One year ago I made a huge decision....

It may have been a huge decision but it was by far the BEST decision of my life.....One year ago today I worked my last day at the hospital and one year ago I became a stay at home mommy.  This has been one of the best years of my life. 

BRAND NEW!

Before Brayden was even born I was torn to pieces at the thought of having to leave him with a baby sitter.  I would be in tears each and every time it crossed my mind.  After he was born,  I knew I could not leave him and I knew from that moment that I was meant to be a stay at home mom.  I have worked since I was 16, went to college and worked full time, got my degree,  had a great job that I enjoyed but none of that even mattered anymore once I laid eyes on baby Brayden.  The day I became a stay at home mommy was the day that my new "job" began.  I now have THE BEST job in the world and I would not trade it for anything in this world.  It is a 24/7 job, you have bad days, but they do not even compare to all of the GREAT days that I have with Brayden.  I know that I am his mommy, but he truly is the best baby ever.  He is so smart, calm, loving,  very easy going, and he is so happy. He RARELY ever has a bad day. I am so lucky!

This was Brayden one year ago....My how he has changed!

So how did I decide to become a stay at home mommy?? Well, in all honesty it was a last minute decision.  We both wanted it but we really never sat down and worked out all of the details. My husband has a great job and could support us but it is always scary giving up that extra income but it was so worth it and he actually got a promotion just weeks after I quit my job so it somewhat made up for my lost income.  So, one day before my 12 week maternity leave was up we sat down talked it over and decided that is what would be best for all of us.  I decided to go back to work for six weeks to get things lined out.  I did not want to leave my employer hanging and I wanted to get them caught up from my absence.  In the meantime, Nick traded his day shift for third shift.  He worked all night and watched the baby during the day while I worked out my last six weeks.  He was a lifesaver.  I am so thankful that he did that for us.  He definitely struggled but we made it.  And six weeks later I was officially a stay at home mommy.   My new dream became a reality.  I was going to be his main caregiver.  I was not going to miss out on those first milestones. And thankfully, I have an understanding husband that was completely supportive and encouraging with the idea. I have been a stay at home mom for a full year now and I would not change it for the world.

Being a stay at home mommy is way harder than it may appear. Seeing the same walls, everyday, all  can become overwhelming and like I said earlier, some days are stressful but the good days always outweigh the bad. I would not trade places with anyone. I sometimes think about going back to school for when I do eventually go back to work after my babies are in school ... but right now... I am just enjoying all the time at home with my baby. This is what I consider heaven on earth. And thank you, Nick, for allowing me to live out my new found dream of being a stay at home mommy! I love every minute of it and this is the best time of my life.   The days may seem long at times,  but these years are passing by far too quickly!

I will leave you with poem that I love and it is so very true!!



There are little eyes upon you

and they're watching night and day.

There are little ears that quickly

take in every word you say.

there are little hands all eager

to do anything you do;

And little children dreaming

of the day they'll be like you.

You're the little children's idol,

you're the wisest of the wise.

In their little minds about you

no suspicions ever rise.

They believe in you devoutly,

hold all you say and do;

they will say and do, in your way

when they're grown up just like you.

There's a wide-eyed little student

who believes you're always right;

and their eyes are always opened,

and they watch you day and night.

You are setting an example

every day in all you do;

For the little child who's waiting

to grow up to be like you.