It seems so appropriate that the topic most on my mind after neglecting this blog for the past week because I was too busy with work, home, and a sick kid is finding time for myself. Because naturally, just as I haven't posted in the last week, I haven't taken time for myself.
Finding time for myself has always been a challenge. I could certainly blame it on marriage and motherhood (as those have certainly made it harder), but I think this is always something I've struggled with, and I have a feeling it's common for many women out there. We tend to always put others first and give, give, give until we have quite little of ourselves left over at the end of the day.
It wasn't until very recently that I truly realized how important this is. If I don't take care of me, I'm not a very good mom ... or wife for that matter. And I have to be the one to do for me. If I don't do it, no one will.
So, how? It always seemed to me that doing things for me meant I was giving up time with my husband and son. How can I take more time away from them when I'm already away so much for work? (Enter the working mom guilt.)
Well, we can all start in little ways. Maybe it's a bath. Maybe time alone to read a book. Maybe it's as simple as a dinner out with friends.
I started over a year ago (maybe close to two years now) to treat myself to monthly massages. It was one of the best things I ever did. I always schedule them during Dylan's naptime on a Saturday, so my husband gets his alone time and I'm not missing out on anything with Dylan. And what do they get in return? A very relaxed, happy wife/mom who is rejuvenated and ready to tackle the weekend activities. My husband swears it's some of the best money we spend every month. :)
And now I have to thank my amazing sister-in-law for introducing me to hot yoga. I have come up with every excuse in the book for why I'm too busy to exercise, but I couldn't pass up a chance to spend a little time with my sister-in-law (you make it social, and I can't resist!). So, she introduced me to a new place that has classes starting after Dylan goes to bed, and now I'm hooked. I missed this past weekend because Dylan was sick, and much to my surprise, I was really bummed! I WANTED to go! (And I never want to work out!) But I started to realize how great I felt and what a great mood I was in when I got home. That little time away for me is not only giving me some time away, but it's actually good for my health (not to mention how much better I'm fitting in my jeans!).
What do you do to find time for you? How do you rejuvenate yourself after giving all day to work/family? I'd love to hear your ideas ...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
H1N1: To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate? That's the Debate ...
Like many of you, I'm sure, you've heard so much about H1N1 ("swine flu"). Is the vaccine safe? Do any risks associated with the vaccine outweigh the potential benefit?
Well, as we hear about more people in the U.S. being affected by the virus (many of whom are recovering just fine), I have been thinking more and more about whether to vaccinate my son. And I probably would chalk some of my concern up to media hype if it wasn't for the fact that I watched the impact of H1N1 hit close to home.
My boss came down with H1N1 towards the end of August (she works out of our Portland office, so I wasn't exposed), and the poor dear suffered for nearly two months from complications of the flu. From running a fever for weeks on end to contracting pneumonia and suffering a detatched lung, it seemed nothing short of a nightmare for her.
And all I could wonder the whole time was what I would do if it were my child suffering those symptoms. Granted, not everyone will have those complications. As the news and various reputable sites have shared, many have contracted H1N1 and recovered fine. But as a parent, am I willing to take that risk if I can have my child vaccinated? What if my son is that one who develops complications? These are all of the things that have been running through my head.
But I also know there are a lot of parents out there opposed to vaccinating, feeling that the vaccines themselves pose more harm than good.
To be honest, I think everyone has a right to their opinion. Parenthood is about doing the best you can and going with your gut. For me, I did my research and I have always vaccinated my child.
So, for those of you out there debating whether or not to vaccinate once it becomes available, here are a few great news articles and other blog posts that might be helpful as you make your decision:
Innoculation Misinformation: This is a very thorough Newsweek article that debunks the myths associated with the H1N1 vaccine.
H1N1 Vaccine: Myths, Misinformation vs. Science, Reality: An article from the Seattle Times, it explains how the vaccine was created and talks about the safety of it.
2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Virus: Link to the FDA site with links to various resources and research regarding the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.
Are you planning to vaccinate? Are you not planning to vaccinate? Please post a comment and let me know your thoughts!
Well, as we hear about more people in the U.S. being affected by the virus (many of whom are recovering just fine), I have been thinking more and more about whether to vaccinate my son. And I probably would chalk some of my concern up to media hype if it wasn't for the fact that I watched the impact of H1N1 hit close to home.
My boss came down with H1N1 towards the end of August (she works out of our Portland office, so I wasn't exposed), and the poor dear suffered for nearly two months from complications of the flu. From running a fever for weeks on end to contracting pneumonia and suffering a detatched lung, it seemed nothing short of a nightmare for her.
