Category: Motherhood

6 Rookie Mistakes New Moms Make.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 41 Comments

Becoming a mom was the best/scariest experience! Being a first time mom myself I know just how scary it can be not knowing anything.

I’m here to give you a few tips today on the mistakes I’ve made as a new mom in hopes it will help all you other mamas out there!

Moms supporting moms is my favorite thing!

Believing everything you hear.

I can’t even tell you how much advice you will get while you are pregnant or a brand new mom.

Some of it is fantastic but then there’s the horror stories and the snarky comments.

Trust me when I say, you just can’t believe everything you hear. Every parent has a different experience with parenthood. Every birth is different.

Most of your anxiety comes from listening to others and your own mind so relax mama, you’ll be fine!

Not napping while the baby naps.

I was notorious for this. I felt like I needed to get EVERYTHING done while the baby napped but you don’t.

You really, really don’t!

Take that nap, or just take time for yourself when your baby naps. It’s so important and you will appreciate it in the long run!

Comparing your baby or yourself to others.

Just don’t do it. Nothing good will come of it. Each baby goes at its own pace and that’s perfectly fine. Just because your friends baby is walking at 8 months, doesn’t mean your baby won’t be up and running around soon!

So many women I know were having babies when I had my son and I felt myself comparing and it was the worst thing I could ever do.

Just because one mom looks like a superhero by getting everything done, doesn’t mean she’s not exhausted and feeling as defeated as you are at times.

Don’t compare!

Ignoring your spouse.

I feel like the easiest thing as a new mom is to get wrapped up in the baby, it’s just the most natural reaction to motherhood.

But don’t get so wrapped up that you ignore your spouse, the one who helped create this beautiful tiny human. Yess they might seem annoying because they get out of the house daily or get to sleep more but they are feeling overwhelmed too so lean on each other.

Communicate and be kind to each other.

Take time for yourself.

Even if it’s just an hour at your favorite store or 30 minutes reading a book. Or even a nice long hot shower.

Do it.

Take time for yourself as much as you can to recharge, to clear your mind, to breath.

You’ll be a better mom, you’ll feel better and you just need to do it.

Ask for help.

As much as you want to, you can’t do everything. It’s impossible.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having a support system will be the best thing for you and your family.

Whether it’s meals being dropped off or maybe just an extra hand with laundry or dishes. The best thing I ever learned as a first time mom is definitely not to be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

I hope this helped you out mamas! And if you are a seasoned mom please feel free to leave advice in the comments below!

Always love hearing others experiences since everyone’s is always so different ❤️

A Letter From One Exhausted Mom to Another.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 45 Comments

Dear mama’s,

I wish they knew how hard we try.

Lately I’ve just been so burnt out. There really aren’t enough hours in the day.

I just can’t keep up.

For a very patient person, my patience’s has been thin lately. Juggling all our rolls is tough.

I don’t know how some make it look so easy.

Mom life

Wife life

Full time working life

Plus all the small things in between. It’s exhausting.

I yell more than usual which is no fun. But when you have a preschooler who “knows everything” and a toddler who is a pure wild child, it happens.

I feel like I’m either asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow or laying wide awake at night feeling guilty about not playing enough or not finishing the laundry or just knowing my head wasn’t in the right place that day.

I know this is just a temporary phase but sometimes even though I have all the help in the world which I am so grateful and blessed to have, I still feel alone sometimes.

Anyone else?

It just feels like you have so much on your shoulders and even when the weight is a little bit lifted, something else comes long.

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.

I guess I’m just trying to say is that, I see you.

I see how exhausted you are.

I see how guilty you feel when you have a bad mom day.

I see the work you put in to your family and your life.

I see how hard you try every day.

I get that sometimes that’s all you want.

To be seen.

For everyone to know how hard you try.

I see all you mama’s out there and I hope you know how great of a job you’re doing.

How all these sleepless nights and tired days and exhausted body’s are worth it.

You are doing amazing.

Us exhausted moms will stick together.

Love,

One exhausted mom to another

10 Fun Facts About Marissa!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 22 Comments

Hey Friends! I wanted to do something fun today and kind of a get to know me type post! I love reading these and wanted to share some things about me.

1. I am TOO optimistic! The glass is always half full in my greener pastures! Everything is sunshine an rainbows 99% of the time.

2. I wanted to be an algebra teacher. I know it sounds super crazy but math was always my favorite subject!

3. I performed in plays throughout my childhood until I was a senior in high school! My favorite was Anita from West Side Story.

