My 3-Month Evaluation

In most jobs, you receive a review or evaluation after three months. I figured that being a stay-at-home mom is now my job, so I should evaluate how the last three months have gone.

All in all, I would say that things have been pretty good. CJ and I have gotten into a fun routine of activities, and have made lots of friends that have provided support as I adjusted to this new role. That is not to say that I haven't had moments of insanity...trust me, there have been plenty. Given how nervous I was at the idea of staying home, I would say that my expectations have been exceeded. Here are a few things that have been keeping us busy:

We were invited (by my dear friend Evelyn) to join a preschool co-op with four other families. While CJ is a little young, there are other kids his age and it's been a great way for him to socialize and learn a little here and there. He loves these kids (and their moms), and is always excited to see them. I also appreciate having them as a support for me. They have all worked in the past, and understand she of the struggles that I've gone through as I've adjusted.

I joined Bible Study Fellowship (also thanks to Evelyn). Not only do I get to participate in a bible study each week, they have a children's program that introduces CJ to bible stories. I have really enjoyed taking time in the middle of my week to sing hymns, study the book of Genesis, and get to know other Christian women from around Las Vegas.

We have found other activities around Las Vegas. Our local library offers story time a few times each week that includes songs and dances. CJ isn't always excited to go, but I've caught him singing the songs at home a few times. I think he likes the idea of it, but the number of kids involved makes him a little nervous (and it's right before his lunch time). We also joined the children's museum. It is a little far from our house, but CJ has a great time whenever we go. While it isn't as good as the one in Phoenix, they are building a new location that should be amazing. Summerlin has some amazing parks, which has also provided us with endless hours of entertainment.

Now every valid evaluation should include areas for improvement. One of my biggest is taking time away from CJ. I am with him all the time. I love him dearly, but it has become very clear to me that I need breaks (and not just during nap time). I've asked Matt to keep me accountable in this area, because I know that I won't do it myself. It is also good for Matt and CJ to have time together without me. Even if I just take an hour to walk around Target, it helps me regain my sanity. Another area for improvement is finding different activities to keep us busy. I don't always want to go out, and finances are limited. Thank goodness for Pinterest. I have so many great ideas at my fingertips. He is still a little young for a lot the fun stuff I've found, but we've got a good list going.

The reason that I have enjoyed staying home this much is that we've found a community of friends and a variety of activities. I've figured out the right balance of how much CJ can handle before he starts to break down. While I have a lot to learn, I am proud of how I've done so far. It's funny; now that I've been home for a few months, the idea of returning to work is a little scary (quite the contrast from how I felt before we moved to Las Vegas).