Week 1

Being a stay-at-home-mom, or SAHM, is a lot of things, but most of all, rewarding.  Bunny is currently napping, MM is playing our favorite video game, and I'm finally enjoying my "morning" cup of coffee while relaxing on the sofa.  It's not glamorous, it's not "exciting" by society's standards, and for some it may be downright boring, but it's our life and we love it.

I've learned quite a bit the first week, most of which I'm sure other SAHMs can already vouch for, but I'll quickly run down what I know after Week 1.

1. It's not going to be like you thought it was.  (Well, duh, when is life ever the way we imagined it?  At least I was prepared for it this time.)
2. You will have NO TIME!  I know things will get better as Bunny and I develop a schedule, but for now I am getting 1/8 - 1/4 of the things done I "plan" to each day.  Par for the course, Mama.
3. Nap time doesn't miraculously improve just because you will it to.  Another duh moment, but I was honestly hoping we'd have made better progress after a week.
4. There is no task more important than cuddles.  And there is no guilt involved in stopping what I'm doing for cuddles, either.
5. Finally being in the midst of our new financial situation is HARD, but there is peace in knowing that God will provide.
6. A walk a day keeps the Mommy blues away.  It's refreshing.  It's "me" time.  It's good for me!
7. Catching up on laundry is the kobayashi maru of the SAHM's life. That and keeping the dishes done.  Where do they all come from for Pete's sake?!?!  (Okay, to be honest, it's the plight of all parents' lives, but it seems more pronounced now that I stare at it all day rather than being able to ignore the problem for 8 hours at work). 
8. That moment of silence right after the nap begins is truly golden.  And then it's shattered by ear-piercing shrieks because the binky slipped from the lips before Bunny was completely out.  Oy-vey. 
9. That whole, "I'm going to have all the chores for the day done by the time MM walks in the door from work every day of the week" thing?  A pipe dream, sister.  Not going to happen.  Probably ever.
10. It will all be worth it.  End of story.

But, what I promise is:

1. I will not get caught up in the uncrossed to-dos.  They can be crossed off another day.
2. I will not be a slave to dust bunnies, dirty dishes, or dirty clothes.  
3. I will take care of myself.  For me.  For Bunny.  For MM.
4. I will stop to smell the roses, namely those chubby, rosy-red cheeks.
5. Kisses will flow freely and relentlessly.  I hope you like kisses, kid.
6. MM and Bunny are #2.  God is #1.  That's the best thing I can do for both of them.  Put God first and He will take care of the rest.
7. At least once a week, I will cuddle up in bed with you and we will nap to our heart's content.  It's good for our souls.  And because Mamas get tired, too.
8. I will listen.  
9. We will explore life.  We will not be prisoners in our home.  We will go on great adventures, even if it's just a picnic in the front yard.  Explorers are we!
10. God and love will always come first.  Always.  And forever.  From God and love will come every skill you need to survive in life.  Including discipline.  There's room for that, too, as long as we do it lovingly.

Long story short; it's all a dream come true.  And we wouldn't have it any other way.  Look at this face.  How could I NOT spend 24 hours a day with her?!

And in the interest of full disclosure, I will let you know that it is currently 12:30 p.m. and we are all still in our pj's.  Breakfast has not been cleaned up and the second I hit "publish", I will make Bunny's lunch, but I have no clue what that lunch is going to be.  Ahhhhhhhhh, this life.  So divine!