4. I married my husband when I was 18! We were BABIES (kind of still are)!

5. I HATE cooking, but LOVE baking! If I’m cooking it’s either a crock pot meal or something very simple, but I will bake you ANYTHING from scratch.

6. I hate winter! It was my favorite season for ever, until last year. Now I long for the days of summer!

7. My favorite color is green. More specifically lime green! The brighter, the better!

8. I used to play a TON of musical instruments! I played the tenor saxophone in band, I played a bit of piano, and guitar once I got older. My favorite instrument is the hammered dulcimer. Look it up if you’ve never heard or seen one.

9. I’m very strong willed! I try to speak my mind as much as possible and stand my ground.

10. Family is THE most important to me, but it’s always God first.

Thank you so much for reading! 💕

Adventures of a Toddler/Puppy Mom.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 42 Comments

So I’m a pretty big optimist. It’s definitely one of my weaknesses but also strengths.

I had this perfect picture in my mind when thinking of getting a puppy. Anyone who knows my sweet bub knows how much he loves dogs.

Every time he sees a dog he points to them and yells dog! Excitement in his eyes. So my hubby and I were so excited at the opportunity to bring a pup home shortly after Christmas.

Well…..my son still loves dogs but a new puppy in his home getting the same attention he does?

Uhhh yeah…didn’t go as planned

I was so worried about if Boomer would bite Easton and all of that but I didn’t realize I would have to worry about bub being nice more!

I think I yell NO or STOP and there’s definitely some GET OUT OF THERE’s about 20 times a day.

But soon it eventually turned into one of those TikTok videos (if I knew how to make one I would) when they say “what I thought having a toddler and puppy would be like” then it rolls into “what I got” and you suddenly hear the bad sh*t song come on.

Not even joking, these two are partners in crime and when I say they get into everything I mean EVERYTHING.

I don’t even know what’s hidden under my couches with the little hands pushing things be the little tail wagging around.

Bub is sweet but has learned how to get into the dog food container and secretly feeds Boomer extra food even if it’s just a few pieces at a time.

I now never ever go to the bathroom alone. There is a toddler getting into the vanity and there’s a puppy getting into the bathroom trash.

When I leave the room and it’s quiet, you better bet mischief is happening.

But we are a little over a month into this new toddler and puppy life and they are slowly getting used to each other.

Yes there’s some puppy bites.

Yes there are accidents.

Yes there is some tail pulling.

But we are navigating and embracing this new adventure (told you embracing was my 2021 motto!)

And it’s been fun and exhausting and super cute and the cuddles are the best ever because I get cuddles from both and sometimes at the same time! I missed my feet being warmed by soft fur❤️

Moral of the story is, I love my little family so much! I can’t wait to share more adventures of Bub and Boomer with you all!

Embrace The Chaos.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 38 Comments

Sometimes I just feel like life flies by right before my eyes but when I look, I’m still sitting in the same spot.

Each day is a new day but it’s the same routine.

So what do I do?

Embrace it.

Embrace the chaos.

That’s my motto for 2021.

The mess of toys.

The long sleepless nights and days.

The dirty laundry.

Dishes needing to be done everyday.

The screams and giggles and little feet padding down the hallway.

The crayon marks, the carpet stains.

Everything under the sun being under your couch. (Literally, I have no clue what some of the things even are…)

And under the stove…

And of course we can’t forget the refrigerator.

The feeling of there’s not enough coffee or wine in the world to help you today.

The deep breath you find yourself taking to keep your patience going.

The ache of your feet after a long day at work.

Embrace it all because how lucky are we to have it? Honestly.

I would never want to imagine a life without it. The chaos.

Embrace it all.

You’ve got this.

I’ve been sick…

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

I’m back! I was sick last week! Not COVID either, just a regular seasonal cold. Those are still happening believe it or not. I thought for sure we weren’t going to get a cold this year with all this hand washing and mask wearing!

This week I want to tell you my cleaning tips! I HATE cleaning. I try to make cleaning as quick and simple. With having gotten sick last week it made me realize that I need to focus on disinfecting better.

Tip number one: wipe all your door knobs DAILY! I know it sounds silly, but many people if you were to ask them probably don’t do this as often as the should. I have started making it part of my routine. I give my kids (who are 9 & 7) a wipe as well and they have their doors to do as well! I wipe down faucet handles, too!

