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Backwards N High Heels

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

10 Things 5 Years of Parenting has Taught Me

October 30, 2020

A few years ago, I wrote this post – 10 Things 2 Years of Parenting has Taught Me.

Somehow, I stumbled across it again, and smiled at the lessons I shared and the memories from when it was just us and one toddler in our home. In fact, the lesson – pizza can be a breakfast food, made me chuckle as just this morning we gave our son a strawberry popsicle to coax him into sitting still for a haircut. When my daughter saw me reaching into the freezer for the dessert, she asked, “Why does he get one and not me?”

“Heck! It’s Friday,” I exclaimed and I tossed her a popsicle as well. Which leads me to my first lesson…

  1. Pick and Choose your Battles.
    Tears over wanting to wear Crocs with a dress, needing the syrup to be BESIDE the pancakes and not on top, requesting that they paint their own toenails even though you know full well that also means their toes… my greatest advice is to pick and choose your battles. This does not mean giving in to your child every time they demand, bulk, or ask a request. It means, taking a deep breath, and giving up absolute control and the micromanagement of every aspect of their lives. It means allowing them the ability to make some decisions and giving them the grace when it isn’t exactly the way you would do something.
  2. Your Car Will be Wrecked.
    Yes! No matter how hard you try… your car will be wrecked. Even when you swear no food or drinks in the car – you will bend. In fact, it most likely will occur on a long road trip when you realize your options are to stop and get all the kids out to eat or just keep trucking and hit up a drive-thru. There will be sports equipment stored in the vehicle versus home, because if it isn’t the car, you know you will forget it. There will be snacks stored in every door pocket and under seats. There will be jackets, and toys, and eventually, you will learn to just accept that your car is an extension of a room in your home.
  3. You Will Learn to Like Mornings.
    Yes, kids still get up pretty early long after their newborn and toddler years. And, yes, there is something about a child’s internal clock that ticks quite early on Saturdays and Sundays. Even though you may rise with the sun, there is something nice and slow about mornings (particularly weekend mornings). I am talking about sleepy heads with bed head and the cutest jammies. Our kids crawl into our bed, and with a cartoon on the TV in the background, my husband and I close our eyelids and snuggle our babies, enjoying the routine of mornings.
  4. Holiday Magic Returns.
    Remember when you were a child and sat for what seemed liked forever flipping the pages of the JcPenny’s Holiday catalogue? I would carry it around until the edges of the pages curled and frayed from the constant touch of my hands. How about the excitement of Christmas Eve and the difficulty it took you to fall asleep in pure anticipation of Santa to arrive? As adults, those simplistic joys seem to fade, but children have a way of of reigniting the spark and suddenly, holidays become magical once again.
  5. You Will say the Most Absurd Things.
    “Don’t lick the concrete.”
    “Please don’t put your diaper in the toilet.”
    “Stop peeing on the floor!”
    “No! That’s dog poop, not a rock.”

    These are all statements my husband or I have made without even batting an eye at how absurd we sound.
  6. Never say Never.
    Before we had children, my husband and I would totally judge parents out at restaurants with children that were on phones or electronic devices. “When we have children, they will not have a phone at the table,” one of us would say. HaHa!

