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Backwards N High Heels

Balancing work and play while wearing many hats (I mean heels).

What I Learned About Living In The Moment

January 16, 2016

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Here is the thing. Lo awoke at 6 am this morning, wide-eyed and ready for the day. Momma on the other hand was a bit more groggy. Once Lo gets up, I usually can pacify her for 25-30 minutes in our bed before we really must bounce up and face the world.

To be honest, our typical mornings spent “cuddling” in bed are selfishly for me. I hope to possibly sneak 5 or 10 additional minutes of shut eye, while she watches Doc McStuffins on Disney. When that does not quite work out, I find myself laying there usually stroking her hair, my mind racing and placing unnecessary pressure on myself. Looking at the clock and beginning to feel anxious I silently tell myself, “10 more minutes.” I have already created a deadline. A deadline for my daughter and I. I have already made a mental list of chores or errand to-dos that I must accomplish. It is so unfair to Lo that as she looks up at me, fixated on me, all I can do is look at her and think about what needs to be done.

Lately I have realized that I do not enjoy such little snippits in time. I do not live in the moment.

You know, the moments where there are no cell phones or laptops. Moments of quiet and contentment. Moments where the only form of entertainment is my little one’s face starring at me, examining my structure and pointing forcefully at my nose and into my eyes. Moments when there is nothing to do but be present, breathe, live.  I do not like to admit this. It makes me really sad actually, but unfortunately it is the truth. I am not here writing this Blog to create a perception of a false reality of my life or any parents life. Maybe you can relate?

Sometimes I wish I could live my life like a child. They see their surroundings and the world untouched by perceptions, hate or even harsh truths. What is in front of them is what the see. There is no complexity about it. They do not worry about what must be done or time wasted. They truly live in the moment.

When I watch Lo play, I see how engaged she is with her current reality. Unlike me, who sits on the couch worrying about work, even though it is a Saturday. I fearfully login to my email to make sure I am not missing anything and can prove my commitment and reach. Although, the truth is because of this action I am missing something. What I am missing out on is the very little thing directly in front of me who is so content in herself and current surroundings. She in her little unknown wisdom teaches me so many things about little moments and life.

I am sad. I am angry. Why do we create such unnecessary pressure on ourselves to always do more, be more? Why are we not satisfied with the present? Why can’t we live in the moment?

So, this morning as Lo got sleepy eyed and needed her morning nap, I did like I always do. Gave her the binkie and her blanket, placed her in her crib, shh shh and walked away. I sighed in relief for an hour to myself to do what I wanted or needed, whether it be to curl back up in bed, clean-up the kitchen, pay bills or make a grocery store list. But, shortly after I heard her cry.

Every single dish in the house was dirty and I swear every piece of clothing laid in two heaping piles in the laundry room waiting to be folded. But, this morning, when I heard her cry, I walked away from it all. Instead of returning the missing binkie to her mouth and patting her back, and yet walking away from her again. I chose her. I chose the moment. I picked her up from her crib and I rocked her in her room for much longer than I typically would. And, you know what she did? She stared at me, soaking me in. What was she thinking? “What is wrong with you Mom? You hardly ever do this.” I felt so ashamed.

All she every needs is always right there in that second. So, I stared and smiled back. Kissing her forehead, humming and truly cuddling for the both of us. We said more and shared more in that moment, just quietly rocking.

Slowly she fell back asleep, and I placed her in her crib. As I walked away I thought, “Gosh, I needed that.” Once I allowed myself to give her all of me, I realized in essence that she gave it all right back. Nothing else that typically races through my mind of to-dos or have-tos would or could ever fulfill me like she does in the moment. It really is true how the little things are the best things.

Have a beautiful weekend, friends. And, my goodness, if you can, find your moment.

