This post is part of my series, A Real Picture of Pregnancy, where I document my pregnancy every 4 weeks. But rather than a perfectly-styled outfit, airbrushed makeup, chalkboard art and a clean house, I take the photo just as my life is. A beautiful mess. Unedited and not touched up.
There’s definitely been a theme for me in the last 4 weeks.
It’s something that’s taken me a long time to learn, and to be honest, I’m still on the journey.
I am worth it.
For me, I-am-worth-it really began when I started this site, about 11 months ago. (Can you believe it’s almost our 1-year anniversary, Mama?!?) Right away, I decided that the focus would be helping you find your inner glow, whether it’s through believing in yourself, taking a stand for your needs, or knowing you’re special, beautiful and oh-so-unique.
You are worth it.
This month, I’ve continued my own #glowgirl journey with a new branch of that theme:
I MATTER.
Groundbreaking, isn’t it?
On the mornings when I awake to a toddler yelling, “Mom, can I have some breakfast?” at 4:45am. On the afternoons when I’m sweating at the park, giving my kids the same directions, over and over, until I finally give up because I feel like I’m talking to no one. On the evenings when the hubby and I are having a disagreement, and I’m hurt.
I matter.
Yes, I do.
In this past month, I’ve mattered enough to voice my feelings to my husband, rather than holding them in and slowly becoming bitter. My new style of incremental, loving communication, rather than lashing out sporadically in rage (and only once I’ve reached my breaking point), has already helped our marriage in so many ways.
Also, after weeks of talking about it, I made the tough Mama choice to rehome our dog (which ignited some crazy, cyber-bullying backlash on the Facebook page).
But that’s okay. Because I matter.
Because the days of caring for 2 active toddlers, being 9 months pregnant and cleaning up after an unruly chihuahua were just too much.
In the last month, I also mattered enough to do things that make me feel good.
Like spending a day or 2 each month outside the home, doing something I love.
36 Weeks
One of the main things I miss about being a TV news anchor and reporter is the excitement of live TV, and having a blast with my coanchors.
A few months ago, the supervising producer at the Suncoast View contacted me, asking if I’d be interested in guest cohosting from time to time. At first, I was reluctant. If I was going to do it, I’d have to find childcare, and I wasn’t sure the cost was worth it.
(Duh. It is.)
Last week, I got to cohost the show twice!
And, let me just share the joyous layers of the onion that I peeled back in those 2 days:
1. Showering
2. Blow-drying my hair
3. Putting on full makeup, including even false eyelashes
4. Making sure my manicure and pedicure were perfect
5. Driving, alone, in our non-kid car to the TV station
6. Spending 1 hour on-set, participating in adult-only conversation, with no children in sight or earshot
7. Driving home, again alone
As a stay-at-home mom, all day everyday, those 7 items made me feel more “put together,” refreshed, rejuvenated and happy than words could ever describe.
Because they were just for me.
Whether it’s your former job or something else, I’m betting that if you could pick anything that makes you happy, and do it, your joys would be about the same.
#youglowgirl
Really, you do.
Oh, and one more thing:
You matter.
Yes, you do.
I’ll probably give birth in the next 2 to 3 weeks, so be sure to subscribe for updates when little boy #3 arrives! Maybe my next post in this series will be a birth announcement? (Gosh, I hope so. #imsodone)
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