    “What were we thinking?” we say to each other now as one of us loads ‘Baby Shark’ on Kids YouTube for one child, and the other uploads the Barbie Dreamhouse game on our phone for our other child.
  7. The End of Your Work Day Actually Isn’t the End of Your ‘Work’ Day.
    I typically get to clock out of my job around 4:00 pm. Since my husband has his own company, he typically works much later. Nonetheless, just because we walk out of the door of our places of work that does not mean our day is over. Far from it! I usually joke, ‘Well, I am starting my second shift,’ as I pick up the kids and head home for an evening of dinner, playtime, homework, baths, and the bedtime routine.
  8. Children Have a Sixth Sense.
    Whether its whispering to your spouse a room a way, or sneaking in an Oreo while making dinner, children have a sixth sense to know all and somehow see all. I am still not quite sure how they do it, or when we grow out of this amazing super power, but when they are little, they will in fact question any little white lie you throw their way.
  9. Your Priorities will Change.
    Children have a way of naturally making you realize and appreciate the things that truly matter in life. Suddenly, when the world feels chaotic and life seems too much to handle, you look at your children and realize everything you need and everything that matters, is them. Life with children means prioritizing what is most important and placing their interests before anything else, which also become your best interests. Life, while it feels crazier with kids, it also feels much more intentional and meaningful.
  10. Take All the Pictures.
    Have you heard the saying, ‘Don’t Blink.’ Of course you have. It doesn’t feel like the saying is true when you are in the thick of parenting. I can assure you that those first six weeks home with a newborn don’t feel like they are flying by. In fact, during those early weeks, I felt like the clock stood still. But there is also a saying which is, ‘The days will feel long, but the years will feel short,’ and that is when the sentiment, ‘Don’t Blink’ feels heavy. I look back over these five years and think, ‘where did the time go?’ and ‘how did it happen so fast?’ So, take all the pictures, and live in the moment, because time steals our youth and theirs so fast.

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: 10 Life Lessons I Learned From My Toddler, Life Lessons, Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Lessons

Hospital Must-Haves: Packing for Baby

March 25, 2019

*This post includes affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission off of your clicks and purchases. It is an easy way for you to support my blog.

Hey, friends. How ya been doing? It has been a gosh darn delay between posts. Two little ones at home all day will do that to a Momma, this Momma none the less. I really envisioned my time off with these two filled with some great down time to write. HOLD ON, while I go lock myself in my bathroom and laugh. Speaking of locking one’s self in a bathroom, I have tried this method to escape the parenting madness and newsflash… they will find you!

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If You Give A Mom A Baby

February 28, 2019

Cartoon Mom holding a cup of coffee

If you give a mom a baby, she’s going to ask for a cup of hot coffee.

When you give her the cup of hot coffee, she will probably take one sip, then set it down on the counter.

She will set it down because the baby will start to cry so she will ask for the baby’s pacifier.

Then she will want to walk around the house bouncing and shushing the baby.

She will probably walk by a mirror.

When she looks in the mirror, she might notice her hair hasn’t been washed in four days, so she will probably ask for a hair tie.

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1 Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, BackwardsNHighHeels, Mom Blog, Mom Humor, Parenting, Parents of Little Ones, Parody

What I Mean When I Say, ‘I Hope to Raise you Right.”

September 15, 2018

When I found out I was having a girl back in 2014, the first thought that came to my mind was that I couldn’t believe it (that is a story for another day and the result of an ultrasound tech writing “It looks like a girl” on our printed sonogram) but secondly, I thought, “Oh, Lord, help me raise her right.”

I think that is a normal fear regardless if you are welcoming a boy or girl, or if you are a first time parent or bringing another child into this world. The truth is the “Oh, Lord, help me raise them right,” thought or ‘fear’ will follow you through life as a parent, not just during those pregnancy and newborn stages. However, raising them ‘right’ is up for interpretation and we can pour our hearts, souls, and well-being into our children as they enter each stage of their life, and yet, one day, in a moment, they will walk out of our home and be tested in the world.

So, dear child, while my hope always is to raise you ‘right,’ what I really mean is this…

  • Your best accessory is your smile. When you enter a room, acknowledge those around you with eye contact and a smile. It eases people and is a warm way to make a first impression.
  • You are beautiful but you are also more than that. We easily praise people on their looks but fail to compliment their brains, athletic ability, character, and heart, which amounts to so much more in value.
  • Treat everyone you meet with the same respect. Titles only matter on a business card. You can achieve just as much, if not more, than the person down the hall with a personal admin, sitting in a plush, shiny suite.
  • Always be honest. It is admirable. Even if the truth hurts you and others, at the end of the day, you answer to yourself and I pray you can always go to sleep with a conscious heart.
  • When all else fails, call your parents. No matter what, your biggest supporters in this life will be your ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad.’
  • Practice forgiveness and empathy. Too often we hold grudges and miss out on meaningful relationships because we can’t let go. Please, let go.
  • Treat yourself better than the people you love the most. That is not selfish, that is important. Your well-being is critical to your success and the love you project.
  • Perfection does not exist. Do not be fooled by what society pressures on you. Life is messy and unkind. Know that and you won’t be disappointed.
  • The smartest people in a room are the ones listening. Learn early in life that listening is a skill that does not come naturally, but if you excel at it, you are among the leaders.
  • Don’t burn bridges. Decisions will need to be made and some will not so easy, but always go about your actions and words by remembering that while this world feels big it is quite small, and you actually may never know who is standing on the other side of the bridge you just let burn.
  • There will come a point in your life when money actually doesn’t mean anything, but instead, your self-worth and contentment are more powerful and abundant than the zeros in a salary.
  • The adage of how you treat someone when no one is looking is exceptionally true. Strive to be the good the world is yearning for.
  • Stand up for what you believe, but more importantly remember that what you believe may not align with others and that is okay, I repeat okay. Respect others. Even if their beliefs are not the same as you.
  • Be silly and never take yourself too seriously. There is enough seriousness in this world.

