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Made To Mommy

Documenting my millennial mom life

Wow, it’s been a minute…

More like almost three years, but who’s really counting. A lot has happened over the last almost three years; Jadyn is now almost 5 (holy smokes!) and I have a son named Ben who is one. I’m recently separated, with my divorce being finalized hopefully in December and I’m just trying to navigate raising two kids with no husband. Thank goodness for my mom’s help, I’ll just say that.

It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure, but I’m ready to focus on myself and find my true partner in life. I hope you’ll stick around with me as I navigate my new norm.

Xoxo,

Leigh

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Hello 2020!

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Holy moly it has been a long time since I wrote a post on this site. Once Jadyn started preschool my work got busy and I was just trying to hustle so I could enjoy some family time up in Oregon for the holidays.

I last updated you on Jadyn’s first few weeks of preschool and it’s now safe to say that she absolutely LOVES it. So much so I added an additional day this second semester. She has made friends and says “I had fun at school!” when I pick her up. It just warms my heart. Oh ya…now she’s two! I can’t believe I have a two-year-old. It feels like just yesterday I was updating this site saying that she had finally arrived. Now, I’m just maneuvering this thing called toddlerhood.

We kicked off 2020 by celebrating her birthday on the 2nd and just this past weekend we threw her official birthday party with all her classmates. She had a blast, and the parents did, too. We had her party at this fabulous place called Fox & Kit near our home and they were super accommodating. I usually take Jadyn there on rainy days because it’s just perfect.

One of my goals for 2020 is to be more diligent about updating this site! I want to do a better job of documenting how I’m handling everything in this crazy time in parenthood (can you say “terrible 2’s?!”) and also share any cool recipes, tips and tricks and lifestyle hacks.

Now I feel like we’re past the milestone phase and into keeping things fun with littles. I hope to see you in the comments this year!

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Mom Truth Monday: Preschool is Hard

Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

I wanted to start a new series called Mom Truth Monday and talk about things that we deal with as moms (or dads!) that can be tricky, hard, humbling and more.

Remember when I was excited that Jadyn was starting preschool a few weeks ago? Well, three weeks into the school year and I have come to the realization that preschool is hard. Like really hard. More for me than for her, I think.

I’ll be the first to admit that right after her first official day, I walked down the steps to the café by her school, opened up my laptop to start my work day, all while silently crying to myself like that mom. I had to be strong in front of my kid. I didn’t want to cry in front of Jadyn because that would make her really upset and have her transition into preschool life be that much harder. She’d also likely cry with me.

Let me back up here for a brief moment.

Thinking about my daughter as a little person instead of the baby she was not too long ago, my husband and I came to the conclusion that we’d be doing her a huge disservice by not enrolling her in some sort of program before the age of two. She’s such a social butterfly outside of the house; she loves playing with kids, going on adventures, being outside and just loves living life. We decided to enroll her in the local JCC Preschool program, which caters to development versus a curriculum (although, they have a curriculum they do follow pretty loosely).

Jadyn is one of the youngest in her class–she’s only 20 months. This whole transition thing is really hard on her, especially since she’s in a “mommy, mommy, mommy!” stage and separation anxiety is real. Since I have been with her every second of every day (perks of working from home for Red Tricycle), I knew this would be hard, but I didn’t know how often my heartstrings would be pulled every drop off.

While I don’t really believe in astrology, I do think it provides a good sense of personality traits–at least from what I can observe about myself, my daughter and my husband. My daughter is pretty spot on with her Capricorn traits:

  • She’s persistent
  • Not comfortable with drastic change (read: sensitive)
  • Practical (I mean, she’s a toddler so how true is this right now, amiright?)
  • Disciplined

Preschool is a drastic change for her and others her age. Think about it: these little humans don’t have the robust vocabulary or the ability to form thoughtful sentences to articulate what they want. The “bye-bye mama” or “no, no” sentences we get is all 20-month-old toddlers can really form. Unless your little has been in daycare since early babyhood (more power to ya, if so!), then this is total chaos for their brains.