Tip number two: have bins with your kids name on them. Anything that is on the floor at the end of the day, goes in that bin and into their room. They know it is their responsibility to put those things away. I know a lot of my friends have younger kids then I, but it’s never too early to teach them the importance of picking up after themselves.

If you have hard floors I suggest buying a steam mop! It does WONDERS! We use this a few times a week for sure. With kids and two dogs, it’s a must!

Lastly, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are your best frien when you have kids or pets! Crayon on the wall? Scrub it off with the Magic Eraser! Food cooked into the stove top? Magic Eraser! We buy the big pack because I know they’ll be used!

Now that your house is clean, sit down and enjoy it for the next 15 minutes before it’s dirty again from the dogs or kids!

Stay safe out there. COVID is on the rise in our area, and it’s scary! Also, feel free to leave your cleaning tips below!

Why I Put Myself In Time Out.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 29 Comments

It’s been hard lately, I’ll admit it.

I know we hate to admit it as parents but sometimes you just need a break from being so up tight and being frustrated!

No one needs it.

So I put myself in timeout this past week. I sat down and thought of what I need to do differently to be better. To be more present and more understanding.

My son is at the age where he is bossy and learning so many new things. And along with those new things is temper tantrums. Who knew terrible two’s would start at 15 months!

It’s been exhausting. I’ve been short tempered, I haven’t been sleeping well, I’ve been working longer hours then normal. It’s just been an anxiety filled last couple of weeks.

So I put myself in timeout to figure out what needs to change and I came up with a great list!

Number one on my list was a social media break. It’s been fantastic! The relief of not seeing everyone’s opinions and problems can be refreshing when you need it. I can’t believe how toxic social media can be at times for your mental health.

I started my Christmas planning. I am a firm believer on do what makes you happy! And Christmas makes so many of us happy, so why not start decorating early this year?

I also started on my Christmas gift list. I love planning everything out and I really want to go small and meaningful this year. Especially the DIY gifts.

Taking time to get on my sons level and be more patient on what he is trying to tell me or show me even when he is doing it in a tantrum way.

Putting the phones down around my husband more and create time together even if it’s an hour of tv cuddles on the couch before bed. It’s crazy how much you can miss someone you live with when your schedules are always so opposite!

So do yourself a favor and put yourself in time out for a bit. Think of the changes you want to make as we come up on the holiday season and a new year.

There’s always room for improvement and to detox the bad out of your life! And who knew being in time out could be such a good thing as an adult!?

Stay humble and kind my friends!

Healthy and safe!

The Imperfect Mom.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 24 Comments

Wow, it feels good to be back on the blog this week!

I took a much needed break from the blog, and the socials. We have had a lot going on these past few months.

A lot of hard decisions were made regarding school, and work. I don’t necessarily regret decisions That I’ve made, but if I could go back and make those changes I probably would.

However, I am learning things about my expectations aren’t necessarily attainable or something I can make a reality. I’m trying to form this “perfect” life that is an Instagram highlight reel.

Having a clean, perfectly organized house was something that I have always strived for. Now don’t get me wrong here, my house is far from it. However, I do think that having a well organized house, definitely helps with having a happy environment. It is so nice that when we go to do a craft or want to play with our Barbies, that I know exactly where to go to find the stuff we need for the activity.

I’ve recently reminded myself that my daughters are not going to remember how organized, or disorganized at the moment, the house was, they’re going to remember how warm and joyful our home was.

I’m also trying to stop comparing myself to other moms or women in general on social media. Amanda has touched on this subject before, and she said it so well in this blog here. She also wrote a good one about Expectations v. Reality!

Let’s face it, our faces (no pun intended) are in our phones and iPads more now then ever. I find myself constantly scrolling through social media saying to myself how I wish I could have all those clothes she has, or I wish I was as skinny as her, or even asking myself why would someone need that many hand bags?!

The world of social media is a wicked one. People post the good, not the bad. I am trying my hardest to not compare myself. I’m taking more breaks from social media (and our blog apparently). I am enjoying the quality time I have with my family.

Being a mom is rewarding and hard as hell. Every mom will tell you that. There is no “perfect” mom. We all have our spectacular mom days, where you are exhausted because you did all the things your kids wanted to do that day, but we also have our imperfect mom days where you sat on the couch watching The Home Edit while they played (argued) for four hours in their room. It’s called balance, ladies and gents!

So, drop the hard expectations you have for yourselves and be the mom you want to be. Create the childhood you want your kids to remember.