And, while I will do my best to raise you the way I feel is ‘right’ and I know my work is never done, I also know one day I will transfer you to the world. From there my hope is my guidance and wisdom, lessons I have learned will stir and spiral somewhere in the depths of your soul, and subconsciously you will bring the world the grace, kindness, and love it so desperately needs.

Love you,

Your Momma.

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, BackwardsNHighHeels, Guidance for our Children, Guidance for our Daughters, Lessons for our Kids, Life Lessons, Moms and Daughters, Motherhood, Parenting, Wisdom

PS – The Coffee Is Cold

August 12, 2018

PS-The-Coffee-Is-Cold
The last two weekend mornings I have rolled quietly out of bed in the early hours, adjusted the curtains so no sign of approaching sunrise sunshine can peek in and reveal the call of the morning, tippy-toed out of the room, and pulled the bedroom door closed. Why? Because for some time our three-year-old has been failing the “sleep in your own bed” nightly quiz and finding her way to our bed sometime between the welcoming hours of oh say – 2 or 3 am, each night.

This results in me tossing and turning and bracing myself for impact as I cuddle against the edge of our queen sized bed. I am not sleeping. And, with my growing pregnant belly, I am forced to get creative in how I find comfort.

So when 6 am rolls around, I have had it. I am spent. And my only saving grace is the thought of a hot cup of coffee, and some quiet alone time while Logan and Nathan sleep.

People, so far this weekend I am 0 for 2. I swear my toddler has a built-in magnet that connects her to my body or some weird internal radar that alerts her when I have exited the bed, specifically on Saturdays and Sundays. Yes, on those days the radar is particularly so strong. What I want to know is who the heck turns it on during weekends, because weekdays, she could give two cares less if her peaceful sleep is interrupting my need to get out the door and to work on time.

Both attempts this weekend for some alone time have included a successful cup of coffee being brewed. I have indeed cozied into the couch and took advantage of On Demand, to catch up on any TV show that does not include the words Mickey Mouse, Doc McStuffins, PJ Masks, or Fancy Nancy, but just as I settle in, I hear footsteps and the door open and the whine begin.

Usually, her first words are “get me some milk” or “turn on a girl’s show.” Good morning to you too, precious one. And from there the demands continue and pile up.

This morning within 30 minutes and all before 7 am, I had already canceled my On Demand, found a “girl” TV show, made her a cup of milk, put in a movie since the TV show was not quite jiving. There was a baby doll that needed dressed, a baby’s hair that needed to be combed, I got yelled at for tossing the baby on the couch and being miserable (I was). We cried because she wanted me to stop drinking my coffee to make “Daddy one” (even though Daddy was still sleeping). Bitter? Maybe. We needed a blanket. We cried for a popsicle. We settled for blueberries. We asked what our plans were. We spilled the blueberries all over the couch.

No wonder we feel depleted some days before the sun.

I love this little girl with my whole heart and soul. She brings me joy and fulfillment and every ounce of happiness one could, but for the love of all things magical, this tired Momma could use a Mommy timeout or break, or just an hour alone in the grocery store today. Anyone else picking up what I am putting down? Empathy please.

Cue the sappy violin music.

PS – Coffee turned cold.

