Pinspiring Me to Reflect: Baby's Birthday

I have a Pinterest board that I call "For the Spirit" which has some inspirational quotes, thoughts, and things to remember on days that I'm feeling a little less than. I pinned the following item which originated from Quick Quotes, on a day when my house was particularly messy, I had fed my husband and I a frozen pizza that night, and my baby just didn't want to be put down:

And this is so true. My baby turned ONE last week. Holey Sheet. Where has the time gone? How did he get so big so fast? Right before his birthday, I got all nostalgic and misty-eyed, thinking about when he was born, and then when he was a squirmy little thing that could hardly hold his head up, or stay awake for longer than 45 minutes at a time. Now he's this close to standing on his own, starting to say some words, able to point to his head and nose, and showing us that he's soooooooo big!

This inspirational note really helps put things in perspective for me. I'm a full-time working mom. Being away from the house at least 50 hours a week (one-hour commute each way) leaves little time in the morning and evening to keep a little one fed, entertained, clean and well rested AND keep a house tidy AND get a home-cooked, well-balanced meal on the table.

When I returned to work after my maternity leave, I really struggled and stressed over trying to do all these things, and do them well. I had to accept that this wouldn't be the case, at least not while this kiddo is little, and needing so much time and attention from me and my husband.

Because we are away from the home so much during the week, we make it a priority to play, snuggle, and play some more when we are home on week-nights with the kiddo. Everything else gets back-burnered until he is in bed. My husband and I don't eat dinner until kiddo is asleep, we don't turn on the TV, don't do any chores, pay any bills, none of that, in order to maximize our time with our little man.

I've been thinking of how this year has changed me, how my priorities have shifted, how my pace has slowed down a bit, and how complete I finally feel with my life as it is, just like the rhyme we used to get embarrassed about whenever we had a crush on someone:

Full Disclosure: There is room for a second birthstone ring. Just sayin'.

I realized that while the year had been totally magical, I had lost my creative self amongst dirty diapers, exhaustion, work, and hours of sweet snuggles. It was time to find that girl again. So far it is going pretty well. Definitely having this blog to hold me accountable for actually doing stuff has helped immensely, and again I really appreciate any readers and followers - you keep me motivated to do more stuff.

But as I get my crafting legs back, I need to keep this inspirational thought in my mind - most of my crafting takes place during naps on the weekends or after bedtime during the week (the photo below is of a birthday Onesie that I stenciled the night before his birthday party, at like midnight). There will be time for crafting and sewing...for my baby will grow up so fast and I want to be as present as possible so he will look back on today and see a mom who had time to play, snuggle, and play some more.

ONE-derful! Sooooooooo big!!