Which brings me to a topic that recently has been talked about more & more to me .. Stay at home Mom's .. I constantly get asked, "Why aren't you at home with your son" .. Is that even an option in today's economy? When I tell people, financially, I cannot afford to stay at home, immediately I'm being told - "sell your car", "ride the bus", "you'll save on gas & daycare", & the most dreaded of all "live off of the government" .. Now don't get me wrong, girlfriend, if you can afford to stay home, my hat is off to you! Unfortunately, I can't .. & sometimes, even if I could, I just don't think I would .. I was on maternity leave for 12 weeks .. Yes, I bonded with my son. Yes, I was sad to go back to work. But then again, I was excited for adult interaction, conversation & getting back into the swing of things .. Around my town, there are hardly NO women I know or am friends with who are stay at home Mom's. Let alone, have the means to go on play dates, shopping trips, lunch dates, out of town excursions .. Time's are tough .. No, my boyfriend does not make 6 figures .. He works 2 jobs .. I work one .. Between the both of us, we still live paycheck to paycheck .. I pride myself in going to work, paying my bills and getting NO assistance what so ever .. My life may not be easy .. It surely isn't glamorous & NO, I can't afford to get a new outfit or piece of clothing every month like some .. But I have 2 nice cars, I have a nice house, my son goes to a GREAT daycare & has shown so much advancement since being there (yes, he was walking at 11 months!), I have a wardrobe full of clothes (so what if they're outdated), my boyfriend has great clothes, we have nice things, we have a pantry & fridge full of food, our electric is always on & we have what we NEED .. Of course, I'd love to be able to have what I want, and with time, that will come. I struggle with saving money. I'm terrible at it. When one door closes for me, another one opens, and any money that has been saved, is used for things needed. Like a new headlight or tires, car maintenance, doctor bills, dentist bills, things I can't control. Everyday life things. I live on a budget. Do you know how bad I'd love to be able to leave work some nights and stop to get a pedicure? Or buy a new outfit? Or shoes? Or have name brand makeup? I never take small things for granted. One day I'll get there. One day I'll be comfortable. But for the time being, I'm alive. I'm healthy. I have an amazing son who is the light of life. He is my best creation. Without him, I'd be so lost. & his father. My love. My soul mate. The reason my life is complete. I know I don't brag or say much about him, but Thanks Baby Daddy. You are truly my best discovery <3
Hmm, what else? October 1st started a new event in my life - NO MORE FAST FOOD! Not only for money reasons, but for health reasons as well. I know my body. I know that when it comes to Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas - I gain weight. I cannot afford to gain 1 extra pound. So I'm doing my best at curbing my cravings, my salty tooth & my sweet tooth!
Speaking of Halloween - this year, I don't believe we will be participating in Trick-or-Treat with our little man. My Mom lives in Funkstown & they have an awesome Halloween parade and costume contest, so we will attending that. Since recently, we've found out our baby boy has a peanut allergy. To say I'm worried, is an understatement. I'm terrified of Halloween and candy. I don't really let him have candy to begin with, but for this occasion, I would've normally allowed it. I'm too scared of the candy's that might have, do have it, if it touched something that had peanuts in it. Bryce's allergy is so severe that something as simple as me eating a reese cup, then kissing him, could potentially be deadly. We have 2 epipens on hand at all times just in case. This is something that is so scary to me as a mother. One little peanut could destroy my entire world! I have turned into quite the crazy Mommy & have looked at EVERYTHING and EVERY label in my pantry to be sure, there is no peanuts found anywhere ..
One last thing - the absolute amazing Veronika at Veronika's Kandy Koated Dreams is currently hosting an AWESOME giveaway. Check out her blog and get your entries in .. Have I told you how amazing she is? You'll agree once you take a peek :) Look at all of this GORGEOUS stuff!
Stay beautiful ladies! xoxo <3 P.S. - Is anyone else completely in love with the fact it's October & Fall?? I know I am! Boots, scarves, jeans, pumpkin everything, Mums, football, LONG sleeves, leaves! ahh, makes my heart happy! :)