1 Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, backwards n high heels blog, BackwardsNHighHeels, Family, Life With A Toddler, Mom Life, Motherhood, Parenting

Mornings in my Rearview Mirror

February 3, 2018

Can we talk about mornings? Ya, know what I am talking about? Shit show mornings. Sorry for the curse (not sorry). Mornings when you have to get out the door and be at your office job by 8 am, and you got kid(s) – well I am not joking, it is a shit show. Sometimes I exclaim “I have worked a full day before I even start my ‘workday’.” Why? Well, because I am exhausted mentally and physically from mom life and adulting. I am pretty sure I do more from 6 am to 8 am than any other two-hour span all day.

Coffee. Bottle. No, actually I need to clean a dirty bottle, so my daughter has a bottle. Shower. Laundry load switcharoo. Throw a toddler in the shower. Well, don’t throw her. Find papers from work that said toddler relocated somewhere in the house (usually her shopping cart, along with a potato from three weeks ago). Fix hubby a coffee. He drinks it cold. I drink mine cold. Get ready the best possible way I can. Dry a wet toddler who got out of the shower and is crying she is cold from the bathroom. Pack toddler bag. Pack my lunch. Locate car keys, after getting locked out of the house in the cold. – You get it!

So, when we finally, yes FINALLY, get ourselves in the car to head out the door, sweat pouring from my face and down my neck even in sub-zero degree temperatures, I find myself sighing heavy and wanting to crank up the radio and drown life out.


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Today You Are Three

December 20, 2017


Today is the day my baby girl, turns three. THREE! Seriously, I still do not know how that possibly could be. I look at the clock now, and think back to three years ago today, when she came into this world three weeks too early, but right on time for me. My little Christmas baby and present. A joy and complete whirlwind arrival. I think of her tiny little fingers and nose and swear I can still smell her sweet newborn smell if I think really hard. And, while I very much find birthdays for myself exciting, for Lo, they are all too often bittersweet. She has grown. Another year down. And, yes, I am grateful and blessed for this past year, it is too nostalgic to really think how quickly time does pass and every moment and milestone you thought just would never come, has come and gone. But, instead of focusing on my pitiful sadness of watching my baby turn into a little lady, I celebrate her and the many joys she has brought to me.


Today you are three!

  • Your imagination and the wonder in your eyes. Watching you pretend play is like living every day in theatre. You are so committed to your imaginary world and bring us in with your stories and play.
  • Your uncanny ability to hear a song play once and then be able to sing the lyrics upon the second time it plays. I cannot tell you how many times your Dad and I have looked at each other, “Oh my goodness can you believe this?”
  • How when we say our nighttime prayers, after listing all our family, you pause, giggle and say, “And, waterparks.”
  • The fact that you can without certain, determine if I have heated your bottle to the perfect :35 seconds.
  • Your sense of adventure and exploration. A distinct characteristic you must have gotten from your father.
  • When you ask to eat at “Chic FOR Lay” 🙂
  • Your idea of a Saturday. Shopping! Girl, your father is going to be in trouble.
  • Your my cuddle bug, and I love when you curl up in my arms.
  • Speaking of that you are my baby cakes and honey bee and if I address you anything different you quickly remind me that those are your names.
  • When you take your little hands and squeeze our checks and announce, “I love you!”
  • Your obsession with the movie ELF this holiday season.
  • Your big blue eyes and bright smile.
  • Your giggles and laugh really are my favorite.

Today you are three! But, as I explained to you last night as I put you to sleep, while two is now gone, my sweet baby, you will always be. Remember, you promised!

Happy Birthday, our sweet girl. We adore you and love you.

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, Family, Happy Birthday, Life With A Toddler, Motherhood, Parenting, Third Birthday, Today You Are Three

Fall Bucket List

October 7, 2017

Fall2017
Poof! We flipped the page on the 2017 calendar and here we are in October already. Now how in the heck does this seriously happen, people? Like, really? You know what this means? Christmas is merely a few weeks away. I can not help myself. I am a BIG holiday person. Like, already purchased Christmas gifts, started making lists, almost cried when I heard Toys R Us claimed bankruptcy, Christmas season loving kind of person. I feel it is important we get that out in the open now.