And all I could wonder the whole time was what I would do if it were my child suffering those symptoms. Granted, not everyone will have those complications. As the news and various reputable sites have shared, many have contracted H1N1 and recovered fine. But as a parent, am I willing to take that risk if I can have my child vaccinated? What if my son is that one who develops complications? These are all of the things that have been running through my head.
But I also know there are a lot of parents out there opposed to vaccinating, feeling that the vaccines themselves pose more harm than good.
To be honest, I think everyone has a right to their opinion. Parenthood is about doing the best you can and going with your gut. For me, I did my research and I have always vaccinated my child.
So, for those of you out there debating whether or not to vaccinate once it becomes available, here are a few great news articles and other blog posts that might be helpful as you make your decision:
Innoculation Misinformation: This is a very thorough Newsweek article that debunks the myths associated with the H1N1 vaccine.
H1N1 Vaccine: Myths, Misinformation vs. Science, Reality: An article from the Seattle Times, it explains how the vaccine was created and talks about the safety of it.
2009 H1N1 Swine Flu Virus: Link to the FDA site with links to various resources and research regarding the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.
Are you planning to vaccinate? Are you not planning to vaccinate? Please post a comment and let me know your thoughts!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
7 Reasons Why Windows 7 ROCKS!
So, I know you all know that I work for Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, and we are handling all of the PR for Windows 7. So, in the spirit of transparency, I'm not only posting this blog because I could win a super cool Windows 7 netbook (YAY), but I'm posting because I actually genuinely really like the product and can't wait to get my hot little hands on it.
Why Windows 7, you ask? Well, as a mom, life is pretty darn busy. We all search for products that make it easier, faster, and let's face it, a bit more fun to get things done. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to buy anything and everything to shave a little time off my day so I can spend more time hanging out with my son.
So, here are the top 7 reasons why I can't wait to get my hands on Windows 7 to start saving myself some time and make it a bit easier to get things done:
1. Faster on, faster off. I don't know about you, but I hate wasting time (or wondering how much electricity is being wasted) while I wait for my machine to turn on or finally figure out how to turn off. Windows 7 features faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management. Bring it on!
2. Better Protection. I pay bills online, shop on eBay, and want to feel comfortable saving personal information on my computer. It's MY computer, afterall. And not having to enter my credit card information for the umpteenth time is a HUGE timesaver. So, security is super important to make me feel good about my online transactions. Windows 7 makes safeguarding the data on a PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to help protect users against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.
3. Internet TV. New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on the PC. Maybe not a timesaver, but this is just cool!
4. Photos and videos. What am I going to do with all of those cute little one- to two-minute videos of Dylan I have stored on my computer? To be honest, I haven't gotten around to doing anything with them, let alone figured out how to share them with all of you! Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker (available via download) offer great, free options to edit photos and videos and easily share them with loved ones. Can't wait to play around with those features and figure out how I can inundate you with even more Dylan cuteness. :)
5. Shake. Not only does this feature save time, it's just plain FUN. You can click on a window pane and shake the mouse to minimize all other open windows, then shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes. You have to see it done. It's just FUN ... and think of how cool the kids will think it is.
6. Faster Internet and Search. Internet Explorer 8 is Microsoft’s fastest, easiest and safest browser, and it offers smart new features such as Instant Search, Accelerators and Web Slices to help users get more out of the Web. When combined with Bing (yes! you should all be using Bing!), the Internet and ability to search just gets better and faster. Think about when you're shopping for the best sale on Gymboree clothes (yes, Michelle, I mean you!) or God forbid, something for your self! Better and faster is exactly what you need.
7. Parental Controls. Windows 7 features parental controls which can help you to limit kids' computer time and determine what sites your kids can visit or games they can play. It makes you feel better about the content your kids are viewing. While not all of us have kids playing on the computer yet, it's going to happen far sooner than we think!
Want more info or ready to check out some of the cool new Windows 7 PCs? Check out the cool new PC Scout: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx
Why Windows 7, you ask? Well, as a mom, life is pretty darn busy. We all search for products that make it easier, faster, and let's face it, a bit more fun to get things done. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to buy anything and everything to shave a little time off my day so I can spend more time hanging out with my son.
So, here are the top 7 reasons why I can't wait to get my hands on Windows 7 to start saving myself some time and make it a bit easier to get things done:
1. Faster on, faster off. I don't know about you, but I hate wasting time (or wondering how much electricity is being wasted) while I wait for my machine to turn on or finally figure out how to turn off. Windows 7 features faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management. Bring it on!
2. Better Protection. I pay bills online, shop on eBay, and want to feel comfortable saving personal information on my computer. It's MY computer, afterall. And not having to enter my credit card information for the umpteenth time is a HUGE timesaver. So, security is super important to make me feel good about my online transactions. Windows 7 makes safeguarding the data on a PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to help protect users against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.