I couldn’t leave the blog without wishing you all a Happy & Safe Halloween! It is hands down our favorite holiday. We are too excited! I will post our costume on our Instagram and Facebook, so make sure to follow us on there, but here’s a pumpkin picture!

Thanks for reading, and I’m glad to be back! ❤️

Motherhood Takes A Village.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 20 Comments

I want to start out by saying you mama’s or dads who have to do it alone… you are pure super hero’s.

This raising kids thing? It takes a village.

What a scary week we had last week.

There is nothing worse when your little is sick and they have no way to tell you what is wrong. My heart was literally breaking last week when my bub got sick. Thankfully we are on the mend but holy cow.

You know what though? I literally have no idea what I would do without my husband, my family and my friends and that is where this village thing I am talking about comes into play.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed and on my last straw, Elle Woods break down throwing chocolates at my TV screen, I am so happy for my husband. My rock. My shoulder.

When I have no clue what I am doing on this new mom life adventure, when I have so many questions and just want a seasoned mom by my side I am so happy for the ladies in my family and in my life (they know who they are!) coming to my rescue.

When I just want to talk about something other than motherhood, when I want to gossip and girl chat and send funny memes and talk about just life in general I am so thankful for my girl friends!

It just really takes a village in this motherhood game.

You need your people. You need those breaks. You need that support. You need a glass of wine or two every once in a while. You need a date night without the kids. You need to take care of yourself.

You need it all to stay sane. To not lose yourself. To keep that little fire that makes you, you.

These littles of ours deserve our unconditional love 24/7. So that’s why I’m telling you, create your own little village to help you be the best you can possibly be! And to help them too.

Lean on your partner.

Reach out to family.

Message that old friend.

Join a mom group.

Do whatever it takes to be your best self.

Because motherhood sure does take a village.

Time flies when you’re raising children…

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 17 Comments

Sitting at dinner the other night, and we were talking about how fast this year has gone by.

It could be because of COVID, and most of our year was “wasted” by “quarantine” or simply because our littles aren’t so little anymore and they are growing SO fast!

It’s hard to sit back some time and REALLY enjoy these little moments.

I’m not going to lie, I had a mini breakdown last week. Full blown toddler tantrum…

I finally had some time off of work, to enjoy my 10 year wedding anniversary (holy shit, how has it been 10 years?!).

Day 1 of vacation and I start getting texts from work (I can’t get away from this place). I really wanted to get away for the big decade anniversary, but let’s face it, two kids and a global pandemic later, and no one has the time or money for that shit!

To top it all off, my kids we’re making me INSANE with their constant arguing and pestering about every… little… thing!!!

I finally broke down, and LITERALLY called my mama crying!

She talked me down, and we laughed and cried. Finally she asked me if I remembered going to my aunts house for the weekend every other month or so… because she too had the same moments I had. Every mom, or dad, NEEDS time to be an adult, and enjoy alone time wether it’s with a spouse or by yourself.

Then she said, get yourself a Starbucks (or whatever over priced coffee you like), get home, and get on with your day because you are going to remember the time spent with your family, more then you’ll remember this breakdown.

That women was so right! We had an AMAZING day exploring Frankenmuth, MI (see picture below)!

Then on our ACTUAL anniversary, we shipped the kids to my hubs mom’s house for the night, we ordered take out, and watched ALL the bad TV we could fit into the 16 hours we had ALONE!!!

It was HEAVENLY!

ANYWAYS, Back to my original thought about how FAST time is moving… I just wanted to share that story because it was raw and real, and it is not all sunshine and rainbows here!

I am in the trenches of motherhood. I am at war with myself because these are their most formative years, and I want to make sure they look back on their childhood and say, ‘wow, I was respectful and respected, but we also had a GREAT childhood.’

I’m definitely not one to give advice. You will not see me at any baby shower telling that new mama-to-be how she should only breastfeed, and use cloth diapers because it’s better for the environment, etc.

However, I’m passing along advice from my mama who raised 6 kids…

“Take time for yourself. It is one thing to be so in love with your child and do everything for the baby, but you have to not lose sight of yourself as a woman to balance out motherhood.”

Sounds simple right?!

But how many days have gone by since you’ve last taken care of YOU?!

Let’s just try harder. Every day is a new day for growth and opportunity.

You hear it all the time, “self care”, but do you really do it?!

WOW! How many cliches can I put into one blog?! 😂

But, thanks for hearing my heart! ❤️

Amanda (the boss bitch that keeps me motivated) and I, want to do a Q&A with all our readers! So if you have a question for us, leave it in the comments below!