Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Old Amy vs. New Amy
I can't remember the last time I wrote a post that included only words, no pictures. It used to happen all the time, when I used the blog to make note of stories about the kids that I wanted to remember. Now that I use Facebook for those memories, the blog content has, let's just say, suffered.
During the wee hours of this morning, though, I spent some time in thought about ways that I have changed over the past 3 months. And I wanted to share just a blip of that "story" here, so that someday my kids will be able to read about how much these months have meant to me.
My small readership (can I even use that word?) likely knows by now that I quit my job at the end of November. I won't use this venue to get into the reasons behind that decision, other than to say that I came to the realization that what I was getting out of my job, professionally, wasn't coming close to stacking up to what I was missing out on, personally. Over the past 7 years as a working mom, I had (almost) always found myself in a place of personal and professional happiness. My career was advancing, I loved the people with whom I worked, and I didn't feel as though I was short-changing my kids. So a working mom I was.
Over the past year, though, I saw both my job and my perspective change to the point where I, with Dale's full support, felt I needed to make a choice. We chose our family. And now, 3 months later, I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single second out of those approximately 8,535,600 where I second-guessed our decision.
But, back to this morning and the reason for this post in the first place. Macie had stayed home on Friday with a fever, and, since we kept it under control during the day with medicine, I was interested to see how the night would go.
I got the answer at 4:00a, when Macie tapped my shoulder and told me she was cold. While walking her back to her room and preparing to tuck her in with an extra blanket, I noticed she had the shivers; the kind you can't get to stop, no matter how many blankets you use.
Reflecting on this moment 30 minutes later, I realized that this point was a crystal clear example of the life change I have undergone. "Old Amy", as Dale jokingly refers to my working-at-UNC days, would have tucked Macie in snugly and sat on the side of her bed for a few minutes to calm her down and try to get her back to sleep. Then she would have, as quickly as possible, hustled back to bed for much-needed sleep after a long and likely-stressful work week. But "New Amy", the calmer and (I think as a result) kinder version, decided that what Macie really needed was some snuggles and hand-holding. So I tip-toed back to my room, grabbed my pillow, and told Macie that I was going to sleep the rest of the night with her. It was obviously not what she expected, and, as a result, she wasn't entirely convinced. She looked at me incredulously and, in her sweet, sick, shaky voice asked, "The WHOLE NIGHT, Mama?!?" With my affirmative response, it was as if all immediately became right in her world.
It took her about 10 minutes to calm down enough for the shivering to stop. I spent that time with my arm wrapped around her, holding her sweet little hands in mine, listening to her breathing become more regular, and knowing there was no place I would rather be.
"They" say that I will miss this, and that I'm going to want this time back. After these past 3 months, I'm actually starting to believe it.
During the wee hours of this morning, though, I spent some time in thought about ways that I have changed over the past 3 months. And I wanted to share just a blip of that "story" here, so that someday my kids will be able to read about how much these months have meant to me.
My small readership (can I even use that word?) likely knows by now that I quit my job at the end of November. I won't use this venue to get into the reasons behind that decision, other than to say that I came to the realization that what I was getting out of my job, professionally, wasn't coming close to stacking up to what I was missing out on, personally. Over the past 7 years as a working mom, I had (almost) always found myself in a place of personal and professional happiness. My career was advancing, I loved the people with whom I worked, and I didn't feel as though I was short-changing my kids. So a working mom I was.
Over the past year, though, I saw both my job and my perspective change to the point where I, with Dale's full support, felt I needed to make a choice. We chose our family. And now, 3 months later, I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single second out of those approximately 8,535,600 where I second-guessed our decision.
But, back to this morning and the reason for this post in the first place. Macie had stayed home on Friday with a fever, and, since we kept it under control during the day with medicine, I was interested to see how the night would go.
I got the answer at 4:00a, when Macie tapped my shoulder and told me she was cold. While walking her back to her room and preparing to tuck her in with an extra blanket, I noticed she had the shivers; the kind you can't get to stop, no matter how many blankets you use.