Enjoyed this post?  Awe, thanks. I am blushing.  We can connect through facebook || twitter || instagram ||pinterest || bloglovin’

TOMS Shoes

2 Comments CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, BackwardsNHighHeels, Being A Mom, Family, Family Blog, Living In The Moment, Mom Life, Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Advice, Why Can't We Live In The Moment

The Ultimate Baby Registry

January 7, 2016

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Baby Lo is officially one. Momma Bear Ashli is officially exhausted. No one mentioned that while the whole sleep thing does get better, the whole “tired” phase, yeah, not so much. When I was pregnant with Baby Lo, I was one of about eight other Mommas-To-Be’s that were expecting all within a one to two month window. Over the past year we have relied upon each other for confirmation that our baby’s rash is just that, a rash; we have vented over our fair share of frustrations which include husbands that turn into hibernating bears in the middle of the night (how can they sleep through that cry, how?) and have called, texted or private messaged each other over everything from “How do you soothe teething pain?” to “What brand of baby monitor are you using?”

One thing I found over the past year is that Momma’s are your greatest source of information and support. Looking back over the past year and the questions pondered, I realized if I could help future Mommas-To-Be it would be in the Baby Registry department. I did enough research in the beginning that you would have thought I was going back to college for another degree. Then add on a year of product testing. I feel like I got ya!

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Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016

December 31, 2015

Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016
2015 was a big year for our family. Our life was ever changed by the presence of one little human being. One beautiful, special human being that I cannot get enough of. Technically she was born in 2014, but this past year was a whirlwind of new experiences and firsts for us all. We celebrated so many achievements and milestones and embraced our tiny baby as she developed throughout the year to a toddler, a toddler I say. Baby Lo’s birth marked a spiritual awakening in me and I felt my heart grow so much bigger and my love for God so much stronger. From the moment she was placed in my arms and I was declared a “Mom,” I felt this immediate connection to God, unlike anything before. Knowing she is a gift from him and I chosen to be her Mom filled me with this overwhelming feeling of gratefulness. With my family before me and Lo in my arms, we both were baptized this year. It was a commitment we made as individuals and as a family.VIEW STORY »

2 Comments CATEGORIES // Family, Lifestyle TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, BackwardsNHighHeels, Being A Mom, Craze, Family, Goodbye 2015, Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016, Hello 2016, Motherhood, New Year's, New Year's Eve, Parenting

Best of the Best in 2015

December 30, 2015

Wow, how are we prepping for Old Man Time to walk out of the room and the New Year Baby to come wobbling in? Please tell me I am not the only one who has visions of such a cartoon scenario in their head when they think of New Year’s Eve. Anyone?

2015 has been a wild year for me on so many levels. Focusing solely on this Blog though, I want to take a moment and say, THANK YOU. I love that random people stop me in the grocery store and say, “I love your Blog,” or that friends from my past have connected with me through this blog and motherhood and private message me words of encouragement, and I love that I have readers! That I can go to the stats page and see what people enjoy. Again, thank you!

I said it once before and I will say it again, this blog is pure therapy for me. I love it and I love having you along for this journey. Here is a recap of what you loved in 2015. My Top 10 Blog Posts of the year. Did one of your favorites make the list?

#10 – Rocking Cinderella
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#9 – Introducing Sadie Days Designs
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#8 – This Is How God Works
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#7 – The first 6 weeks of Motherhood, let’s be real
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Rocking Cinderella

December 19, 2015

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My emotions are high. Sadness and happiness all entangled into one massive ball that sits high in my chest. I look at you and I am overwhelmed and blessed, yet at the very same moment, I feel this heaviness as if I am missing you already. How is that possible?

This year has been the longest and quickest year of my entire life. Becoming a Mom, your Mom, has been my greatest achievement. Hurdle after hurdle on so many levels, yet at the end of every long day, there you have been, allowing my exhausted mind and body to bask in your glory.

Today, on the eve of your very first birthday, I had many instances were I missed out on you in the moment because I was reminiscing on the past year. How have you gone from settled in the elbow of one arm to spread out across my upper body as you lay across my chest? How did you go from relying on me and my body to feed your little tummy to wanting bits of cheese and even french fries across your highchair plate? How has bath time which once occurred on our dining room table with a washcloth and bowl, turned into a full fledged soak down in our bathroom? How in the heck, in all this madness, has 12 months, 365 days, 1 year flashed before your and my eyes?

Today I rocked Cinderella. 

I held onto you tight. The clock today has been a countdown to midnight.

As I rocked you for your morning nap, fought you for your afternoon and sneaked you into my room (outside of our bedtime routine) to put you down tonight, all I kept thinking about was how at the stroke of midnight your infant phase will be part of our past.

