The Highs and Lows of Motherhood

May 15, 2013 by Mary Grace

Must remember this.

I have a confession to make…I go through phases when I am really overwhelmed (and frustrated) with trying to be a happy mom and good wife, all while trying to build a successful career. I have good days and tough days. I am well aware that life is filled with peaks and valleys. It is hard to be perfect, upbeat, and happy ALL the time. And I am learning that it’s ok if I am not. I am also learning that it is important to teach my child to ride the waves of life’s highs and lows. The good and the bad. It builds character. It will prepare her for the challenging road ahead. I am finding that motherhood especially is filled with highs and lows.

Here are some examples:

High – There are times when I am able to provide a healthy home-cooked meal to be enjoyed by all.  Read more...

Like Mother, Like Daughters

May 8, 2013 by Mary Grace

My Mom

My mother was born and raised in a small town in Sicily. The oldest of six children, she developed her mothering skills early on as she helped raise her younger brothers and sisters. When my parents met in Italy, my dad had already been living in the states for many years. So when they married a year later, my mother had to say good-bye to her family and homeland to begin a new life in this country. I cannot imagine the strength and courage it took to start over and raise a family in a foreign country without knowing the language or having your family by your side. But somehow she managed to create her own loving family and network of support among her other Italian immigrant friends and relatives. Another amazing and brave thing about my mom is that she was 44 years old when I was born! Not an uncommon occurrence today, but in the late ’70′s it was virtually unheard of and considered extremely high risk. But my mother, without question or hesitation, risked her life to give me mine. For that I am forever grateful.  Read more...

Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

May 1, 2013 by Mary Grace

My daughter turns three on Thursday. This age is fun, but it also can be hell (for me and my husband). And while I cannot freeze this moment in time and keep her this age forever, I can write it all down so I remember this challenging, fun, crazy, special age.

Happy 3rd Birthday Mia you are the light of our lives!

This is you at three.

1. We give you about 4 or 5 clothing options when you get ready in the morning and yet you insist on wearing this same shirt to bed and to school for the past week.

Note the blueberry stains. Photo Credit: M.G. Peak

2. You have a nurturing soul and you try to comfort people when they are hurt ♥

3. Tacos, blueberry muffin tops, and blackberries are your favorite food.  Read more...

Advice to My Daughter: Make-Up 101

Apr 24, 2013 by Mary Grace

My daughter is almost three years old. While she loves rolling around in dirt, she also loves all things girlie – shoes, purses, anything sparkly, and MAKE-UP! Many mornings she’ll sit on the bathroom vanity, watching me in amazement as I hurriedly put on make-up before work. The scene is always the same. She tries to grab my stuff. I tell her “no” and she begins to cry and go into convulsions. I relent and give her the first thing I can toss to her, and she ends up with lip gloss all over her nose, eyes, and cheeks. I clean her up and politely kick her out of the bathroom and plop her in front of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Read more...

The Goodnight List

Apr 17, 2013 by Mary Grace

The other day, as we were leaving my child’s daycare, Mia decided she had to say good-bye to each of her teachers before she left. “Good-bye Trish, bye Donna, bye Denise, bye Amy, bye Ashley,” she shouted happily. I was surprised and quite impressed that she could keep them all straight. As we drove home, I started to think about the number of caregivers that help watch Mia while we work. The bunch that Mia said good-bye to? That’s just the Tuesday and Thursday crew. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mia goes to Vicki’s home-based daycare. And sometimes, my sister and her family, pitch in to help when Vicki takes a much needed vacation or if we have to work late. Then, on some weekends we get requests from other family members who crave some Mia time and well, it is very hard to turn down their kind offers. We do not want to limit their time with our daughter and we certainly take advantage of the time she is visiting with them by sneaking in a trip to the grocery store, straightening up the house, etc. I understand it takes a village to raise a child, but sometimes I feel like I have enlisted small army of people to look after my child.  Read more...