"We're Going Streaking!"

New Year's Eve has changed dramatically over the years. I've hosted, and attended, some pretty wild parties in my day. In fact, in university, I remember when it was common for a certain someone to streak down any residential street on New Year's Eve (you know who you are). Someone usually vomited, and I'm guessing this year will be no different.

This year, in true "Amanda" fashion, I'm hosting another wild party. The attendees? A 3-month old, two 10-month olds, a 1-year old, and their parents. Nothing says party like a little pinot noir and Count-with-Me Ernie. Did I mention that the party starts at four o'clock and will likely be over before 8?

The truth is, I wouldn't trade this New Year's Eve for any other. I don't think that any parent would, would they? (I have to admit, my parties are pretty stellar.) It's my first year as a mom, and my daughter has already taught me so much that I feel like I'm entering 2012 a wiser, and hopefully better, person (based on my salary - again, I emphasize, $0/year - I already consider myself a philanthropist)! 

Although "baby brain" has prevented me from remembering a good third of 2011, here are a few things that this year has taught me: I would do absolutely anything for my daughter, anything; people will disappoint you, but you have to get over it and move on; people will also surprise you, and these are the moments you should dwell on; never be too proud to accept help when it's offered; no matter how hard I try, I can't "do it all" and will stop pretending that I can (God it feels good to admit that); it is absolutely unforgivable to put a great parent down to make yourself feel like an even greater parent (unless you're watching Teen Mom, in which case I think it's acceptable?); it's OK to feel ugly because you haven't showered or shaved your legs in days because, from the outside, all your daughter needs to see is your smile to know that she is loved.

Happy New Year friends!

Freelance Editor, Freelance Mom, Explained

I'm not exactly a freelance editor in the traditional sense, not yet anyway. I'm more like that kid from The Sixth Sense, although what I see is much worse than dead people. I see typos, and I see them everywhere: missing-pet posters, construction signs, motel billboards, newspapers, novels, small-business emails, you name it.

I've often referred to myself as an instinctive editor. On one hand, I can't always express why some rules are rules; I just know when something isn't right. On the other hand, I also think it's necessary to throw some of these rules out the window. I'm a bit of a rebel.

I'm also a self-professed freelance mom. Like a freelance anything, I often work from home (but hardly stay at home), I do work in my pajamas (but not always by choice), I set my own hours and pay (for the record, it's 24 hours/day, $0/hour), I have no benefits, and I get to choose who I want to work for. 

Well, I have a new boss now. She's 20 pounds and 30 inches; she has four teeth, a mean scratch, and the sweetest voice you've ever heard. At 10 months old, she's also the youngest boss I've ever had. She's Elizabeth, and she's amazing. 

Although I've been on maternity leave since January 3rd, 2010, yesterday was my last official day as a full-time editor with Oxford University Press and my first official day as a freelance mom. I only hope that after many years of hard work and dedication my new boss will find me as valuable as my old one.