Guest Blogger Series {Natalie of From Corporate to Domestic}

When Mikka asked me to guest post, I was super excited! Not only does she have an awesome blog, but she does everything with style. I'll try to do her justice with my post, but that's some big shoes to fill.

My life has drastically changed in the last year. I went for working full-time professional in the finance industry to now a domestic goddess. Well let's just say I haven't earned that title yet, but I can always get an A for effort, right? My change in positon was due to welcoming my first son, Nolan last October. So now instead of managing adults, I manage a bouncing baby boy. Or maybe it's the other way around and now I'm the one taking the orders.

Transitioning from the workforce to being a SAHM has not been all sunshine and rainbows. I don't fit the "domestic" mold. I'm not extremely crafty or an awesome chef. Granted I cook and the food is edible, and I don't serve the same thing every night but I'm one that always has to follow a recipe. However I love the mothering part of staying home with my little guy. If only the other attributes came that easily...I guess a girl can only dream. So with that background, I'm going to give you my 7 tips to surviving motherhood.

In the summer you can find me drinking a frappuccino, in the fall a pumpkin spice latte, and in the winter a peppermint mocha latte. This extra caffeine helps me make it through the "witching hour." You know the time when your kid has been up and is tired but if he naps he won't go to bed? Yeah you know. So Starbucks understands and will help through this trying time. Now if I don't feel like spending the cash you will find me at home with my coffeemaker. He is equally as important as Starbucks.

It was technically given to him for a Christmas present from his parents, but these days I'm the user of this glorious piece of technology. It's easy to hold if I am breastfeeding or pumping, so I don't have to worry about losing my place or repositioning to read the page. Not to mention the fact that I can read faster on it...and time is precious after you have a kid.

This is a must for any stressed out mom. If it's been a tough week, you should always indulge those little toes in some TLC.

I just started this year, and I am amazed at the friendships I have made. The mommy blogger community is such a supportive and accepting group that I'm proud to have joined. Nothing better than having your fears, thoughts, or experiences validated.

My mother-in-law watches my son almost once every week so that my husband and I can have date night. I think it's so important to work on your marriage, but it's hard to when you've got little ones that need your attention every second of the day. Oh and let's not forget my husband. I'm fortunate to have a very involved husband that loves playing with his little man.

No I'm not a workout nazi, but I do try to keep active. I joined a local mom group called Stroller Strides where you workout with your baby being there. I thought it would just be taking a "stroll." Boy was I wrong! It will kick your butt which is always a good thing. No pain, no gain. I'm also just starting to go walking with my friend once a week and also with the stroller. It's nice to be able to get out but to also have your baby and have adult conversation. I say that's a win/win.

I'm not the best scrapbooker nor do I take the best photos. But I love them! I have completed quite a few photobooks, scrapbooks, and then of course when I am lazy just putting them in a cute photo album. I probably should take a photography class to learn some new things, but I'm not sure if I want to be more than a point and click kind of girl.

Well there's my survival list that's helped me through the past 10 months. I'm sure I'll have to double the list when I have more kids just to survive.

Natalie and her lovely little family.

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Thank you Natalie for sharing your recipe. It's always a pleasure reading other mothers' unique concoction of little things that help them survive the big things. 

Follow Natalie's journey into the mother "force" at her blog, From Corporate to Domestic.

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All images by Natalie.

Art Work by Mikka.