3. Internet TV. New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on the PC. Maybe not a timesaver, but this is just cool!
4. Photos and videos. What am I going to do with all of those cute little one- to two-minute videos of Dylan I have stored on my computer? To be honest, I haven't gotten around to doing anything with them, let alone figured out how to share them with all of you! Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker (available via download) offer great, free options to edit photos and videos and easily share them with loved ones. Can't wait to play around with those features and figure out how I can inundate you with even more Dylan cuteness. :)
5. Shake. Not only does this feature save time, it's just plain FUN. You can click on a window pane and shake the mouse to minimize all other open windows, then shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes. You have to see it done. It's just FUN ... and think of how cool the kids will think it is.
6. Faster Internet and Search. Internet Explorer 8 is Microsoft’s fastest, easiest and safest browser, and it offers smart new features such as Instant Search, Accelerators and Web Slices to help users get more out of the Web. When combined with Bing (yes! you should all be using Bing!), the Internet and ability to search just gets better and faster. Think about when you're shopping for the best sale on Gymboree clothes (yes, Michelle, I mean you!) or God forbid, something for your self! Better and faster is exactly what you need.
7. Parental Controls. Windows 7 features parental controls which can help you to limit kids' computer time and determine what sites your kids can visit or games they can play. It makes you feel better about the content your kids are viewing. While not all of us have kids playing on the computer yet, it's going to happen far sooner than we think!
Want more info or ready to check out some of the cool new Windows 7 PCs? Check out the cool new PC Scout: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx
Monday, October 19, 2009
Being mom and the breadwinner
Just had to share a very interesting article on MSNBC today talking about how the role of women in the workforce is really changing and an increasing number of women are the breadwinner in the family.
A variety of women are quoted throughout the article, with two really sharing how I have felt. I had no problem being the breadwinner before I became a mom. It was actually something I was rather proud of, and while Andrew waited for his work visa, it was just the way it was. But since becoming a mom, it's a lot more difficult. I feel more torn between work and home in a way I never had been in the past. Andrew never minded that I had to work late. Now there's an intense guilt when I don't make it home in time to tuck Dylan into bed. Granted, those nights are luckily few and far between, as I can work at home after he goes to bed most of the time. But it's hard when Dad gets the joy of picking him up at daycare, although I relish the excited "Mama!" that is yelled as I enter the door.
But there's more pressure too. One woman in the article said something I often find myself thinking: how do you balance the pressure of being the mom, making the money, and still trying to find time for you? It's not easy.
On the flip side, as I enjoy the quiet time in the car each morning and afternoon as I commute home, I'm thankful that Dylan is growing up with a strong female role model. I hope he grows up proud that his mom enjoys going to work. That he goes to college in part because he's proud of the businesswoman his mom became because of her education. That he grows up respecting a woman's mind and values her contributions to the home beyond cooking and cleaning. That he sees that he has a mom who loves being a mom, but also a contributor to society and a woman who is fulfilled by her career.
A variety of women are quoted throughout the article, with two really sharing how I have felt. I had no problem being the breadwinner before I became a mom. It was actually something I was rather proud of, and while Andrew waited for his work visa, it was just the way it was. But since becoming a mom, it's a lot more difficult. I feel more torn between work and home in a way I never had been in the past. Andrew never minded that I had to work late. Now there's an intense guilt when I don't make it home in time to tuck Dylan into bed. Granted, those nights are luckily few and far between, as I can work at home after he goes to bed most of the time. But it's hard when Dad gets the joy of picking him up at daycare, although I relish the excited "Mama!" that is yelled as I enter the door.
But there's more pressure too. One woman in the article said something I often find myself thinking: how do you balance the pressure of being the mom, making the money, and still trying to find time for you? It's not easy.
On the flip side, as I enjoy the quiet time in the car each morning and afternoon as I commute home, I'm thankful that Dylan is growing up with a strong female role model. I hope he grows up proud that his mom enjoys going to work. That he goes to college in part because he's proud of the businesswoman his mom became because of her education. That he grows up respecting a woman's mind and values her contributions to the home beyond cooking and cleaning. That he sees that he has a mom who loves being a mom, but also a contributor to society and a woman who is fulfilled by her career.
Everyone has an opinion
Since learning that I was going to be a mom almost three years ago, I've learned quickly that everyone has an opinion. It started quietly with suggestions for names, various baby products, and the debate over whether or not to have an epidural. To be honest, 99% of those opinions and recommendations were helpful, and they always came from a place of genuine concern and care.
