The Hodgepodge Hodges: September 2013

Notice the title says 'stay-at-home parents' and not 'stay-at-home moms'...this is very important in our household since Greg is a DAD that stays at home w/ the kiddos.

I cannot imagine what it's like to be a man that stays home with the kids versus being the working parent. When we are around new people and they ask what Greg does - he gets one of two responses: 1. awesome, how did you pull that one off?! or 2. oh...interesting. Typically after that response, the person asking slowly turns and awkwardly walks away. Greg has learned to deal with this over the years. I'm so thankful I have an amazing husband who doesn't let the little things (or little people) get to him.

Also, since the stay-at-home parent is usually the mom, it's hard for him to make friends at Carson's events. Do they look at him as the creepy dad/husband that's overly friendly? Do they think he's hitting on them? Or should he just keep to himself and not talk to or get to know the moms? See the predicament he's in??!! So, to all of you stay-at-home moms, please talk to the stay-at-home dads and find a way to bring them in. :)

Since I've been on maternity leave with Hannah for the past couple of months, I've gotten a taste of what it's like to be a stay-at-home parent. I didn't really get a feel for it when I was on maternity leave w/ Carson...not sure why. Maybe it's because it was just one baby for a couple of months and those first few months the baby doesn't do much but eat and sleep.

I've always respected the parent that stays home w/ the kids but really had no idea what their days are like. With a 3 yr old that's starting preschool and who wants to constantly be on the go (and I mean constantly) and a new baby that has a strict schedule, I got a taste of it, to say the least. And just let me say.....standing ovation to you folks that stay home w/ your children. This is not an easy gig at all. I won't lie, I've gotten to watch some of my favorite tv shows I don't usually get to watch, like Ellen and The Today Show (love me some Hoda and Kathy Lee (if I could just have their job)), but there is a lot more that goes into it. Here are just a few of my observations:

- There are strict schedules to stick to. For example, Hannah must eat and nap at certain times. Sound easy, right? Well, sometimes she fights the bottle - then what? Just don't feed her? Move onto the next chore? Nope, she has to eat so you have to find a way to make sure she eats. Compared to an office environment, if you are working on a task that is boring or difficult you can just drop it and move onto something else for awhile. Again, not possible with a baby that needs to eat and sleep...unless you want child protective services to pay you a visit. :)

- Have you ever tried reasoning w/ a 3 yr old?? Well, it's like trying to reason with a 3 yr old...you will get nowhere! I absolutely love Carson's energy and curiosity, but after a few hours of him running through the house screaming (just being a typical boy), asking you 500 times if he can go outside (but he can't because it's 105 degrees at the moment), trying to explain to him why he can't eat 5lbs of Goldfish or have 6 suckers, or endless pieces of candy, it can take a toll on you. And yet again, you can't just set Carson to the side while you work on a different task. But man, that sure would be nice from time to time. :)

- Then there's the running from here to there and everywhere in between. We haven't even hit the sports world yet so I cannot imagine what that's going to be like trying to make it to this practice for this kid and that practice for that kid. With Carson starting preschool this month, we've been tied to a set schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have to leave the house by 8:40am and he must be picked up by 2pm, no later. But, that means we have to get him ready in the morning which involves me saying "put on your shoes, let's go brush your teeth (and your hair), eat your breakfast" about 25 times. And, Hannah needs her bottle and inevitably she will poop right after you put her in her car seat (fully buckled of course). And remember, when you get to the school, you can't just leave sweet Miss Hannah is the car....you have to get out the stroller, put her and the car seat in the stroller, go around to the other side of the car, unbuckle Carson, wait 5 years for him to get his back pack and lunch box and get out by himself because he can do it and does not need our help (God bless his independence). All the while, you are sweating your tail off in the Texas heat. I won't go on....I think we all get it. :) And again, we only have 2 kids...I see the moms with 3, 4, 5 kiddos....hats off to you all!

Now for a little confession that I feel I need to get off my chest. I have always, and will probably always have that little piece of me that is insanely jealous of the stay-at-home mom that's in her work out clothes in the middle of the day. My initial thought, every single time..."well, must be nice". It must be nice to be able to work out every day (insert snooty face and eye roll). But then I stop and say to myself, wait, I get to work out everyday too...my workout just happens to be at 5am. So, maybe I'm just jealous that they get to work out when the sun is actually up! To be honest, I think I'm just jealous of any woman that is in better shape than me (which is most these days) so I feel the need to stick my nose up at them. But, I'm working hard to be 'that' woman that other women stick they nose up to! So mature, I know! ;)

So, I guess to summarize this incredibly long rambling.....God bless you stay-at-home parents! And, thank you for what you do! We all work our tails off everyday to contribute to our families. There are many things you cannot quantify or put a dollar amount on and yes, one person brings home a paycheck but the other person sure does a heck of a lot too...unfortunately, they don't get a paycheck at the end of the week even though they are most deserving of one!

I cannot believe it but our baby boy started preschool last week....and he loves it! He is going to Sunshine Kids (at our church) two days a week. And, he's in the Lions class....roar!

We talked quite a bit about going to school this summer and how it's important to listen to our teachers, to share, be nice, etc. So, on his first day, he woke up super excited and ready to go. In fact, he wore his backpack while eating breakfast! haha

Not one tear was shed that morning at drop off, in fact I had to beg for a kiss before he shot off into his classroom to start playing. He sure loves Ms. Kellee and Ms. Susan - he talks about them all the time!

Here are a few pics from his first day. We sure are proud of our little man!!

On our way to school - look at that BIG grin!