Phases, seasons and temporary positions

Dear Readers, This week's blog centers around the number "9." Evangeline turned nine months old this week, which means I have also been a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) for nine months. Well, perhaps a few months less if you exclude the traditional maternity leave period but I still count it and give myself credit. This is long enough to establish new routines that will often be broken. I've learned to not sweat the small stuff and it's mostly small stuff when you think about it. These little inconveniences with soon be forgotten. Either way, it's 3/4 of a year of milestones. And changes. There are days when Evie (let's call her by her nickname) develops a new mannerism or physical trait between breakfast and dinner. For instance, Nick came home from work and his daughter now has teeth! This happened recently. It's wild and amazing to watch at this age. And phases. There are so many. We try to find humor in the little quirks and phases. If you don't, some of them will drive you crazy. Maybe this added patience comes with being older first-time parents. Like when innocent things make Evangeline temporary upset (ex. a sneeze, cough, a new person that gets too close too quickly) and then a minute later she's forgotten about it and has moved on. What we've learned in just nine months is if you don't like a certain phase, don't stress and have faith that it will pass. Just try to make it through the day with your sanity and some kind of inner peace. I've realized that I will not be at home forever with her, though while you're living it every day it's hard to keep perspective. This season of my life as a SAHM who also works part-time from home is just a temporary position. Evie will someday be whisked away in a school bus to attend pre-school and likely day programs and camps before that. I try to expose her to as much learning, socialization and nature as possible. And for me? Maybe I'll go back to getting dressed up every day to work in an office environment full-time, or maybe I'll continue with remote work. It's very common in the digital marketing space. I am really enjoying my work with the humane society and feel a sense of purpose and impact, besides motherhood (filling a different 'cup'). Maybe I'll continue my professional path in the nonprofit sector, or maybe I'll return to a similar role as before. I'm not going to think about that too much now but instead focus on being a present mother for an everchanging little girl.