One thing that’s really helped us has been sticking to a morning routine during preschool drop offs. Here’s how our morning goes:

  1. Wake up, have breakfast, get ready and we’re in the car by 8:50 a.m. since preschool starts at 9 a.m. Luckily, the preschool is a 5 minute drive from our home.
  2. On the way to school, I always ask who Jadyn is going to see that day and mention some of her classmates. I always make sure to mention her teachers, as well.
  3. Once we arrive, we walk into the lobby area and say good morning to the fish in the fish tank for about two minutes, then head to her classroom.
  4. Upon entering Jadyn’s classroom we say good morning to her teachers and the kids who are already there, put her lunchbox in her cubby and I always ask her where she washes her hands. After we wash our hands, I let Jadyn either pick out two books for me to read to her or we do a puzzle. Once those books are read or puzzle is completed, I always say “okay, mommy has to go to work now, but she’ll be back right after lunch! I love you.”
  5. This is when the separation anxiety kicks right back in for my little and where I struggle to actually leave. A few times over the last three weeks I’ve had to hand my crying child to her teacher and head out the door. Not my favorite thing.

While I know the tears are only short-term (at least I hope they are), I know this is a drastic change for Jadyn. I have no doubt that within a couple more weeks, she’ll be fine and really excited to go to school and see her friends. Still though, this whole process doesn’t make it easier.

How’d you cope with sending your mini off to preschool? Leave a comment below.

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The Importance of “Me Time” When You’re A Mom

Whether you’re heads deep in the latest project at work, planning countless events, a working mom, a WFH home or a SAHM, “me time” is so important. This didn’t occur to me until my best friend insisted I join her at her wine club in beautiful Sonoma, Calif. (aka, Wine Country). Mind you, she asked and kept asking about three weeks ago, so I figured that’d be enough of a heads up for the hubby to watch our 15-month-old while I go and have a good time with a close friend.

Boy did I need that me time and girl time. I’ve been so in tune with my daughter since she was born last year, then my job when I came back from maternity leave, that I haven’t really taken the time – or the day – for myself. Sure, I’ve gotten mani/pedis since Jadyn was born, but I’ve never really ventured away from comfy clothes and hair in a bun since becoming a mom. Only the rare occasions of a wedding or special event will I get all spruced up.

Since becoming a mom, my focus has been on my child and what is good for her: healthy foods, what products to use, breastfeeding vs formula, is she hitting every milestone, etc, that I have forgotten what it’s like to really be me.

I have missed me.

I have missed getting dolled up just to go out with a friend for an afternoon.

I have missed putting on a cute outfit, perfume and fixing up my hair.

I have missed conversations that don’t revolve around my daughter (although, they all end up that way when your kid is cute!).

I have missed laughing over stupid-funny memes and stories.

I have missed not having to worry about getting home quickly because I felt bad about being out.

It feels so good to have a little of the old me back.

The question I’m asking myself now, is how do I actually keep a little of the old me front and center in this new, absolutely amazing life I have with my beautiful daughter and cozy family?

Short answer: sign up for a wine club.

That’s right, I took the plunge. I signed up for the same wine club my bestie took me to: Gloria Ferrer Vineyards. This will give me an excuse once every three months to venture away from my day-to-day, get dolled up, indulge in a free flight of bubbly and just be me. Granted, I’ll likely bring a friend or two so I don’t have to do it alone.

Since becoming a new mom (or dad!), how did you find your old self in your new life? I’d love to know, so please leave a comment below!

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Hello!

Hello!

Thank you for visiting Made To Mommy. My name is Leigh and I am so excited to share my experiences with you! Head to my ABOUT section on the site to learn more about me.

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For collaborations, reviews, sponsored posts and business inquiries, contact Leigh at madetomommy@gmail.com

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