TheMainKatie

Single mom of a Teen, 2 cats, and a hyper pup. I drive a Prius. I have naturally curly hair. I am infatuated with food and saving money. I workout some too. I am blessed to have family nearby and believe family is important. You'll notice all types of topics get my attention. I am very random. If you have a suggestion for a post, message me and let me know. Checkout my Amazon storefront: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/home/account/tag/manage?tracking_id=themainkatie-20

Thursday, July 25, 2024

My Little Warrior's First Busted Lip

Yesterday was a tough one for my little adventurer. At just 15 months old, he's always on the move, exploring and discovering the world around him. But sometimes, those little legs don't quite keep up with his curious mind or he inherited my clumsiness. Maybe both.

It happened in a flash. One moment, he was gleefully playing at his activity table, and the next, he tripped and fell right into it. The sharp cry that followed sent my heart racing. I scooped him up and saw the blood on his lip—his first real injury.

As a mom, seeing your baby in pain is one of the hardest things. But in that moment, I had to stay calm. After some gentle cleaning and a lot of cuddles and nursing, the bleeding stopped, and his tears turned into little whimpers.

Throughout the rest of the day, he showed me just how resilient he is. Despite the swollen lip, he was back to his usual self, exploring and playing with a smile. His bravery reminded me of how strong and resilient our little ones are.

This experience was a reminder of the countless firsts that come with raising a child—both the joyful and the challenging. Each bump and bruise is a part of his journey, and as his mom, I'm here to help him through them all.

Today, he's sporting his little battle scar like a true warrior. And while I'm sure this won't be the last of his adventures, I know we'll get through each one together, one step (and tumble) at a time.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

The Exhausting Yet Beautiful Journey of Working Full-Time and Caring for My One Year Old

Working full-time while caring for my almost 16-month-old is an experience that can only be described as both exhausting and profoundly rewarding. The daily routine is a whirlwind of activity, from early morning wake-ups to late-night work catch-ups. Every day is a balancing act, trying to meet the demands of my job while ensuring my little one gets the attention and care he deserves.

The exhaustion is real. There are days when I feel like I’m running on empty, with barely enough time to catch my breath. The constant juggling of tasks—responding to emails, attending meetings, preparing meals, and managing nap times—leaves little room for rest. It's a relentless cycle that often feels overwhelming.

Yet, amidst the fatigue and the endless to-do lists, there are moments of pure joy that make it all worthwhile. The first smile in the morning, the giggles during playtime, and the quiet moments of cuddling remind me of the incredible blessing that motherhood is. These moments are fleeting and precious, and they provide the strength and motivation to keep going.

Balancing a full-time job and caring for a toddler requires a tremendous amount of energy, patience, and resilience. But it also brings an unparalleled sense of fulfillment. Every challenge overcome, every milestone reached, is a testament to the strength and love that define this journey. While the exhaustion is undeniable, so is the profound blessing of watching my child grow and thrive each day.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Just a little goes a long way

I just realized today that the 529 I opened for Nathaniel at birth is still open. I forgot about it after I got busy as a single mom going to school, working, doing homework and housework.

Every month from March until December of 2006 I put $5 a month in it (we were poor poor). In 2007 it received a deposit from Upromise (cash back incentives from shopping). Nothing since.

Today the account that I haven’t personally but anything in since 2006 is worth $289.89.

17 years of just sitting in an account growing with the market.

I wish I had continued to contribute to it because imagine what $5 a month for 17 years would have looked like when $84.28 increased by over 343%.

My point is that 17+ years from now, even saving as little as $5 a month will grow your savings more than not saving anything at all. Whether you save for yourself or your children, you won’t regret putting that $5 away.

*Btw this account was abandoned but he does have another 529 so he will be ok.

If you’re interested in saving for your child with as little as $5 a month we have been using College Backer and highly recommend it. Not only can you set an automatic contribution as as low as $5 a month but you can also invite friends and family to contribute.

For myself, I use Stash to grow my savings. For just yourself it is $3 a month and you can also set an automatic contribution for as low as $5 a month. You can upgrade your account to contribute to an IRA and/or custodial accounts for your children. I also use Robinhood but just for myself. Robinhood has cryptocurrency and options available but you should know these can come with higher risk.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Missing my cousin

Time is a thief while watching a little one grow. However, when mourning a loss, it doesn’t pass quickly enough.

This morning I woke up thinking how my cousin should have been 40 today. I couldn’t help to be overwhelmed by not just what he missed but also what he might have accomplished.

He never got to go to prom.

He never got to graduate high school.

He never got to be engaged or married.

He never got to have his own family.

He never got to be successful.

Passing at 17, changed his family but also his extended family. We will never know what life would have been like with him here these past 23 years.

I wish we could be celebrating this milestone with him. Instead, we are missing him more today than ever.

Happy 40th David. 💔

#forever17

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Baby “Cookies” made from Baby Food

Devon is loving these little bites I made from his Littlle Spoon purée. It was easy to make, they are delicious (I tried them) and they are healthy for him.

This recipe only uses 4 ingredients!

It’s a great way to use up some of the baby food you have left.

1 container of purée (here is Little Spoon ancient grain banana + coconut cream pie)

1 egg

1/4 cup of Gerber Organic Oatmeal

1/4 cup of cheese

Blend and drop in small bites onto a parchment lined pan.

Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.

I only make one tray at a time because he’s only snacking on these. He eats about 2 while I make my coffee and fix our breakfast, 2 while I prep our lunch, and in the evening he has 2 while I prepare dinner. Since these are made with excellent and nutritious ingredients I feel good about giving them before (or after) meals.

#babysnacks #babycookies #pureecookies #cookies #foodforbaby #blw