You'll Thrive if you Unsubscribe

Recently I decided to unsubscribe to all of the retail emails that I receive daily.

The short story is… This has helped drastically reduce The amount of money that I spend. It has changed my thought process about buying or even thinking of buying something or anything. In turn,it has helped change the way I look at spending money.

I used to love receiving coupons from all of the retailers in case I needed to buy something. Now I save far more money in the long run not buying anything at all really, compared against the money I would have saved with the coupon from an email, if I did buy something.

Another great benefit of unsubscribing to retail emails is your phone goes off less, therefore you check it less, and overall you're on your phone less, yielding a better quality-of-life.

Do it TODAY Mommies. Click unsubscribe! 

My First Mother's Day

Today was my First Mother's Day as a Mom. It started off with little Gracie sleeping in bed with me all night last night. There's a first time for everything. I'm pretty against co-sleeping but I wanted to snuggle and so we did. So I woke up with the most angelic face I've ever seen, soundly snoozing next to me. She breathed in and out. I held her hand. I kissed her head. I stared at her for a really long time. Then we nursed. 

My husband worked a shift last night at the Fire Station so he got off work early this morning. He brought Kolaches and donuts home for breakfast. Yummy! Then he took a needed nap. 

Mid morning, Grace and I watered our vegetable garden, played and did all the things we do when we have time...swinging, bouncing, standing, giggling, tummy time, hugging, dancing, etc.  We had some great bonding time this morning. I even did some laundry and didn't hate it. I felt honored and grateful to be a Mom doing Mommyish things around the house, all the while wearing the baby. 

Then Daddy woke up at 11:30 am, and he gave me a card for a 90 minute in-home massage! Hallelujah! He also gave me a picture book filled with photos of me and my daughter. Love it!

Then we went to the zoo and saw all the Animals. I even hand fed a giraffe some Lettuce. Grace and I also went down the slide. She pet a goat too! Next we had a late lunch/early dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Barnaby's. I enjoyed a delicious salad and strawberry lemonade.

In the evening, Gracie had her sweet potatoes meal and milk, splashed around in her bath, then went night night. I enjoyed every single moment with her. Her bright eyed smiles are the highlight of my every day. Her hungry, sleepy tears, while heartbreaking, are the very reason I love being her Mommy, because I yearn to take care of my darling and give her everything she needs. 

We topped it off with some chocolate chip cookies at home, then getting in bed before 8 pm. Wow! It was a day filled with doing fun things that I enjoy. It feels amazing to be Gracie's Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed my first Mothers Day!

Motherhood is not a Competition

If there's one thing I've learned in a little over four months of Motherhood, it is this:

Motherhood is not a competition. I didn't always know this. But now I do. So I'll say it again... Motherhood is not a competition. 

It is not about who had the most ideal birth, the safest, the healthiest, the most natural, etc. It isn't about who need pain relief and who didn't, who pushed for the least or longest, or who didn't push at all. 

It isn't about who gave their child the healthiest food, be it breastmilk, homemade puréed baby foods, Organics, homemade formula, commercial formula, etc. Who cares? Did your baby eat? Good. Be thankful. 

It isn't about who kept their child at home the longest, or who didn't... Or who went back to work or who didn't. Some people get to stay at home, and others cannot. 

It isn't about who hit the gym the hardest or bounced back the fastest. 

It isn't about who maintained their social life pr who didn't. 

It isn't who spent the most or saved the most. 

It isn't about the best baby gear brands, cutest clothes, or best schools. 

And it sure as heck isn't about judging or criticizing other Mothers. 

It isn't about any of this crap. 

Motherhood is simply about loving your child unconditionally and being the best Mom you can be. It's also about being a Mother among other Mothers. Because it truly takes a village. 

If you think Mothers should stop being at war with each other, please share this article. Moms, we should stop the judging. We all need help and support from each other. 

Motherhood is not a competition. It is a community of millions of women who share similar joys and struggles. It's the best sorority in the world and you don't have to have any credentials to get in. You're born with the instincts to raise a child, and you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work and let's all encourage or compliment another Mother this weekend. 

I'm wishing all Moms a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. 

Dish of the Day

My old go-to breakfast was 3 or 4 whole eggs new and 3 (or 4) slices of bacon. I ate this meal literally every morning like clockwork. 

Now that I'm in baby weight loss mode, my NEW go-to breakfast is: (nothing against back really, still love it, just manikin' some changes...)

1 cup of raw spinach

2 eggs, 2 egg whites scrambled with black pepper 

Sometimes I substitute kale 

(And if I'm not lazy or rushed I'll add a tbls Of avocado 

At 3 months post partum, I had 10 lbs left to lose. Now 4 months post partum, I have 5 lbs left to lose til  I reach my pre-baby weight. 

#dishoftheday #fittip #fitThriftymom