We had promised Rowan for months that when Baby Finley was born she would get to play soccer. It was our special “You have a new sister” treat. Those first few days after Finley arrived I was positive I was never going to leave the house again. The thought of doing anything with 2 kids seemed daunting and impossible. We took our first little family outing (My mom included!) 4 days after Finley was born. It wasn’t too bad, but there were 3 adults and only 1 toddler and 1 newborn (who slept the whole time anyway). As the days went on and Kev went back to work, I started to go stir crazy. I had made it a goal to get out of the house at least once a day when it was just Rowan and I. I learned after months and months of being lonely that first year, that the best way to survive any day as a stay at home mom is to put yourself out there, to get out of the house, to meet other moms and to go find some adventure. Yes, it will always seem easier to make an excuse to stay at home. But for us, at the end of the day it will always be easier to be out. Home gets boring and too predictable. So after about a week of being scared of going out with Finley and Rowan by myself, I took the plunge. We started taking daily trips. Off to Soccer we went, to gymnastics, to Moms group, to story time, to even just walk around the mall (ugh! Is it warm out yet?). One of the things I am most proud of with Rowan is how flexible and adaptable she is. We keep a very loose and easy going schedule with her. She takes a nap everyday but sometimes it’s in the car, sometimes it’s at 1:30 and sometimes its at 4:30. Finley is now part of our daily craziness. She is a trooper just like Rowan. I know it’s different for each Mom out there. I’m sure some love a strict schedule, but for us I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have been blessed this past year by becoming close friends with someone who shares these same parenting philosophies. She is just as easy going as I am and our girls have become the very best of friends. I know whatever the day might hold, that she will be up for doing something with us, even if that is just going to run errands together.
Now, if it could just be April already so we could go outside and play…
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That looks like Afrim’s Gym!
She is so cute running around the soccer field!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
That is so adorable! I’m considering putting my daughter into soccer or dance. She loves doing both (she’ll run around the backyard kicking a soccer ball around) so we’ll see!
love this. sometimes I just have to load the kids (my oldest is Rowan’s age and I have a one year old and a one month old) in the car and drive around to feel better …. and then my former self looks at my current self and tells me I’m totally nuts.
You’re doing so awesome … I didn’t go anywhere for 5 months with my first two …. it was truly pathetic.
Such a great post. It’s so true, it’s so easy to make any excuse to stay indoors, especially considering the weather lately. But it’s so much better for everyone if we’ve been able to get out and about at some point in the day. We live in an apartment building, so sometimes we just wander the halls and go to the cafe in our building. Not really outside, but at least it’s not in our apartment! 🙂
I simply want to say I love your blog! I cannot recall exactly how I came upon it, but I was newly pregnant and instantly fell in love with your candor and photos… and ideas for cute outfits!
I am now a stay-at-home-mom with a two-month old. This is a challenge, to say the least. I do my best to leave the house at least every other day, but of course I make excuses due to the frigid temps, lack of sleep, too much to load into the car, what if something happens and I’m alone with the baby, yadda, yadda, yadda.
This note is meant to say thank you for making me smile. I’m not alone!
I will continue to follow your blog. Thanks again. And I adore your fashion sense, both in clothing and decorating! 🙂
This is such a cute post, she is absolutely adorable. I bet that can be daunting.. I don’t even have children and that sounds stressful! I’m glad it hasn’t proven to be too bad 🙂
I love these pictures of Rowan! I’m glad you are taking both of the girls out and about. You’re right– some parents prefer a schedule and others don’t. You have to do what’s best for your children, and I admire you for that! Hope all of y’all have a good (snowy?) weekend.
You’re so right! You have to get out sometimes to survive. we’ve been stuck indoors (I don’t drive and freezing rain + babies in buggies doesn’t really mix!) so I’m counting down the days until spring right along with you!
I am a new-ish fan of your blog and I love your photos and writing. Sometimes I feel (like in this post) you’re writing about my past, certain things are so similar! I am a stay at home mom of a 3 year old boy and 16 month old girl. I so remember those early days with two, when my son was still shy of his second birthday and had to embrace the new arrival… I found it much easier the second time around though, especially as my son was a very busy baby and I was in a complete state of shock for the first several months of his life. My daughter on the other hand has been much more chilled, so with that and the extra experience and confidence it made second time aroundca breeze. Or so my mind was willing to think until I read some of your recent posts and the memories came back:))
Anyways, I just wanted to say that you’re doing great! Your girls are beautiful and you look amazing. These are the difficult early days when it’s ok to be tired, moody and in a survival mode. It gets so much better – I love seeing my two run around together now and have such a great friendship. Love from London!