Yep. I'm THAT Mom.

Since becoming a mother 8 months ago, I've been monitoring my "mothering" ways to see just what type of mother I am. Before having a child, I always thought I knew what kind of parent I would be; how I would view certain things (i.e. exposure to germs, safety, keeping a clean house, etc.). But once Audrey was born, everything changed. Well, not everything, but a LOT of things. Things I thought I would never be okay with, I'm totally fine. And things I thought wouldn't bother me do bother me.

So, what kind of mom am I? I'm THAT mom.

I'm THAT mom who recycles rice puffs that fall on the floor and in between the cracks of the car seat because she can't justify getting out new ones when those are perfectly fine.

I'm THAT mom who allows rice puffs to remain on her floor and allows her child to eat them off of the floor as she crawls along.

I'm THAT mom who doesn't require that every single toy be sanitized regularly. I'll hand her something today that she slobbered all over yesterday.

I'm THAT mom who doesn't bathe her child daily. I bathe her as needed; meaning I don't leave her stinking to the high heavens or dirty.

I'm THAT mom whose house looks like a tornado hit it. Toys are everywhere, clothes are everywhere, shoes are everywhere. Navigating it is a skill and I am well trained in it.

I'm THAT mom because I choose to spend my evenings and free time with my daughter, first and foremost, and then with myself. Rather than kill myself from exhaustion trying to make sure my house is spic and span, I take a hot bath after the baby is in bed and then catch a few shows on Hulu.

I'm THAT mom who, 9 times out of 10, puts her child to bed with a bottle. I don't rock her to sleep or hold her until she falls asleep

I'm THAT mom because I know good and well that the next morning, no matter how late I'm running or how hurried I may be, I will put my baby in my bed and lay with her while she drinks her morning bottle. I would rather have that time with her than the night before when I know she's just tired.

I'm THAT mom who wears her house slippers out of the house with her heels thrown in the diaper bag because she doesn't want to fall down the stairs carrying the baby.

I'm THAT mom who puts her makeup on in the car or at work so that she has more time at home with her baby.

I'm THAT mom who loves her baby beyond her wildest dreams and knows that even though her house and car may be a total wreck, and even though her parenting style may not match up to what experts say, or even to what the general public says/thinks, she is doing what is right for her and her family. And she will continue to do so no matter what anyone thinks and may tell you to mind your own business if you stick your nose in hers.

Yeah.....I'm THAT mom.

Mastering Money.....Maybe?

Money and I have a love/hate relationship. We have for quite sometime now. Luckily, I've learned how to handle it much better in the past few years and things may be looking up for us.

With Peanut set to be here in 5 months or so (that's scary just saying that), I have been pouring over my budget on an almost daily basis.

Although I've not been at my job a full year yet, nor will I be when Peanut is born, they have been extremely gracious and are allowing me to exercise FMLA. If you're not familiar with FMLA, it allows you to take unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks, while keeping your job in tact for when you return. While it would be great, there is obviously no way I can take 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Therefore I will be taking my vacation time (3 weeks of PTO) and then will be receiving Short Term Disability for 4 more weeks; putting me at 7 paid weeks off. At first I considered taking the 7 paid weeks and also taking 5 unpaid weeks in order to stay at home with baby girl for the total 12, but after having spent hours and hours going over my budget, I've decided I will take 8 weeks; making one week unpaid. It's not totally ideal as far as spending time with her, but money wise it is the smartest thing to do. It will allow me several advantages including a good chunk in savings and paying forward on several of my bills so that I'm actually ahead of the game. Also, as soon as I resume work full-time, I will be starting my 401k contributions up again.

For the long term, I have a savings plan that will include my yearly bonuses going into a savings account for Peanut. I plan to keep a household savings account for thing like emergencies and also for vacations. That will be funded with my tax refunds and the account for Peanut, by my yearly bonus. I find it much easier to save when you have a lump sum rather than trying to find money throughout the year to set aside.

I've also been finding ways to cut back in my monthly expenses. I cut out cable a while back and am strictly operating on Hulu now. If it's absolutely a necessity that I watch something (such as Chopped or Downton Abbey), I go to my mom's. Other than that, most things are on Hulu or the network sites. I've also started cooking rather than eating out all the time. I had my first success over the weekend with pinto beans and sausage. I shocked myself, actually. Mom assisted via text, but other than that I was totally solo. It gives me hope that I can actually do it. Obviously it will be awhile before Peanut is eating that type of food, so by the time she is I may be halfway decent! Ha!

All in all, I'm feeling calm about the money situation. I know emergencies happen (like $1000 vet bills), but with my savings account being padded, I will be much more prepared for them!