did.
This is an excellent suggestion Amanda. Thank you. It is a very stressful time. Luckily, my dog sitter has been with the girls a lot and stays at my house so I feel pretty comfortable with her taking care of Sullie. She doesn’t have any specific medical needs other than just watching her to see how she’s doing. It’s so hard to be away from her.
I completely understand, it is very stressful to go away when you know your baby is sick. I’m sure that Sullie will be taken care of very well though!
Jen! You are amazing, so keep up the great work. And Brady didn’t walk until 15 months — he went from army crawling to regular crawling, took a couple steps, then took off. Fun times! Baby proofing is a must now, because he gets into everything! 🙂
Hi Ashley,
Thank you so much for the kind words. I am overwhelmed by baby proofing and need to get on it! I especially need to figure out my stairs!
First steps at 11 months and took a break to walk officially at 13 months.
My first walked at 10 months second was closer to 14 months. There is a wide range for a reason; they do it on their own time:)
I think it’s so fascinating!!!!!
My little lady walked on the later side…about 15 months! She was cruising on furniture for a little while before that. I was also freaking out because she was transitioning from the infant room to the toddler room at daycare and I was so nervous she would be the only little one sitting there with crazy toddlers running around! But she made it in walking by just a hair 😉 Now she’s 5 (ahhh!) and trust me, does not make a tiny bit of difference if they walk early or late.
Yes! Finn has the cruising thing down and I’m sure he’ll just surprise me one day and take off. Haha!
My little lady started walking at 10 months, she actually cruises pretty well. Her first birthday is coming up at the end of this month (5/28) and it’s funny. When people see her sitting or us holding her, they’ll guess that she’s 6/7 months old, but when people see her cruising along, they’ll guess that she’s 14 months old! To be honest, her walking wasn’t anymore of a game changer than crawling. Mostly because when she was crawling, she could crawl anywhere and would just pull herself up on things or stand up. So to me, crawling was more of a change than walking! Luckily our house doesn’t have any stairs, so we don’t have too much to babyproof. Also, I tell all my friends to not compare to other babies… Babies are learning so much, so if they aren’t walking, then they are probably focused on learning on something else! This past weekend was my first Mother’s Day and my husband did a pretty good job. It helped that the weather was perfect, in the 70’s.. not too hot or cold. We wore matching shirts, and went to the baseball game where they had a Mother’s Day parade and we got to walk the warning track around the whole field.
You are lucky to have such a wonderful friend who is thoughtful and kind enough to share this special day with you! Being a parent is hard and you are doing a great job!!
We do have stairs so I have to figure that out for sure! I totally get what you are saying about walking and crawling kind of being equal. I cannot believe how fast Finn can crawl across the floor and how pull up on all sorts of things.
I was having that conversation with a friend about them learning and growing so rapidly that some might be early talkers while others might be early walkers but that their little brains usually can’t do both at the same time…haha!
HAPPY FIRST Mother’s Day! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Yes, I am so grateful for my girlfriend. I am blessed.
Don’t apologize or feel the need to explain your sponsored content. We loyal readers are grateful for the awesome content you provide to us for FREE almost very single day! You’re awesome! Thanks so much for this great space filled with information and community vibes!
Thanks so much for saying that Mary Ellen. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the positive and supportive words.
THIS EXACTLY!! <3
I have twin boys who were preemies born at 34 weeks, so I thought for sure they would walk late. Nope. One started walking just before 11 months and the other started just before their first birthday. YIKES.
I had a nice Mother’s Day (my 8th!). My sons made me several very sweet gifts, and I slept in, spent some time cleaning and organizing our garage (a long-delayed project since our move to this house two years ago), and then went to a basketball game for one of my sons and a nice dinner out with our nuclear family and my parents-in-law. Great day.
Wow, that is surprising! I can’t imagine having two starting to walk at the same time!!! I’m so glad that you had a nice Mother’s Day! It sounds perfect to me.
Just wanted to say no need to apologize! Your posts are authentic and true to who you are, sponsored or not. Thank you for creating this corner of the Internet for us all.
My 2 girls walked around 12-13 months. But I am finding with the second that each baby certainly has their own timeline for everything, and comparing them does me no good!
Thanks so much for saying that Krissy. I am really happy to hear that my content comes across as authentic, sponsored or not.
Yes, one of the lessons I learned the quickest with this whole motherhood thing is to drop the comparison. We all walk it so differently and kids are SO on their own time and schedule.
Sage walked really late. He is running and out of control now. Enjoy it while you can.
Oh I am not stressing at all. Definitely happy for him to TAKE HIS TIME! 🙂
My (now 4 year old) son didn’t walk until he was 16 months old which is on the later side. I have a 5 month old daughter now and she seems SO much more interested in moving already, so I predict she will be an earlier walker!
I heard someone (can’t remember who) say that we spend their first year or so trying to get them to walk and talk and then the next 18 to get them to sit down and be quiet!! I had one walk at 10 months and one at 13 – and both are talkers.