The past few weeks have been really challenging, but last night took it to a whole new level for me. When I look at this photo I of course see my sweet Stanley happily resting on my lap, but I also see someone who is really never “off-duty.” As parents are we ever really off-duty? Even when we are sleeping, unless maybe we are on a vacation without our children, are we ever off-duty? No, I don’t think we are. One ear is always listening for my son who may be crying out and needing me. I definitely don’t sleep as soundly as I did before being a mommy. When I saw this photo tonight I was blown away by the irony. Like, who is this girl relaxing with a glass of wine, wearing a shirt that says, “off duty” with sweet Stanley on her lap? Just a few years ago feels light years away. I definitely don’t feel like I’m ever “off-duty,” and Stanley will never sleep on my lap again. Gosh that hurts… I’m a bit all over the place here, I’m sorry! I hope you can follow what I’m trying to say…

Back to Lennox waking up at night! He was sick a couple months ago and I brought him into our bed for a week to monitor his fever and be close to him. Extra precaution. Did I love snuggling with my baby all night? Of course I did. But even though we have a California king size bed, no one really slept. I’m a very light sleeper and the slightest movement wakes me up. If I am exhausted and can barely keep my eyes open, I’m not going to be able to take care of my family the way I want to. My husband and Lennox didn’t sleep very well either. Lennox had some dark circles around his eyes which let me know that he was in lack of sleep as well. All that being said, it created a pattern that we have been trying to break ever since.

Night after night, Lennox screaming to come into our bed every couple hours has been absolutely exhausting. I gave in so many times but it just made things worse. At first I thought it was night terrors which I now understand to be something completely different. But after speaking to our pediatrician and his teachers I am aware that that is not what it is. He’s completely coherent and articulate about what he wants. For the longest time it was that he wanted to be in mommy and daddy’s bed. Now he is saying he wants a bigger bed. I’m so grateful that he’s able to tell me what he wants. I’m starting to look for a new bed for Lennox, but in the meantime, I pray that his crib will bring him some comfort until we get his big boy bed. Hopefully he has sweet dreams of Stanley, too.

I want to make sure and be clear to all of you reading this, that I am in no way bashing co-sleeping. I’m simply saying that it’s not something we have done regularly, and it’s clear to me now that it does not work for us. I respect every family and all the ways we choose to run our own households… Have your kids gone through similar situations? How have you dealt with these transitions? I’d really love some advice!

Xoxo

Amy

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Lennox asks about you occasionally and I hope he will remember you as he gets older. I don’t cry anymore (in front of Len) when we talk about you. I’ve gotten much better at it. I’ve tried explaining that you’re in heaven and that’s what his mimics back to me, but of of course he doesn’t understand. He just knows that he can’t see you. Breaks. My. Heart. Sophie seems to be doing really well. I think she loves the attention. But I’m sure she’s lonely and that breaks my heart, too. We’ve thought about getting her a friend but I don’t think I’m ready. You were the best big brother to her, Stanley. Thank you for loving Sophie so incredibly much.

I love you. I miss you. I hope you’re running around a beautiful field, eating a million treats and a million snuggles.

The post I love you, Stanley 🐶 I miss you… appeared first on Amy Davidson - Working Mom Blog.

A few months ago I went to an event with some fellow mommy friends and was introduced to the most inspiring women who are creating fantastic baby products. When I saw this little Incy settee I flipped out! Their entire line of children’s furniture is to die for! We actually have similar color of blue velvet chairs at our table, so when I saw the settee I knew it would complement Lennox’s playroom perfectly- which is just off of the kitchen, aka our “previous” dining room next to the blue velvet chairs. Space invader alert! But honestly, what drew me to this mini sized, adorable settee is the fact that it’s miniature!! I mean, I would have loved something like this when I was younger. My mom and I have loved miniatures ever since I was a kid. I had a miniature dollhouse that had everything from rugs and beds to silverware and cereal boxes. This collection is still in my moms house and something we both still cherish. My dream as a wee one was to have a life-size playhouse in our backyard. I always wanted one. Never got one… So as you can see, I’m just as in love with it as Lennox is! LOL! In fact, the whole family loves it. It’s really cute to see my husband cuddled up with Lennox reading on the settee. I’ve even caught him taking a nap on it as well!

Since having Lennox we’ve made many changes, as we all do when we welcome a pipsqueak into the family. Our home makeover has been a long journey, but everything is coming together and this perfect piece of furniture has made us so happy! It’s the little things, right? No pun intended. Oh, and Lennox’s t-shirt… Amazing, right?! We bought it when he was 4 months old in Colorado on a family vacation. I NEVER thought it would fit… Good lord! I’ve found a similar one for ya’ll, plus his furry friends. You’re welcome  Sophie is not for sale!

