Guilty Pleasures

Since becoming a new Momma I have learned to totally re-evaluate how I look at each day. I have been very fortunate to have my Mom and Brandt there for the first week of Bryn's homecoming. Even with their help I felt very guilty doing anything for myself. I felt very attached to Bryn. However, I needed to take some time for myself.

• Showering: sounds silly for you non-Mommas but I am sure that all new Mommys can agree that this was a challenge (more so when help is not on hand). I felt very guilty putting her down to do anything and unfortnately I cannot bring her in with me.
• Making dinner: I love cooking. Brandt and I both love cooking actually. When he gets home from work he takes Bryn and plays with her and gets his "baby fix" and I get to prepare a meal. Even the half hour that it takes to make a simple meal is a great time for me to recharge my batteries.
• Reading a book: I have lots of baby books that I go to for questions. Reading one while Bryn naps or plays on her play yard is a great escape for me.
• Grooming my horse: This was the hardest for me to do because I had to leave the house. This was also the most satifying guilty pleasure because Hano was my first baby and taking care of him always makes me feel better.

The biggest hurdle for me as a Momma to overcome was the need to plan my day and stick to the schedule. With a newborn all plans go out the window when she is hungry, has a wet or dirty diaper, has gas, or just plain needs to be held. These first few months are a time of snuggling and rocking and just eating up my new little bundle. The fact that she needs me is such a wonderful feeling but also having my time so that I can have a little break is a great too.

TIP: I am a list person. Now that Bryn is here and takes ALL of my attention I still make lists but I only aim to accomplish one thing on my list each day. Most of the time it is not all done in one sitting. Usually as soon as I start Bryn wakes up and I forget what I was doing. I have also gotten really good at doing things one handed: sweeping, laundry, vacuuming (she loves the vacuum), dishes, and the list goes on.