While the intention likely hasn't changed, the opinions have changed from suggestions about the best products to use for my baby to how I should raise my child. Granted, I'm sure every mom goes through this. Mothers, mothers-in-law, family, friends, and even the woman behind you in line at the grocery store seem to have an opinion about what you do with your child. Now that I have a two year old those opinions seem to be far more vocal. Yes, I have that kid who screamed through the mall the other day, with people disapprovingly staring as I tried to get to my car as quickly as possible. I even had one little old lady yell, "Be quiet!" at Dylan as we neared the finish line and were about to enter the parking garage. What is it about today's society that makes people think it's OK to vocalize their opinion? Or worse, decide they get to participate in the disciplining of my child? I looked over at the little old lady with shock, thinking in my head: "Don't you think I'm trying my best?!"
My in-laws recently spent 2.5 weeks in our house (they're from England and we're working on their immigration paperwork so they can permanently move over here -- a topic for another post). Overall, my mother-in-law really did well keeping her mouth shut as Dylan had a few screaming tirades (often because his routine was interrupted, teeth were coming through, or he simply wasn't getting what he wanted). But, she chose a few moments to vocalize her distain for my child's behavior: "Where do you think he got that from? He had to have gotten it from someone!" Nice. Like I've been walking around slapping my son or teaching him to scream at the top of his lungs. Yup. You caught me. That's exactly what I've been doing.
Being a mom these days isn't easy. I work full time and am the breadwinner for my family. If I don't work, the mortgage doesn't get paid. And to be honest, I enjoy what I do. Am I perfect? Certainly not. Do I always react in the right way to Dylan and help him stop his temper tantrums? Clearly not. Looking back on the mall incident, I should have just gotten him out of his stroller and let him walk. Sure, the walk to the car would have tripled in time, but he probably would have stopped screaming.
You know, it's not the temper tantrums that are the hardest to handle. To be honest, they don't really bother me. It's how he's learning to express his emotions. As a mom, the hardest thing to handle is the opinions of others. Yes, I need to just stop caring what others think and just focus on being a mom, but that sounds so much easier to type than to do. :)
While the intention likely hasn't changed, the opinions have changed from suggestions about the best products to use for my baby to how I should raise my child. Granted, I'm sure every mom goes through this. Mothers, mothers-in-law, family, friends, and even the woman behind you in line at the grocery store seem to have an opinion about what you do with your child. Now that I have a two year old those opinions seem to be far more vocal. Yes, I have that kid who screamed through the mall the other day, with people disapprovingly staring as I tried to get to my car as quickly as possible. I even had one little old lady yell, "Be quiet!" at Dylan as we neared the finish line and were about to enter the parking garage. What is it about today's society that makes people think it's OK to vocalize their opinion? Or worse, decide they get to participate in the disciplining of my child? I looked over at the little old lady with shock, thinking in my head: "Don't you think I'm trying my best?!"
My in-laws recently spent 2.5 weeks in our house (they're from England and we're working on their immigration paperwork so they can permanently move over here -- a topic for another post). Overall, my mother-in-law really did well keeping her mouth shut as Dylan had a few screaming tirades (often because his routine was interrupted, teeth were coming through, or he simply wasn't getting what he wanted). But, she chose a few moments to vocalize her distain for my child's behavior: "Where do you think he got that from? He had to have gotten it from someone!" Nice. Like I've been walking around slapping my son or teaching him to scream at the top of his lungs. Yup. You caught me. That's exactly what I've been doing.
Being a mom these days isn't easy. I work full time and am the breadwinner for my family. If I don't work, the mortgage doesn't get paid. And to be honest, I enjoy what I do. Am I perfect? Certainly not. Do I always react in the right way to Dylan and help him stop his temper tantrums? Clearly not. Looking back on the mall incident, I should have just gotten him out of his stroller and let him walk. Sure, the walk to the car would have tripled in time, but he probably would have stopped screaming.
You know, it's not the temper tantrums that are the hardest to handle. To be honest, they don't really bother me. It's how he's learning to express his emotions. As a mom, the hardest thing to handle is the opinions of others. Yes, I need to just stop caring what others think and just focus on being a mom, but that sounds so much easier to type than to do. :)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Beginnings ...
Look out blogosphere! There's yet another mommy blogger on the loose. And like many of the other mommy bloggers out there I'm sure, I'm here to share my story -- the blessings of motherhood, the challenges of balancing work, marriage, and parenthood (and now blogging!), the ups and downs of family life (I'm sure I'm not the only one whose mother or mother-in-law has provided unsolicited parenting advice), and the journey toward finding and following my passions in life.
So, in the words on this blog, I'll share my experiences and hopefully make you laugh a little along the way.
So, in the words on this blog, I'll share my experiences and hopefully make you laugh a little along the way.
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