I haven't yet written a complete "About Me" post yet, and I figured it's about time. I plan to use this for a new page of the blog using the new "Pages" feature of blogger.
Who Am I?
Before I had a baby (daughter's alias: Sweet Pea), before I became a teacher, before I got married (husband's alias: Average), before I spent six months in Spain, before I had one job for more than a few months, I was the kind of person who had an easy time describing herself. I won more local scholarships (in my tiny Oregon town) than anyone else the year that I graduated from high school, partly because I could clearly and distinctly explain who I was and where I was going. I participated in about as many extracurricular activities as a person can, and I was thrilled to go to college. I felt like I had limitless possibilities, and in a way, I did. It doesn't really feel that way anymore. I have been struggling to write this post for weeks, because even though there are plenty of labels I can apply to myself (mom, wife, teacher, doula), I somehow am finding it harder to define who I am. I have a husband, a mortgage, a dog, a baby, and not much free time. However, I am happy to have this blog in my life because I am finding it helps me to redefine what my priorities are and who I want to be in this new role of parenthood. I have loved writing about my choices and experiences here, and hope that I am able to inform and entertain you in the process. I started blogging because I felt I needed an outlet to share my personal thoughts and I wanted to keep my mind sharp with writing. Being a stay-at-home-mom has many challenges, one of which is the feeling of isolation during those days at home, especially in the beginning when it can be hard to get out with the baby. I felt like I was learning so much from books, the internet, and my experiences, and making so many important choices and changes in my life and I wanted to share it with someone - or everyone! So, I followed the lead of so many other "mommy-bloggers" out there and started writing for the internet. This blog has brought me new friends, new ideas, and a sense of satisfaction when I publish each post. The main topics I have covered include cloth diapers, food and gardening, home improvement and sewing, and our family's attempts at living a more green and healthy lifestyle with a new baby. I plan to continue to write on these topics, but expect that my blog will change some as my baby ages, as my work situation evolves, and as we add to our family.
My work history:
I have worked as a middle school and high school teacher, a substitute teacher, a receptionist, litter patrol crew member, assistant publisher for an online magazine, a restaurant hostess/waitress, a forest protection officer, and a wild-land firefighter. Being a mother is the hardest job I've had. I am about to start a long-term substitute teaching job, and expect that perhaps being a working mother will become the hardest thing I've done. I'll let you know.
The random facts:
My favorite color is blue, I love dessert, I like a clean house but I don't like to clean, I enjoy movies and TV more than I think I should, and I (like many many people) have always wanted to write a book. I married my best friend and the love of my life five years ago. He walked down the aisle to the throne room theme from Star Wars, and we spent our honeymoon in Belize. I am tall - 5'10". I can speak, understand, read, and write Spanish. I trained as a doula four years ago and have attended 8 births in that role. I love being a mother, but have struggled with many aspects of it: breastfeeding was a huge challenge for us, bedtime is often difficult, my baby is fickle about her tastes and will eat something one day and refuse it the next, and we have had to make lifestyle changes that I was probably in a little bit of denial about before our baby was born. However, Sweet Pea is incredibly easy to love and brings an abundance of joy and laughter to our lives. She has helped me to feel motivated to be more healthy in many aspects of my life, and I feel like I am constantly learning each day that I spend with her. So the hardest job is also the best job I've had.
Thanks for reading.
Before I had a baby (daughter's alias: Sweet Pea), before I became a teacher, before I got married (husband's alias: Average), before I spent six months in Spain, before I had one job for more than a few months, I was the kind of person who had an easy time describing herself. I won more local scholarships (in my tiny Oregon town) than anyone else the year that I graduated from high school, partly because I could clearly and distinctly explain who I was and where I was going. I participated in about as many extracurricular activities as a person can, and I was thrilled to go to college. I felt like I had limitless possibilities, and in a way, I did. It doesn't really feel that way anymore. I have been struggling to write this post for weeks, because even though there are plenty of labels I can apply to myself (mom, wife, teacher, doula), I somehow am finding it harder to define who I am. I have a husband, a mortgage, a dog, a baby, and not much free time. However, I am happy to have this blog in my life because I am finding it helps me to redefine what my priorities are and who I want to be in this new role of parenthood. I have loved writing about my choices and experiences here, and hope that I am able to inform and entertain you in the process. I started blogging because I felt I needed an outlet to share my personal thoughts and I wanted to keep my mind sharp with writing. Being a stay-at-home-mom has many challenges, one of which is the feeling of isolation during those days at home, especially in the beginning when it can be hard to get out with the baby. I felt like I was learning so much from books, the internet, and my experiences, and making so many important choices and changes in my life and I wanted to share it with someone - or everyone! So, I followed the lead of so many other "mommy-bloggers" out there and started writing for the internet. This blog has brought me new friends, new ideas, and a sense of satisfaction when I publish each post. The main topics I have covered include cloth diapers, food and gardening, home improvement and sewing, and our family's attempts at living a more green and healthy lifestyle with a new baby. I plan to continue to write on these topics, but expect that my blog will change some as my baby ages, as my work situation evolves, and as we add to our family.
My work history:
I have worked as a middle school and high school teacher, a substitute teacher, a receptionist, litter patrol crew member, assistant publisher for an online magazine, a restaurant hostess/waitress, a forest protection officer, and a wild-land firefighter. Being a mother is the hardest job I've had. I am about to start a long-term substitute teaching job, and expect that perhaps being a working mother will become the hardest thing I've done. I'll let you know.
The random facts:
My favorite color is blue, I love dessert, I like a clean house but I don't like to clean, I enjoy movies and TV more than I think I should, and I (like many many people) have always wanted to write a book. I married my best friend and the love of my life five years ago. He walked down the aisle to the throne room theme from Star Wars, and we spent our honeymoon in Belize. I am tall - 5'10". I can speak, understand, read, and write Spanish. I trained as a doula four years ago and have attended 8 births in that role. I love being a mother, but have struggled with many aspects of it: breastfeeding was a huge challenge for us, bedtime is often difficult, my baby is fickle about her tastes and will eat something one day and refuse it the next, and we have had to make lifestyle changes that I was probably in a little bit of denial about before our baby was born. However, Sweet Pea is incredibly easy to love and brings an abundance of joy and laughter to our lives. She has helped me to feel motivated to be more healthy in many aspects of my life, and I feel like I am constantly learning each day that I spend with her. So the hardest job is also the best job I've had.
Thanks for reading.
Hello dear :) I've really enjoyed following your blog, even though I have no baby to diaper, and LN13 and I are just beginning to to think about how we can live a more green lifestyle. I like reading that it helps me know the grown up you. It's funny, in my head you're still my elementary school best friend with big glasses like mine, and I'm heading over to your house to make tie die shirts and read together :) I love that we've reconnected and that LN13 and Average get along well. I can't wait to keep reading about your adventures with Sweet Pea and watch her grow. She's a beautiful girl :) Love you!
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