Stayin at home

When holidays come, I want my little boy more than anything! Children make ALL holidays that much better. At least I teach preschool so I still see some of the magic...but I can't wait to make holidays special for my OWN little ones.

Now for a little soapbox moment. (If your going to get offended at me believing it's important for the mom to stay home with her children...then just don't read this. haha) Last night Tyler kept waking up because he was randomly stressing out and he would wake me up every time he got up. He kept apologizing and felt so bad for waking me up so much, but I didn't mind one bit and I would scratch his back until he relaxed enough to fall back asleep each time.

Why didn't I mind?

Because I knew I didn't have anywhere to be this morning! Not that I would have minded anyways, but I would have been wishing I was sleeping too. But I knew that I got to sleep in and have a lazy morning so it didn't bother me the tiniest little bit. This morning when I woke up and was thinking about it, I realized that's another reason why I really want to be a stay at home mom. When my child wakes up in the middle of the night I don't want to be selfish and worry about having to get up in the morning or think about all the sleep I'm losing (sometimes I think I love my sleep a little tooo much). If they get sick I don't want to have to worry about who is going to stay home and stress over silly things like that. I WANT to be there, I WANT them to know that I WANT to be there, and I DON'T want them to have worry about it either. (I feel like at a certain age, they'll start to feel guilty for getting sick if it stresses me or Ty out, because I know I would've as a kid). I understand some like to work outside of the home, and that's their choice. We all make sacrifices one way or another. For our family, we'll be sacrificing income and the security and extra cash a second income provides and we'll sacrifice some fun things because we won't be able to afford everything that comes our way. Things will be tight, but we'll be fine because that's what we want...that's what is important to us. I understand that there are those out there who feel like they need a second income or who don't want to give up their career or social life, and that's fine...that's their choice. They make their sacrifice in other areas.

But I feel like 90% of the time it is a choice. It bugs me when people say, "oh you're so lucky that you'll be able to afford to stay home."

Luck has NOTHING to do with it.

We have planned for this since before we were married. We have made every single financial decision based on me staying at home after we have a child. It takes planning and budgeting and sacrifice, but I know it will be oh so worth it. Yes, our Heavenly Father has blessed us beyond comprehension with the job that Tyler has, that allows us to make this decision. But I believe it's because we were going to do it no matter what. He knew it was a priority for us and that we're doing what he has asked and we have been SO blessed because of it. But I strongly believe it's because we've done our part in it. Maybe Tyler would have got the job he has even if we hadn't planned on me staying home, I don't know. But I do know that Heavenly Fathers plan is for the mom to stay home and raise the children. Read, "The Family: A proclamation to the WORLD." It's as plain as day what our roles are as MAN AND WIFE. (Don't even get me started on that! haha)

I'm proud to be a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I believe that my role as mother is so extremely important. I believe that I'm just as important in the church as any male. I'm all for equal opportunities, but equal doesn't mean the same.

Anyways, that's what I believe wholeheartedly, my opinions won't change because I have a testimony that they're all true :) I hope that nobody gets offended reading it because I still love EVERYONE no matter your choice or beliefs (if anybody even reads my blog, hahaha). It's just been on my mind as of late.

23 Weeks!

How far along?  22 Weeks 6 Days
How big is the peanut? A POUND!
Total weight gain/loss? 11. Apparently right on track...so we'll go with it.
Maternity clothes? Bought a maxi dress that I LOVE! And Charli loaned me a couple shirts and pants as well. I know they say you can go without, but life is so much better with. Comfy is what I aim for. I still fit into my skinnies though...with the help of an elastic band.
Sleep? Totally depends on the night, sometimes I toss and turn all night switching the danged pillows side to side and tucking and what not. Others, I zonk out with weirdo dreams. I tried Unisom 1 night...HATED it.
Best moment this week? Hearing the heart beat again :) LOVE those appointments. 154 as always. He likes to stay in that 150 range.
Symptoms? Morning sickness still depends on the day. But I've had 2 good days in a row now! And my icky acne is clearing up to...ahhh back to my skin :)
Food cravings? Nope, not really.
Food aversions? The thought of lemons still makes me ill, I don't even like writing about it...and that's about it. Sometimes sweets get to be too much. Definitely have to limit my intake cause it just starts to sound nasty.
Gender? Baby BOY BOY BOY!!
Belly button in or out? Still in. Though Tyler says it's starting to look like it's stretching. (pleeeease let it stay in)
What I miss? Sleeping on my belly and running around with the kiddos at school for longer than 2 minutes without cramping. haha
What I'm looking forward to? The glucose test next dr visit! haha JUST KIDDING. Drinking fluids is not one of my strong suits and never has been. So drinking 10 oz of anything (even if it's good!) in 5 minutes with nothing to eat...yeah, it's going to be a challenge.
Milestones? He can hear and feel and taste and just about everything! And we're past the halfway point!