No Smock Zone

    I try not to compare myself with other Moms. We are all so different. Our personalities, our kids, our lifestyles and experiences; they're all different. So, to me it doesn't make sense to compare our family with others.

BUT

Sometimes I get that little voice that says,

 "Would you look at that. Don't you wish WE could do that/have that/go there".

And usually it's when I see little boys or siblings in smocked or monogrammed outfits.

The Holidays are in full swing and maybe it's just in the South but OMG these sweet little babies in all the fall themed smocking is killing me ya'll.

 I see pumpkins and tractors and rows of corn with big ole' initials in the middle and I just melt. I love seeing all the new Facebook pictures of my friend's beautiful children .

We may have to wear shorts for Thanksgiving down here but by goodness we will rock that gingham and smock.

And then the jealousy creeps in.

Big has major sensory issues with clothing.

From tags to seams to the thickness of fabric and the height of his socks and the crease in the elbow. We can find issue with most things that aren't gym shorts and plain t-shirts, so smocking and the big thick monogram in the middle is, obviously, out of the picture for us.

With that said, it isn't just Big's sensory issues that make that coveted smock out of reach for us.

For me to be a stay at home mom, we've had to make some hard choices and sacrifices.

Name brand clothing is one of them.

We pull the strings tight to make what we do possible and we have to laugh off comments about how people have to make bank to survive on one income or snide comments about how nice it must be that I stay home with our boys.

 It is nice, it's a blessing for us because if I were still working, we would be in an even tighter place but it's hard and one of the things that make it hard is sometimes not being able to blend in seamlessly with others around us who are in the same stage of life.

I still have some vinyl appliqué's that work for Big and soon enough he will be too big or too cool for monograms anyway.

 I love our life and I love the fact that we are different and we have to be creative and adapt to our circumstances. But I'm also human and sometimes I just want to go with the flow. Sometimes I want our choices to be easy and our days to blend flawlessly into one romantic happily ever after but I understand that life doesn't work that way and even though today I may be a bit jealous, I know that this life is precious. I live an awesome life with the coolest kids and most loving husband I could ask for and if having  that means maybe I don't get to monogram the crap out of everything in sight then I think I can deal.

I'll let myself feel the jealousy and touch of sadness for today knowing that it'll pass by tomorrow and we can start another awesome day with this crazy little family.

Note: My husband would like me to note that he has zero problem with this situation . He  believes boys should be in holy jeans, dirty shirts and boots.