All day long I felt like I took mental snapshots of our moments, as if when December 20, 2015 officially occurs you and I will be someone else. Like the Prince searching for the Princess at the ball, I will be searching tomorrow morning for my baby girl.

The thing with time is that it happens before your eyes and so fast. In the moment everything seems the same. It is not until you take a step back and look back that you see how much time has passed. How much change has occurred. Just how far you, we, have come.

Every day with you gets better. While I hold you tight not wanting to let go, at the very same moment I am enjoying your growth. You see, Cinderella, at one point holding your day old self, tight against my chest, in the wee hours of the night, seemed like a fairy tale. Although, the other night, watching you gleefully giggle at our Christmas Tree lights and play with your Daddy and I, well I thought, now this is the fairy tale I envisioned for our little family.

As this Eve comes to a close, and your birthday is just around the arms of a clock, I continue to learn lessons through being your Mom. Rocking Cinderella this evening, I learned a very important parenting lesson and that is letting go. While I allowed my emotions to get the best of me on a few occasions today as I thought about losing this “infant” stage, you are still my baby (regardless of your age) and maybe what I thought were our best days, well, they may not even compare to what is yet to come.

Happy Birthday Eve my beautiful little princess.

Enjoyed this post?  Awe, thanks. I am blushing.  We can connect through facebook || twitter || instagram ||pinterest || bloglovin’

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, BackwardsNHighHeels, Being A Mom, Birthday, First Birthday, Lessons, Mom Life, Motherhood, Parenting, Rocking Cinderella

My Kid, My Baby

December 17, 2015

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The reality is setting in.

My little lady is going to be one. ONE.

I have been counting down her birthday all week. Mostly, referring to the last days of the week I have my “infant.” I am feeling so incredibly emotional over the thought that my baby girl will soon hit a milestone and launch herself into a new category. The toddler category.

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Hello December

December 6, 2015

December has always been my favorite month. I just love the holidays and the build up to Christmas. Everything about the season brings me absolute joy.

But, boy has everything changed, now that we are a family of three. And, by changed, I mean for the better. Having our daughter to witness the magic of the season, right alongside us has made December, a month, I never thought could get better, well, better. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes, there is nothing sweeter or gratifying. And, I count my blessings for her each and every day.

This weekend has been festive!

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It all started with a trip to Daddy’s Christmas Trees. Baby Lo was thrilled with the layers. Thrilled.

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Dear God… I See The Good

November 17, 2015

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This world is crazy. After the tragic and terrifying events from the past weekend in Paris, I find myself turning on the news often, just to turn it off because it disgusts me and scares me at the same time.

I really try to find the good out there. But, when the TV, radio, social media and chatter is ever consumed by the doom and despair, pictures of horrors, stories of sadness, it is hard. Yes, sometimes it is hard to find the good in the world.

Not to get all sappy, but when I look at her, I see it.

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Tonight I Missed You

November 7, 2015

Tonight I missed you.

I had no intentions either. No plans for the emotional roller coaster that would take me on a tearful ride. But, I felt my stomach drop and a knot build in my throat as I carelessly scrolled though my Facebook wall. I merely was passing time. No real rhyme or reason. But, as I scrolled through my year, our year, the memories came rushing back.

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0 to 10 Parenting Scale

October 24, 2015

You know when you go to the doctor’s office and they ask you, “On a scale from 0 to 10, what is your pain tolerance?”

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When my water broke with Baby Lo, we rushed to the Emergency Room. “Level 3!” I declared and it was mostly that high due to nerves. I just felt like I peed my pants over and over but there were no contractions yet. I actually remember at one point thinking, “Maybe I will be one of those women who has a great pain tolerance for labor.” HaHa, oh silly girl. Then the pitocin kicked in and I smiled and told the nurse, “Okay, I think I am a 6.” An hour later, I rocked myself in an upright fetal position and exclaimed, “I am an 8.” I know, I am bad ass. Actually, then the kind anesthesiologist made his appearance and knocked me back down to a 2 before I ever had a chance to make it to 10. Thank you, kind sir.

So, why am I sharing this with you?

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Hi, I'm Ashli. Welcome to my little corner of the web!

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