90 Day Motherhood Performance Evaluation

Around 90 days ago I left the corporate world and became the Chief Family Officer of the Bertsch household. In the corporate world around the 90 day mark from your start date you are usually given a 90 day performance evaluation to gauge where you are with your new role. I asked Quint (my son) if he wanted to give me a review and he just laughed and stared at me in confusion. (He tends to still not understand all my requests. Ha!). Since my one-year old doesn’t want to give me a review it got me thinking about my new role and how I think I’m “performing.”

I think I’ve become excellent at dealing with clients. The pediatrician and other playgroup moms tend to think I’m pretty swell. I’ve mastered communication by listening to my child’s nonverbal hints regarding his likes and dislikes. I’ve managed to multi-task between starting my own business, applying for work, and playing like a crazy mama. I’ve had to deal with difficult people (primarily named Quint) on multiple occasions and have yet to throw in the towel. I’ve created some new “projects” for the team that have saved us money and effort regarding our parental roles. I’ve brought laughter to the workplace daily. I allow my officemate (Quint) to dance like a wild man and sing (even when words can’t be spoken). I’ve let Quint fail at times…and have allowed myself to fail also as a Mom. We’ve learned together…laughed together…and most importantly loved our moments together.

I’m pretty sure I’m making a contribution to the Bertsch household. I remember thinking in the corporate world that I could never be replaced. Well…that theory was proven somewhat wrong…yet, I feel so blessed and fortunate to have found a new position that I’m quite certain the impact I’m making definitely can’t be replaced. Overall…I give myself a “pass” when it comes to my 90 day eval. I hope many years from now my supervisor (Quint) will be able to provide me with feedback that will solidify my current evaluation. :)

Registering for Sanity

Question:What did you register for that you never needed? 

Answer: I was incredibly lucky and had my sister (a seasoned Mom) with me when I registered. She was able to tell me a quick yes and no regarding what I would really need. Whatever you do don't go off the list Babies R Us provides. Keep in mind it is a HUGE marketing tool for them. Some of the items they encourage you to get you will never use. If you want a detailed list of what I really think you will need let me know and I will post you my list. I had a "need" and "wants" list. I got my "wants" at a second hand store.

Question: What did you wish you would have gotten?

Answer: Sanity, more sleep, etc. Just kidding! If only that was on the registry. How about I tell you what we ended up purchasing in the first six months that we hadn't thought to put on our registry.

• A really good umbrella stroller. Don't go cheap. Keep in mind your little one will use this stroller for the longest time. Look at it like an investment. 
• Jogging stroller. If you are an outdoor kind of person this is another area you will probably want to invest. Now don't get me wrong...I'm not Jane Fonda, but I do love to walk so for me a really nice jogger was a need. 
• Diapers. I applaud all parents that can do cloth diapers...we decided either Mother Nature would be cleaner and happier, or Mama (that's me) would be happier...I won. Don't get me wrong I love me some Planet Earth I just had to determine what I could handle. Anyways...register for very few small diapers. List size 2, 3, & 4 on your registry too. They grow like crazy. The worst is when you have a ton of spares of sizes they can't use. (Donate to a local church or shelter if you have any spares).
• Clothing. You never leave the house in the beginning. No need having a baby looking styling and profiling when they are super little. Register for a ton of clothing for 6 months and beyond. That is when they become mobile and messy:)
• PJ's- ONLY get zipper PJs. Trust me on this one. When you are sleep deprived and milk drunk as I call it...you will learn to despise button PJs. there is nothing worse than running on no sleep and trying to figure out what button you missed.
• Burp cloths- get the super cheap version. Cloth diapers work great for this too.

Lastly, checkout Buy Buy Baby if you have one near you. They price match (even off the internet like Amazon and such). I got my jogging stroller and umbrella stroller way cheaper because I could prove that Amazon was selling it much cheaper.

Have a blast registering. Happy mothering!

Big Bird or Bust

Question: What's your opinion on children watching TV?

Answer: Yikes! Already setting me up to get some blog hatters. Just kidding. I can totally take the heat...I think:) On the answer to this question I actually side with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). No TV before they are two years of age and then I plan to still limit TV intake time once they are older. Now I must confess...there have been a few occasions where Ellen might be on in the background while Q (my son) is playing in his playpen. In general though we don't allow Q to be planted in front of the TV.

There is the argument of some parents that claim their son/daughter love Big Bird (or many other characters)! When they watch Sesame Street their little one beams with joy and smiles ear to ear. Uh...of course they do. Even now as an adult if you see some huge yellow bird singing and dancing...you're gonna watch. Most likely you will also die laughing. So can you really gauge that your child is in love with Big Bird and the show is healthy for him/her? Probably not...alas that is why I side with the AAP and Big Bird won't be coming out of his nest until Q is 2ish.

Additional resource:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Where-We-Stand-TV-Viewing-Time.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

Why the blog? Ask away!

Few disclaimers before we begin:

1. I'm not a M.D., Ph.D, etc. If you need SERIOUS help...I'm not your woman. If you need a little humor, honest/opinionated answers...then keep reading and asking questions.
2. Grammar stinks. (I assure you my child will adhere to the standards of society though when they are in school). In this blog grammar will be tossed out the window. I plan to write as I speak...and hopefully that will provide some much needed entertainment to parental units out there.
3. All babies are different. The stories and laughter I will bring you are solely based on my one child thus far. (Guessing many of my opinions will change when baby two comes along in the future).
4. I am not the best Mom out in this world. I am actually far from the best Mom. What I am is incredibly honest, energetic, creative, and fun. When you mix that all together I think that is probably why people come to me for advice.
5. I'm sure there should be a ton more disclaimers...so just to cover my butt...these are ALL opinions and tried and true results from the way my husband and I have parented. In the event the practices don't work...don't get angry, take legal action, etc. If you don't like my thoughts just don't read the blog...super simple:)

I've been a "Mom" for a little over 10 months. I am FAR from an expert. I have learned so much over the past 10 months and I wish that someone would have told me the truth on some topics. Sure...you can learn a ton from "What to Expect...," but I wanted real answers. Ones that at times might scare most people, but I'm a huge fan of honesty. I believe when you mix honesty and humor you can take in and be ready to "hear" almost anything. So all that being said...what do you want to know about Motherhood? What Mama Drama do you want to know more about when you are preparing for your first little one?
Feel free to ask items like:

• What is natural childbirth really like? (Yes, I conquered natural childbirth...keep in mind I'm 5'3" and was 112 lbs prior to delivering...I also had a baby that was almost 9 lbs.)
• How long did it take to lose the baby weight? How the heck did you do it...and can everyone make it happen?
• Does a schedule work for babies?
• What do you really need to register for?
• Any recommendations on how to keep your sanity?
• Baby blues...how long do they last...what did it feel like?
• When is the best time to have help from friends and family members after your little one arrives?
• Any advice to single parents?
• Does it change your relationship with your hubby?
• To breastfeed or not breastfeed (that is the question)?

Those are just a few ideas. I plan to only post when questions come my way...so let the fun begin. You can email me your questions at askmamadrama@gmail.com

Happy reading and motherhood!