I've been in real estate for almost 9 years. Real estate was my passion. I was a workaholic. I took, and still do take, every transaction very personally. I become friends with many of the buyers and sellers. To this day, I get excited for a buyer when they submit an offer and it's accepted. It doesn't matter if it's a $100k condo or a $400k house, the excitement is the same.
Then, 15 months ago, there was a shift...
Two years ago this month, I got pregnant. I didn't know until some time in April that year. Once through the first trimester, I blogged to the world about my pregnancy. I blogged on my birthday that year to announce the sex of the baby. It was a great birthday present to find out on that day.
Then, my water broke, and off to the hospital. Nothing to do except to lay in bed, and the hospital had a wireless connection, so I blogged to the world that I was in the hospital. After Alyssa was born, 9:54 am on November 16, 2007, I was blogging again to announce her name as we didn't have one agreed to until she was almost 2 days old.
Then, I had 4 appointments the week after she was born. Oops, I found out why they want you to take it easy for 6 weeks. It was hard for me to slow down, so I went at about 80% of my usual pace...
Somewhere in between all the cooos and giggles, I realized work wasn't as important as I always thought it was. I now had someone that hung on my every word and I needed to be there for her.
She did start daycare at 10 weeks old so I could work, but I was there for her first giggle, her first laugh, her first rolling over, her first crawl, her first standing up without hands, her first steps, her first words, her first everything... and I love every minute of it! We play hookie every so often and spend the entire day together.
Even though I have other "passions" like wakeboarding and volleyball and anything sports related, my true passion is now being a Mother to my daughter, Alyssa.
These are some pictures of her throughout the year. It was hard to find narrow down to favorites, but these are definitely a good group to show her different personalities.
She is precious and enjoy each day. They grow up in the wink of an eye. I remember Abigail's birth like it was last week and she's going to be 21 in just 4 short months. I have no idea where all that time went.
Donna, you have such a beautiful daughter, and when you are twenty years older, she will be there to help you figure out new technology as it comes along!
There is nothing better than a loving daughter, well maybe a son, but he grows up and gets married to someone else's daughter. Yep, a mothers love is uncomparable to anything else on earth. I have seen it in humans, dogs, cats and horses, Congratulations Donna on becoming a mother! Welcome to the highest award you will ever have.
What a lovely post and your daughter is adorabe! I love the picture of her in the clothes basket on the dryer. Too cute!
She is absolutely beautiful and those pictures really show off her personality! Congratulations on your little bundle of joy. I hope I am as blessed one day and definitely would not miss out on her life for work. Thanks for sharing!
Donna - beautiful post, and it hits home with me as well. She's gorgeous - you've got one great family!
Donna-Wonderful tribute! My little guy is 9 years old and he's the love of my life! It seems like just yesterday (wait is was just yesterday!) he was my sweet baby boy, I still call him that:) Best to you~
Donna,
What a nice way to wind down on a Sunday night! Our business is exciting...but it doesn't come close to the joy that our kids bring. Nice post.
She's a little cutie~! I especially like the last two photos; the laundry basket and the little red Santa suit.
Donna, Alyssa is a GREAT passion (and priority) to have. I am SO HAPPY for you. A child changes everything.
Donna...what a gorgeous little girl! It is so true that we need to make our kids our priority! My clients know that if my kids have games that day, they will see me in t-shirts supporting the team and that I will be there from beginning to end of their game! They dont mind and are really understanding actually! This is a great post!
How darling, keep up the good work with her. She sure has grown.
Donna..she is adorable. We really don't get what matters until we have that first child. My only daughter 27 got married May "08 and I have twin boys 22. From the time they were born they have always been our first priority. We made sure one of us was always there for everything. It makes a difference. We are so close. I Love It!!
Donna, congratulations on your beautiful daughter! Enjoy these moments because they will be gone all to quickly.
Awesome. once you have children I don't understand how anything less then them could be your passion. My kids are my passion too.
Hi Donna, this is a truly wonderful post . Passions shift! She is adorable and "should" I don't like to "should you" HAHAHA! be your passion. Children are precious! Enjoy every minute! Thanks for the great post.
WOW! What a response from everyone...
Tammy, 21? WOW! Have fun with that! I can't believe 15 months have come and gone.
Patricia, Thanks, and I think she's going to be a engineer as she's always trying to figure out how things work, so she'll definitely be teaching me later!
Gail, Thank you, and I've also heard that a daughter is different from a son, but I can't attest to that.
Connie, Thanks, my brother did that when he came to visit... and left her unattended to go get the camera!!
Jenn, Thank you, and you will be when the time is right.
Kim, Thanks!! And your boys are as cute as can be too.
Mary, Thank you, and I bet 9 is a fun age as he's now getting old enough to play more sports.
Hal, Thank you!
Pat, Thanks!
Gary, Thanks, and she definitely changed me!
Tara, That's great that you're upfront with your clients like that. So many people try to hide their personal life from their clients, but it all catches up sooner or later.
Angelia, Thanks!
Debbie, Twins with a 5 year old? I bet your daughter loved that one! That's great you were able to be at all their events.
Zilkia, Thank you. And the time is already going so quickly. Now I see why people have kids that are so close in age...
Missy, I completely agree!! Thanks!
Mary D, I had never thought of her as a "passion" until the Dear Diary challenge as I have other "passions", but realized, as you said, passions shift and I realized she is a passion.
Donna - I can't blame oyu foe playing hookie every so often. My son just turned 9 month and has showed me what is really important in life.
How adorable! We all fall totally in love with our children and that is a wonderful feeling!!!! I can relate, having two young adults of my own!
Robert, I hope you're playing hookie too!
BarbaraJo, Thank you!