XOXO

Amy

1. t-shirt 2. distressed jeans 3.umi shoes 4.teddy bear 5. floppy bunny 6. Len’s lamby

1. t-shirt 2. distressed jeans 3.umi shoes 4.teddy bear 5. floppy bunny 6. Len’s lamby

1. t-shirt 2. distressed jeans 3.umi shoes 4.teddy bear 5. floppy bunny 6. Len’s lamby

The post a wee one👶🏼 on a wee settee🛋 appeared first on Amy Davidson - Working Mom Blog.

I don’t know how to do this. You were such an enormous part of our lives and everywhere I look I see you and I feel you. My heart is so incredibly broken. I can’t breathe and I can’t stop crying and I really don’t know what to do. Yesterday was one of the most challenging days of my life- to experience such polar emotions was almost more than I could handle… Saying goodbye to you was the most gut wrenching experience of my life, and then celebrating Lennox‘s second birthday party and putting on a brave face was almost just as painful. I’ve been looking forward to this birthday party for so long and I never thought I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it whole heartedly. But a piece of me was missing. A piece of me IS missing. You were my first baby, my little man who started loving me when I was younger and single and alone. You gave me he opportunity to love and learn how to be a mommy. You have always been my little man. Please make sure Sophie’s OK. I’m so worried. She’s never known life without you. Please always send comfort and Love to Lennox when he feels alone or scared. And please kiss him when he is celebrating beautiful moments. He’s asked about you a couple times and I just freeze and don’t know how to answer, so I change the subject. I can’t tell him just yet. And how would a two year old understand, anyway…? Everyone says this gets easier with time, and I pray that is true, but right now I feel so incredibly lost. Our home doesn’t feel as warm without you in it. I do hope this vacant feeling gets easier…

Thank you from my entire being for loving us so unconditionally. Thank you for teaching me what that is and what it looks like. I’m sorry I let your quirks bug me. That is something I will always regret. Looking back I wish I wouldn’t have gotten annoyed that you were always under my feet, tripping me. That you seemed to only really care about food and more food and more food. That you’d pee on the floor when you were mad at us. Looking back those were such small things to be frustrated about. I’m disappointed in myself for that. I’m sorry if you were trying to tell me something was wrong and I didn’t see the signs, or perhaps I convinced myself that they weren’t there out of fear. I mean, you were still running up the stairs and barking at Sophie but yes, you started sleeping more and more most days and you didn’t want to walk on walks. I just thought you were being lazy and wanted to lay in the bottom of Lennox’s stroller getting a free ride. But then you started walking in circles all day and I knew that something was wrong. And then you stopped eating and drinking. Watching that is what really killed me. Trying to feed you out of my hand like I did when you were a puppy was truly experiencing your life full circle. I could see you giving up and I know you were telling us it was time, and we had honor that. Right now the only thing that brings me peace is that you are no longer in pain, thank God. But even still, our hearts are shattered and I really don’t know how to mend them. So please look over daddy and me too, and let us know that somehow you are OK. That you are no longer in pain and you are happy. We love you so much, little boy. You will be in our hearts forever and ever. May you Rest In Peace and light. Like Daddy said, we hope you find a boyfriend in heaven.

With more gratitude than I can ever muster, thank you. Thank you for loving us.

Mommy

The post We’ll love you forever, Stanley 🐶 appeared first on Amy Davidson - Working Mom Blog.

They’re happy and licking because the both just got their teeth brushed and they love the taste of the poultry toothpaste. Yumm right?!! Yuchhh!! LOL!

Do you brush your dogs teeth? If the answer is no, please reconsider…

Virbac Toothpate was recommended to me by my vet (I’m not getting a kickback from mentioning this. I truly believe in the product!) After spending close to $1,000.00 between Stan and Soph’s dental cleaning, I knew I had to take care of their teeth and keep up with cleaning myself. I didn’t want to waste the money I spent. So I brush their teeth almost every night. Yes, sometimes I get lazy and skip a night. But most nights I grab the toothbrushes and toothpaste and just brush while watching TV. They hate it. I’m not going to lie to you… But they’ve gotten used to it and they know its something thats going to happen whether they want it or not!!!

Here is why its important to brush your dogs teeth:

According to the ASPCA, “Brushing your dog’s teeth isn’t just about fresh breath. It’s an essential part of good oral care, and good oral care is important to your dog’s overall health. Although most people aren’t aware of it, periodontal, or gum disease is a common, serious problem in dogs. Yet brushing your dog’s teeth can prevent it! Veterinarians estimate that 85 percent of dogs over five years of age suffer from periodontal disease, which develops when food particles and bacteria collect along the gum line and form soft deposits called plaque. Over time, the plaque turns into rock-hard tartar. If tartar isn’t removed from your dog’s teeth, it will eventually inflame his gums. As the inflamed gums begin to separate from the teeth, pockets form in which more bacteria grow, causing periodontal disease to worsen. At this point, your dog can experience severe pain, lose teeth, form abscesses in his mouth and develop a bacterial infection that can spread through the bloodstream to the kidneys, liver, heart or brain. Periodontal disease is irreversible, so now is a great time to get started on a regular oral-care regimen for your dog. Prevention is the key to keeping him healthy and happy.”

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