being a mom is hard.

I know you’ve felt it too.
Days when you just freeze and think…
Man, this is hard

Days when one baby is screaming and the other is in the corner throwing a completely different tantrum and you’re caught in this tornado of emotion just trying to bring the peace and calm it down.

It’s easy to get caught up in these thoughts and have them take over.
And believe me, it happens to me too – a lot.
The only way I’ve found to get out the funk is to do an activity.

Even if it’s something simple like giving Wyatt a spaghetti strainer and some pipe cleaners. (You wouldn’t believe how entertained a toddler can be with just those two things). It’s simple activities like this that can shift your mood from frustrated to blissful. And yes, I know playing with pipe cleaners doesn’t sound blissful to some – but hearing your child laugh from something you gave them is pretty darn cool in my book.

You just can’t try to do it all – because that’s just too much pressure. Each day I try to do an activity with Wyatt even if it is just coloring. I’ve been loving ABCmouse.com because they have lesson plans that are fit to your child. Wyatt really loves the program and we’ve been doing it for almost a month now. There’s all kinds of stuff from coloring, games, songs, etc. Wyatt really gets into the songs! It’s pretty cool.

One other quick tip: THE DOLLAR SPOT AT TARGET. I cannot stress this enough. I am obsessed with the dollar spot. That’s where we get all of our crafting goodies, activity books, etc. You won’t find them cheaper anywhere else and you’ll be thankful for your stash on those days when you want to rip your hair out (honesty). I usually take Wyatt every few weeks and let him help me pick out things that he wants to do. The last trip we picked up a set of ABC flashcards and taped them up on the wall and it’s been so much fun to go over each letter with him in the morning – definitely worth $1!

Some of our recent Target scores 🙂

Wyatt doesn’t nap anymore, so my days usually run from 7am-8pm with him. He goes in his room at 8 and runs around for about a half hour and then usually passes out. The whole “bedtime routine” thing is long gone and we just do what we can to get him to sleep. Levi on the other hand is much easier for the time being – he usually falls asleep around 9 or 10 which is when I go to bed and wakes up only a few times throughout the night.

If you’re wondering how I ever get anything done – I’m right there with you. I really don’t know how I do it because for the most part I’ve always got one or two little ones with me at all times. Even after Wyatt goes to bed at 8 Levi is still up and wanting to play. He is one of those babies that just pops awake around 7pm, a total night owl.

Luckily, I have a husband who understands and gives me the time I need to decompress and relax each night. Every night I spend a full hour in the tub – it’s my way to let go of stress, think, and just be alone in a quiet room. I turn on the relaxation station on Pandora, run a bubble bath, bring a diet soda, and skim through instagram on my phone and answer emails. I know it’s weird but it strangely is calming to do all of these things at once and I look forward to this time each night. When I get out of the tub I am so relaxed and refreshed and ready to take Levi back from William and snuggle up with him on the couch until it’s time for bed.