Reflecting on this moment 30 minutes later, I realized that this point was a crystal clear example of the life change I have undergone. "Old Amy", as Dale jokingly refers to my working-at-UNC days, would have tucked Macie in snugly and sat on the side of her bed for a few minutes to calm her down and try to get her back to sleep. Then she would have, as quickly as possible, hustled back to bed for much-needed sleep after a long and likely-stressful work week. But "New Amy", the calmer and (I think as a result) kinder version, decided that what Macie really needed was some snuggles and hand-holding. So I tip-toed back to my room, grabbed my pillow, and told Macie that I was going to sleep the rest of the night with her. It was obviously not what she expected, and, as a result, she wasn't entirely convinced. She looked at me incredulously and, in her sweet, sick, shaky voice asked, "The WHOLE NIGHT, Mama?!?" With my affirmative response, it was as if all immediately became right in her world.
It took her about 10 minutes to calm down enough for the shivering to stop. I spent that time with my arm wrapped around her, holding her sweet little hands in mine, listening to her breathing become more regular, and knowing there was no place I would rather be.
"They" say that I will miss this, and that I'm going to want this time back. After these past 3 months, I'm actually starting to believe it.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Facebook: February, 2013
February 3 at 9:38a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Reconnecting with the singing sock monkeys, who had avoided play for a while by escaping to the mantel.
February 6 at 12:16p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Bring on the princesses!!
February 7 at 12:26p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Em Eye See, Kay Ee Why, Em Oh You Ess Eeeeeee!!
February 7 at 7:53p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Chip 'n Dale
February 8 at 1:13p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Dumbo the Flying Elephant. About the only ride my stomach can handle.
February 9 at 1:44p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Ahhhh, the rare line in which you are permitted to keep the stroller. Macie says, "Thank you, Tinker Bell's Magical Nook!"
February 9 at 3:14p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
We
just voluntarily switched from second in line for ice cream to sixth in
a different line, solely because the second lady makes bigger cones.
#priorities
February 13 at 7:26a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Ivie, after watching a commercial: "Mom, did you know that Clorox can keep a toilet clean for almost 100 years?!?"
February 13 at 9:41p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Finally
editing pictures from over Christmas. This is one of my new favorites.
Bryce and Papa, walking down the sidewalk in Mt. Sterling.
February 14 at 12:27p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
I remember when a 3-mile jog used to be easy, Rachel, Angela, and Stacy! #notbackthereyet #maybesomeday
February 15 at 4:04p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Pulled out my old VHS movies to transfer to my computer. Who remembers Iron Eagle?!? LOVE that movie!
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Next on the old movie list? RAD. Who wants to go for a bike ride?!?
February 16 at 11:22a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Ivie (while previewing our new burned DVD of RAD): "Mommy, what is that movie about?" Me: "It's about a boy that races on his bike." Ivie: "Did he take medicine to make him faster like that other guy did?!?"
February 17 at 5:09p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Had forgotten about this picture in the Disney craziness. Great fun with old friends!
February 18 at 8:26a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
How Bryce wears sunglasses
February 18 at 9:52a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
There is just something special about starting a day with a FaceTime session with your mom and dad... #ilovetechnology
February 18 at 5:39p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Tonight, Bryce decided that jello and rolls are actually yummy to his tummy. Now if we could only convince him to eat meat...
February 18 at 8:59p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Ahhhh, another step in purging complete!
February 20 at 5:35p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Looks like a straight-to-the-bathtub-after-dinner kinda night...
February 23 at 10:54a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Ivie, while learning to fold laundry this morning: "Mommy, Macie wears a 5T?!?! Wow. She's really growin' up."
February 24 at 12:37p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Macie, frustrated about having to eat her apples at lunch: "But, Mommy, I don't LIKE crunchy food. (pause) Except Cheetos."
February 25 at 11:09a
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
At Ivie's Parent/Teacher Conference this morning, her teacher told me that Ivie has a tendency to want to manage situations during play. Wonder who's to blame for that trait?!?
February 26 at 1:24p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Today is garage-cleaning day. One would never guess that we love sports.
February 27 at 2:27p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
Background: Our typical afternoon snack pattern is to have something healthy first (like a clementine), followed by something less healthy (like a 100-Cal pack). Today, Macie says: "Mommy, can I just have chocolate raisins? They are healthy and unhealthy at the same time. Then I don't have to have 2 different things!!"
February 28 at 12:02p
Amy Schaeperkoetter Herman
While at the mall yesterday, I asked the girls where we got most of their clothes. Ivie said, "Old Navy and Target." Macie said, "From Ivie."
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