Daily Vegas ~ My Young Philosopher

Sarah over at The Stroller Ballet has started such a wonderful Meme, which I couldn't help but want to participate in. The {very} young Philosopher is a place where parents can link up and share lessons they have learned from the little people in their lives. My tiny little man has already taught me so much about not only myself, but also life since he made his way into our world 16.5 months ago. But really he started teaching me before he was even born.

This is the face of someone who knows more than you realize ~ My very own Little Philosopher

This week I am wanted to touch on how much my little philosopher has taught me about health. When you are pregnant, most people (I wish it was all people) realize that it is no longer a time to be selfish in your life. From the moment I got pregnant I quickly realized it is about more than just me, but also how important it was to take care of myself, so I could be here as long as I possibly could for my Squishy baby.

Lesson #1 - I quit smoking.
Yes, it is disgusting, nasty, dirty, IhavenoideawhyonearthIeverpickedupmyfirstcigarette, and yucky addiction. It took getting pregnant for me to quit. And I have quit. I have slipped up since Squish was born, which is even more embarrassing, but the truth is it was the perfect and disgusting reminder for why I no longer smoke. Just more proof that I am the far from the perfect mother, but I know it is okay not to be perfect. Instead I try to live by what I know is right for me, and go from there.

Lesson #2 - Eating healthy
I am still learning this one. We have made the switch to mostly organic and local produce, meat, and dairy. I feed my son a rainbow of food, and take extra care to ensure what goes into his body is for the most part healthy. (I also believe it is okay to eat a fun food every now and again.) I however, continue to struggle with finding time to eat right for me. I am starting Nurtisystem in a little over a week from today. I am going to use it as a way to get to a goal weight, and re-train myself how to eat. I am want my son to look to us as examples. Funny, he will be looking at us to examples, but he will be the reason why we eat healthier.
Lesson #3 - Take time to take care of yourself, and ask for help when you need it.
This is a lesson I learned the hard way while my husband was deployed the first time after our son's birth. With no family here (Auntie Kim didn't move here until later), and the pressure to feel like I needed to do everything, all the time, and do it perfectly. I very literally came close to losing it. I was anxious all the time, and not sleeping at all. I was alone, and exhausted. I finally asked for help when I looked at my son and realized I wasn't enjoying the small things as much as I should be. It was because of him that I asked for help and support. I am so glad I did. This deployment is so much better. Squishy taught me it is not only okay to take time for me, but imperative to take time for me.

How did such a little man get so smart so quickly?? Join in and Link Up at The Stroller Ballet

Please note: it was hard to share a lot of this. So please be kind and remember we aren't all perfect, and that is okay.