Deep Into Motherhood

Before I start my story I have a confession to make. My story won't make sense unless I confess. I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers. I actually worked for WW for about 9 months. Although I am not currently at my goal weight, I will say that the program works. I've seen so many people (myself included) find success through the WW program.

Alright, now onto my story.

The phrase "deep into motherhood" was said by my wonderful WW leader, Cindy F., on her last day as leader. She was sharing that when she became a WW leader she was deep into motherhood and needed an outlet-desperately. WW became her source of outlet, her circle of friends, her support system. Her words jumped out at me like a skydiver jumping out of a plane. I was "deep into motherhood". As hard as I tried, I couldn't shake the fact that I put my kid, my husband, my house, and my job, before myself. It was starting to drive me insane. Cindy saying that was like a wake up call. I had just started working for CAbi at that point and although I didn't see it as an outlet for my mommy-deepness, it quickly became so. CAbi has helped and so has making myself more of a priority. I've gone out with friends more, I've left Lovie home with Honey more, I ever joined a book club. Which also forces me to read. Something I did pre-kid but largely abandoned post-kid.

Getting out of the depths of motherhood is why I so enjoyed reading the book Lift, by Kelly Corrigan. I stumbled across it about a month ago when I had a rare morning to myself while my Toyota was getting the recall fix [isn't that just a story for anohter time]. I meandered around Borders like I was single and childless (translation: heaven) and found the book. Kelly Corrigan is a cancer survivor and mother of two. She is well-known for her website www.circusofcancer.com. I picked up the book because I liked the first page, which is always my test of a book.

Believe me when I tell you if you are a mother, run, don't walk to get this book. It spoke to me on so many levels. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was truth. Any mother could've written this book about their own experiences, and I'm so glad Kelly did. The best part is it was obviously written by someone who knows that moms have no time on their hands because it's only 80ish pages long. Check it out and let me know what you think.

All the ladies in the club put your hands up!

Honey has been trying to teach Lovey to do a fist pump since she was old enough to stand up on her own two feet. Well folks, this week, she got it! He asked her for the usual high five which she happily granted and then he asked her to pound it. She put her little hand into what could only loosely be called a fist and touched Honey's fist. All with a big smile. Clearly one of Honey's proudest Daddy moments.

My proud Mommy moment came shortly thereafter. Honey spontaneously said to Lovey, "Raise your hand if you're beautiful!" and both of Lovey's arms shot up into the air. It was so wonderful I could've cried. Now this is a daily routine: high five, fist pump, and raise your hand if you're beautiful. I wonder if Honey knows that he is giving our daughter something so few women have, pride and self-worth, in this small little gimmic. I plan to enjoy every minute of it, and raise my hand every chance I get. Who's with me?