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True Life: I’m a Stage Mom

Weekend Recaps

15 Dec

I’m just now recovered from this weekend.

Just. Now.

I’ll attribute some of my exhaustion to staying up way past my bedtime last night, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby P (a huge congratulations to our besties Amanda and Cody on the arrival of their sweet little GIRL!). But in reality, I’m just not cut out to be a stage mom for 48 hours.

Dorothy is usually extremely shy. Like, painfully shy. She has to warm up to new people and places, and will cling to me with her little death grip until she feels safe. She does this with strangers, and sometimes she even does it with her grandparents… who she sees like 4-5 times a week.

So, it’s pretty obvious why I was nervous for Dorothy’s first Christmas program on Friday night. In my mind, this just wasn’t going to go well. We put on her “princess” dress and curled her hair, and hoped for the best.

12359963_10100142192916468_2670551284205327488_n

The place was PACKED. But, I guess if every PDO and preschool student has a seven person entourage like Dorothy… Let’s just say the kids were loved. Dorothy’s class performed first, and her teachers brought them all in using that magical circle rope thing.

My kid waved at strangers all the way down the aisle.

Then, she gets on stage, and literally entertains. Like, she knew all the choreography, she used different expressions… she was a total ham. The crowd loved it. Where did this come from?!

12342339_10100142301134598_8005180691001905682_n

I literally cried. One, because where the hell did my baby go? And two, who knew my kid was such a performer?!

We followed Dorothy’s debut with a family dinner at Pizza Hut, per the toddler’s request. Even with an hour wait for our food, Dorothy was well-behaved and happy.

Like seriously. Who replaced my child?!

—

Shy Dorothy was back on Saturday morning when I took her to visit Santa at the local high school. She managed to whisper, “thank you” when Santa gave her new crayons, but there was absolutely no way she was sitting on his lap.

Yet we still made the local newspaper. She’s going to be a star, that #dbunny.

12360185_10100142786422078_5134267476372067504_n
We visited Daddy at his track meet that afternoon, where Dorothy made friends with another “baby.” A “baby” who happens to be twice her age, and yet a good inch shorter than her. I gave birth to a giant. They bonded over Transformers and Woody, so I would say that it was a successful mini-playdate.

—

Saturday evening was the main event of our weekend – Dorothy’s first dance recital. After her previous night’s performance, I didn’t quite know what to expect.

I’ll just… I’ll just show you.

That, my friends, is Mr. Cotten’s signature move, the #powerstomp. She is 110 percent her father.

Screen Shot 2015-12-15 at 3.15.26 PM

And it’s so. freaking. funny. She’s a natural!

—

Judging by our weekend, I probably should get used to the stage mom / dance mom thing, huh? That kid is going places. 😉

 

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  1. chelsea jacobs says

    December 16, 2015 at 8:17 am

    She looks so cute in that pretty little dress!

    Reply

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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