Hi Donna - What a cute baby, great training too - help with laundry already! There can't be anything better than our kids! I restarted my career several times because of my kids and my family and I have not regretted one minute of it. They are well worth it.
how wonderful & good for you being able to spend the quality time you both deserve with each other... I have a picture of my daughter in a wash basket too when she was little...she willbe 13 tomorrow & I am wishing she was still a baby, but what a beautful little woman she is becoming...
Keep finding that time to spend with your little and I will spend all the time I can with Emily before she just wants to be dropped off at the mall with friends...
take care, amy
Sylvia, Thank you! And that's great that you have no regrets about anything. I'm hoping I'm in that same boat in 20 years!
Amy, Too bad it was my mom's laundry she was helping with and not mine! LOL! Happy Birthday to your daughter.
Hi Donna... I think that you have your head on straight and your priorities in the right place. So many parents in the world have children and seem to forget that the children then must become their priority. You have demonstrated that you can have it all and still keep your priorities where they belong! Congratulations, and as an aside, the pic of Alyssa modeling her pink coat is too precious!
Donna -- And what a cutie she is! You are so lucky to be there for all those important milestones and smart to have planned how to do less work to be with her more! She looks happy and well-loved. Great job.
Donna- Blogging while you were in the hospital delivering my my :) She's a cutie for sure, and so wonderful that you got to be there for all the important milestones.
Steve, Thank you so much for the touching words. As for that coat, Alyssa is obsessed with being outside, and she thinks that by putting on her hat and coat, that she can go outside whenever she wants. She is always putting them on and either walking to the door, or pointing to the door and windows.
Alexsandra, Thank you very much! I hope she continues to be happy through her teenage years! And I might be working "less", per se, but I'm working smarter!
Kathy, Yes, I was blogging while in the hospital. Here are a couple of links if you're interested.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/275738/BabyHarris-Update-111507-WATER-BROKE-Currently-at-Hospital-in-Labor
http://activerain.com/blogsview/281968/BabyHarris-Update-She-Has-Arrived-and-Finally-Has-a-Name
Donna Way to go! and welcome to the club my feeling exactly, and you do know I have FIVE!!!!!with my little guy born 11/10/2008!!!!
Jesse, THank you, and yes, I know about #5, congrats again!! Good to see you popping in every once in a while.
donna - what a wonderful post you have writen about your daughter. She is adorable. I have photos of my daughter (now 18) about the same age your Alyssa on a boat with a vest on - they grow up so fast!
Donna,
Been there and done that 18 years ago and all I can say is "don't blink". You will be taking her to college before you know it. Enjoy every moment, enjoy having the flexibilty to attend every field trip, school play, etc. I always put my kids activities in my calendar first. When people call and there is a conflict I tell them I have an appt. with my family. Most understand and the ones that don't, I don't want their business. Have fun with Alyssa, real estate will be here when she is grown!
Sharon, Thank you. What's funny when I look at the boat picture is I bought her that vest when she was only 3 months old, and it covered her entire body!! THat's how much she grew in just 6 months after that. She was about 10 months old in this picture.
Cindy, So many people have 18 year olds... there should be a group formed! I haven't had to put kid activities at the top of my list yet, but I'm prepared to put those above client appts. Thanks!
Hello Donna,
Great post and beautiful little girl. It's easy to let work come before everything and everyone, especially when you're so passionate about it. However; when it comes to your children nothing can compare to the feeling and joy you get by spending time with them.
My mentor once told me that balance is key because with this career you will sacrifice something. Spouse, children, friends, spirituality etc....and it's so true. Without balance we are sure to miss out on whatever we are not giving much attention to.
Alyssa is beautiful just like her mom- ALL THE BEST!
Adell
Donna I enjoyed this post so much because it reminded me of ours when they were that age! How are you liking Austin so far? I think you are here? Lake Travis is one of the best school districts in the state and when she is older you will be glad you moved to that area! Best to you and your family!
Donna - You have chosen the best passion! Good for you! Enjoy your daughter while you can, because the time goes by so quickly... :)
She's beautiful! I love the pig tails!!! My daughter-Alyssa is my passion too :) Enjoy her now they grow up so fast my baby girl is 11 :(
Bonnie
Adell, Thank you for the kind words.
Russell, We only chose Bee Cave because of the school district (and low taxes), so it better be "all that"! We're there back and forth, but not permanent yet. If you're reading my relocation stories, you'll know our house is a MESS!
Bonnie, Thank you! Isn't Alyssa a pretty name? Even Mr. Nino stole it for his baby!! (j/k) 11 is a good age. She's still talking to you about everything!
Hi Donna, I have been keeping up, off and on. Construction in the best of cases can be a "trying" experience! I wanted to stop by this morning and tell you I got a laugh out of your tweet about your daughter in the swing. When our son was that age up to almost 4 he loved to swing (and have me push) and one day I thought I would wear him out. 2 1/2 hours ;later I was completely worn out!
Russell, That swing is crazy. She loved it until about 3 weeks ago. Then she would scream whenever we put her in it. We would then put a stuffed animal in it to show her it was ok. She wouldn't go in it again until Monday this week, and since Monday, all she wants to do is swing. She swung for over 2 hours last night and wouldn't even stop for dinner. My child eats EVERYTHING and ALL the time, and for her to shake her head for dinner so she didn't have to get out of the swing, it was funny!
It's amazing to see how the kids grow. 15 months and coming a long ways. Motherhood had changed my perspective... but some days, I really prefer to work. My Boomer is not as easy to take care of.
Loreena, What's been going on with Boomer that you rather work? I've heard from way too many people that boys are "easier" than girls. Sorry to hear things aren't going well all the time.
I can't believe this post was 7 years ago today. Man, time definitely has flown by... Alyssa is now 8 years old!!