Meet Danielle
My name is Danielle Harper, and I am a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful little girls. My husband and I got married in June of 2007 - a short 9 months after we first met. Soon after that I became preggers with baby number one, and she arrived April 30, 2008. As soon as I looked into her eyes I knew there was no way I could leave her to go back to work as a bank teller, and that is when I become a stay-at-home mom.
Baby number two arrived April 30, 2010..... I bet that date looks familiar. Yup - both my girls were born on April 30th, and yes, it occurred naturally. No planned c-sections or anything like that, my body must just like April 30th.
Soon after my youngest arrived I started browsing around blogs and thought it would be fun to start my own, and so I did! And so Happenings of the Harper Household was born. It's almost like my third baby, hehe. I love writing about our life and my choices of being a breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering mama and there are always reviews and giveaways that match our lifestyle - think fluff and lots of it!
When do you feel like you're doing your best job as a mom?
This question is simple. I feel like I'm doing the best job as a mom when my kids are happy. Yes, the sink may be overflowing with dishes. There might be mountains of laundry in every bedroom. Toys may be scattered throughout the house. Cheerios might be stomped into the carpeting. Maybe you can even write your name in the dust on the TV screen. But if they are happy, then none of that matters.I would much rather take my kids to the park or go out for ice cream than worry about the state of my house. They will only be little once and the dishes will be there forever.
You knew this one was coming... when do you feel like you're doing your worst job?
This question is hard. I think I feel like I'm doing the worst job when mommy guilt sets in..... for example if I buy one munchkin a new toy and I don't buy one for the other, then I feel awful! Ok, and I will be honest, sometimes when the kiddos are having a rough day and the only thing I hear is crying and screaming sometimes I just want to escape for a little while, and it makes me feel awful that I just want to get away from them for a few hours.
What surprised you the most about motherhood?
Hmmmm...... well the entire time I was pregnant with DD2, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to love another baby as much as I loved DD1. This was a constant worry. I was so afraid when they handed her to me that I would just want DD1 in my arms. I couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as DD2 was placed in my arms my eyes flooded with happy tears, and it felt like she had been part of our family forever. I now know there is enough room in my heart for as many babies as the Lord will bless me with.
What is your go-to activity when you know a meltdown is coming?
One word - OUTSIDE. If I utter that one word a meltdown will almost stop instantly. Of course it might help that our back yard looks like Little Tikes world - what can I say, I'm a garage saling mama that always seems to score an awesome deal, hehe. This has pretty much worked for my oldest since she was only a few weeks old. If she was really fussy, we would go outside and walk around a bit and she was happy as can be.
What have your children taught you?
To enjoy the moment because once it passes it will be gone forever.
What will you miss the most about these years with young children?
Everything. The smiles, tantrums, giggles, hugs, slobbery kisses. I will most definitely miss the adorable sumo wrestler stance that DD2 always does and hearing DD1 call me "mama"...... I dread the day it becomes "mother."
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks for letting me share a small glimpse into my life with you..... if I've caught your interest be sure to come visit me at www.HappeningsoftheHarperHousehold.net
I couldn't feel more the same! Outside is the meltdown saver for us too!
ReplyDeleteOutside works for us, too! :-)
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