Real Life vs. Blog Life

We have been reading a great book in my mom's group this year. It's called "No More Perfect Moms" by Jill Savage for anyone interested in picking a copy up. But in reading it, we were discussing how moms today hold themselves to a different standard because of social media. Because they don't want people judging them, they don't want people to see their messy house, but let's be honest, the picture of me ripping my hair out and Ben laughing maniacally on the floor isn't really one most people want to see. Or maybe you do.

Nor is me doing the laundry very picturesque.

But that's my life.

So my question is. Why do mom's judge each other based on the little snipped of a life you see on a blog or on Facebook? Why do we feel the need to quietly compete over the prettiest dinner even while juggling 3 kids or the perfectly decorated and picked up house with a newborn? That's just not real life.

Blog picture:

From Corrina Marie Photography. Obviously, my children always sit still, next to each other and smile.

Real Life:

quite different.

Blog Picture:

Clearly, my children are always cute and hugging and getting along. No, that's false.

Real Life:

Blurs. Always blurs.

The point is, it's easy to blog about the perfect dinner you cooked...for the first time in 6 months. Or the adorable moment when your kids are hugging...right before they kick each other and run away. It's not how life is every moment, or ever day, or even at all this week...or last. The hugging picture was from this weekend. Win. And they didn't kick each other and run away, but Jackson did almost fall in a hole bigger than him. But I hope you guys don't read this blog thinking I am the perfect mother with perfectly well behaved kids. Because that's just not the case...at all. Or read any blog thinking they have perfect kids, perfect husband, perfect family, perfect jobs, etc. Everyone has their life behind the blog. And it's easy to take those precious few seconds and piece them together into a facebook or blog post. But real life is messy and I hope you all enjoy the mess that is your life and the precious seconds your kids are hugging and the hysterical laugh of your daughter as your son almost falls in a giant hole. There is a lot more happiness in the mess and not stressing and comparing ourselves to everyone else in the world.

Ok, end rant of perfection. I will try to share the bad as well as the good. And hope you will share your bad too with your friends! Because there are no perfect moms or perfect kids.

If you have Periscope, go check me out on there for some real life scope action ;) @emilytara

Life with 4 Under 4

I am not sure I'm an expert at this 4 under 4 biz yet but I am starting to get the hang of things. Its been a big help having my mom in town, but I know my day of doing it all on my own is coming very soon! I will write a full post on my life lessons when I have some to share but I just thought I would share how things have been going in the beginning with have 4 little littles.

 

 

 

My first thought was Ben would have a meltdown sharing mommy time, Amelia would be my helper, Jackson would care less. I was very wrong with my guesses.

 

Ben loves HIS baby and giving anatomy lessons about the baby. We have hourly discussions about how poking the baby's head and eyes is not ok. He also loves to give very heavy hugs. So....he isn't allowed anywhere close to baby. He handles not having mommy to himself well but he has grandma to play with, so I think that will change when she is gone.

 

 

Amelia actually could care less that Eloise is here. She will hand me a diaper or some wipes but other than that she minds her own business. She likes showing off her baby sister when friends have come by to visit or bring by meals but most of the time she does her own thing. I think when she can play with her, she will be a lot more interested. She asks daily if she is big enough to share her room with her so she is just waiting to have a toddler little sister ;)

 

 

And Jackson. Sweet, loving Jackson. Have I ever mentioned he is my sweetest child? He loves baby Eloise and gives her gentle hugs and kisses all the time. When she yawns he gushes about how cute she is. He really loves his baby sister and is so excited to tell everyone about her. Its super sweet. I know he is a loving boy but to see him being so sweet and kind to his sister just melts my heart.

 

 

Overall, everyone is adjusting. They still remember the days before Eloise and how Eloise was in mommy's tummy but she came out. It's definitely different having almost 4 year olds and a 2 year old and adding to the family than it was when the twins were only 19 months old. It was a much smoother transition then ;) the idea of getting all 4 kids dressed, fed and out the door in a morning by myself seems very daunting but I know I will get the hang of it. The twins are becoming more independent so that is helpful and once Eloise gets on a good schedule, I think I will manage but right now, it seems a little crazy.

 

So that's life so far! More updates as we adjust ;)