Even though I know twinkling lights, a Christmas tree, holiday music, baking and gift giving and wrapping is just around the corner, I will take a moment to enjoy the moment and that is beatiful Fall.

Since the Autumn Equinox occurred September 22, our little family has been busy tackling some of our must-dos.

Last weekend we took Logan to a local Fall Festival in West Virginia. There were about 1,000+ people crammed on the small farm lawn, and the early cool Fall breeze and lower temperature crept higher in the 70’s and low 80’s as the day went on, making our Fall inspired outfits of sweaters and boots turn on us. Suddenly I was ridiculously hot and sticky. It could have also been the 24 kids crammed in one bounce house as I tried hoisting my body over the side walls to retrieve my child.

Oh, and we waited about 20 minutes for face painting and during that timeframe we convinced our daughter that a cute bumble bee on her cheek or kitten whiskers would be plenty. Something about all that paint and those brushes and maybe the kind women who clearly loved painting this on hundreds of children who said, “How about a tiger?” and held up a picture of another child with this same face paint.

Lady, we were giving you a break out of the hundreds of kids with ours. Welcome to carpal tunnel.

I mean clearly, Lo is amused.

This was 5 minutes after she screamed that she did not want to pet a goat and then decided moments later that she did. Kettle popcorn fixes everything.

You see we are already well on our way to accomplishing our list – we visited a farm, a fall festival, and ate kettle popcorn. Noticeably missing from the list below, drag out tired tiger child from festival and momma strip down in car from heat exhaustion.

Don’t let my attempt at humor sway you. It actually was a great day and this really is a fun season!

Fall-Bucket-List-Ideas copy

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, Fall, Fall Activities, Fall Bucket List, Fall Must Dos, Motherhood, Parenting

Now I Am Left Cleaning The Mess

September 21, 2017

Article originally published on Her View From Home.

Disclaimer: I wrote this post in May of 2017. I held my breath and hit submit, as I emailed my first piece to Her View From Her Home for consideration. A few days later, the kind, patient and encouraging Leslie Means, creator of Her View From Her Home, gave me a chance at writing. A lot has changed since I wrote this piece; however, this time in my life was a breaking point that changed me. Like a light switch that finally after years of jiggling turned on. This work opened up my blogging networking doors, but it also contributed to the most private messages on any one post I have yet to receive. It is an important message, so I share again this time on here, in the hopes that it will resonate with you.


 Lately, I have felt like the inside of a soda pop bottle. The liquid that swashes and swishes around against the inside of the plastic bottle being tossed around by a swinging hand. A sway to one side and a swoosh to the other before one day the handler grabs the bottle with both hands and furiously shakes it with all their might. The pressure builds. And finally the cap unscrews and I feel all the emotions that have been stirring inside me, spill out all over myself, others and everything I touch.

Now I am left cleaning the mess.

A mess that includes words mumbled under my breath to my husband in frustration, yet he heard; impatience with my two-year-old who just can’t keep up with my mental and physical speed of doing things; shortness with my work department team who bears the brunt of coldness after I return from a stressful meeting; a home that needs dire attention due to lack of time to care for the space; and, my own personal self who feels the weight of the world heavy on my mind and heart.

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1 Comment CATEGORIES // Family, Lifestyle TAGGED: Advice, Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, Motherhood, Parenting, Work Life Balance, Working Mom

You Are Still A Great Mom

September 6, 2017

You-Are-Still-A-Great-Mom_BackwardsNHighHeels_Blog
Hey there, Momma dear. I see you and I feel you. Right now you are beating yourself up over something you didn’t do, or actually maybe something you did do or something you said, but regardless of where you fall on the feelings spectrum, I am sure at some moment you have felt a form of failure. Mom guilt is real, raw and creeps up in the depths of your gut and swirls through your soul to overwhelm you with that “gotcha feeling” that makes you just slump over in all the bad feels. Momma, I am here for you and here to tell you that you got this.

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4 Comments CATEGORIES // Family TAGGED: Backwards In High Heels, Backwards N High Heels, Backwards N High Heels Lifestyle Blog, Mom Advice, Motherhood, Parenting

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