It's been one year since my last week of work. And Brady has had a rough week to mark the anniversary. We started our week off with a Monday morning doctor's visit for his bathroom issue. We left the office with a solution to that problem AND a double ear infection. Wednesday night, I noticed his feet had a rash on them, but assumed it was from playing out in the grass. After getting worse through the night and Thursday morning (and really bad sleeping at night), we headed back to the doctor's. We walked out of that appointment with the diagnosis of Hand Foot and Mouth. Unfortunately for Brady, it covers his whole body. He has cried for two straight days. It really breaks your heart because we have never really seen him sick or so miserable. It's a first for all of us!
So it's been a year already of being a stay-at-home mom. I like to think of it like "we survived". We had some ups and downs, but it's kind of like taking a big sigh of relief that we did make it work for the whole year. It was challenging for me although I wouldn't change a thing. I think one of the things I like best about it is that I am home for Drake all day. With him being on steroids, I always worried about his long days with no bathroom breaks. It's nice to be at his beck and call too. Drake has made huge sacrifices in this stay-at-home process. We switched him from the Hills food to regular dog food and treats. We feed him less (we were over-feeding him), and we stopped his flea and heartworm through the winter. We save almost $60 every two weeks because of this.
People have asked me how we did it. I tell them every pay period is still a learning process. Thank goodness we have a savings account because we have depended on it. I have given up a lot also. I basically have no clothes, shoes, etc. I never go out unless it's a friend get together with kids. I gave up concerts, home parties, birthday presents, spent less on Christmas presents, I don't get pedicures any more which was a huge sacrifice because I used to get them once a month, I did not renew our magazine subscriptions, gave up our lawn service, we rarely go out to eat unless it's Subway or some place like that. We buy a lot of generic products (as a friend mentioned, generic is often cheaper than using coupons), we bundled services, gave up our home phone, I make my own baby wipes and laundry detergent, and we have a lot of used/borrowed things. I try and shop at garage sales and second hand stores more. Brady and I walk everywhere when the weather is nice (the gym, the library and the Dollar Store). For awhile last summer, I was filling my car up with gas every two weeks. It was awesome. Now this may not sound like much fun to you as the reader of this blog, but let me tell you that when you are home every day with your little man and the only place you go is the gym or grocery store, no one cares if your toes are painted, or if you have nice clothes in your closet. I don't have any desire to go out and party, so I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. Material things just do not matter anymore and in a way, it feels very freeing. All that matters to me is that Brady is happy and provided for. And after watching that little guy, I feel like we are succeeding!!! It's been worth every single thing I have given up to spend this time with him.
So here's to another fantastic year with my boo!!! :)
Great job Heidi! All those little changes make a big difference! Its a whole different perspective on life and it IS very freeing! We've been making changes too, even though we have 2 incomes, and its amazing how much stuff you really don't need. I have to say, I LOVE second hand stores and I am really mad at myself that I didn't shop there more for Iz when she was a baby. To think about all the money I have spent on clothes that just get stained or barely worn makes me ill. Kudos to you and here's to your 2nd year of SAHM!!
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