God chose you

My husband likes to send me things throughout the day. Sometimes they are funny vine videos or memes or interesting articles. Then there are those times he sends a video or article that catches me off guard and sends me into full on meltdown mode.

He sent me this video today... Grab a tissue mommas

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uyWADizqtHk&feature=youtu.be

Garth Brooks sings "Mom"

What a sweet song! I hope that's the conversation God had with our sweet boy. I hope he always knows that our love for him is endless. 

Something else to take away... You were chosen for your child. So when you think you've got it all wrong, when you feel like nothing your doing is right, or when you feel like you have no idea what to do next... Remember that God made you a momma to your child(ren)...biological or foster or adopted or unofficial or however you're a "parent", God chose you for that person (little or big, brand new or grown). If you're waiting for God to choose you, keep praying.... He has someone or a few little someones lined up for you! 

PS- He is also our instructor and the bible is our instruction book. Oh and Google.... Google is helpful! 

PSS- I think my husband likes to make me cry! 

Have a love filled weekend! 

Cracking the Baby Code: Lesson 1

I was texting a good friend, also a first time mom, and I had an "Ah-ha!" moment...

G and I couldn't figure out what the deal was with Baby G. One night he was really fussy, it didn't last long (seemed like hours but was really only 10 minutes) and the next night was ok. But then it happened again the third night and the crying lasted a little longer and again the fourth and, well, you get the picture... What had happened to our perfect little sleeper baby?!? 

We tried everything we could and came up with every reason possible to justifiy this uncharacteristic behavior. I just knew I had him figured out already so there must be a reason for the fussiness. Right?!?! 

It happened around the same time each night. The crying wasn't inconsolable but it was exhausting for all three of us. It wasn't colic, it wasn't reflux, it wasn't hunger... After a few nights of guessing and trying different things, I reached out to a few people... I was at a loss. 

Then the "ah-ha!" moment came. 

There isn't a formula for babies. There isn't a "this" plus or minus "this" equals "no more crying" or "happy baby"... Sometimes they just cry. Sometimes they are overstimulated. (And did you know that overstimulation can be just having the tv on, being held too much or looking out the window too long... Who knew?!?!) And sometimes they are tired. Turns out there is something called the "witching hour" and that's precisely what's been going on. 

As alert as our little bundle of goodness may be, he still requires lots of sleep. Allowing him to be awake is all fine and dandy until the "witching hour" when it all comes crashing down in a big, crying, red faced, back arching mess. Thankfully it isn't colic and he still sleeps through the night (except to eat) but man is the "witching hour" rough. 

Today he has taken his appropriate naps and has gone back to the little sleepyheaded newborn we are used to! Until about 3 months, I think we will be doing all we can to keep him this way. Makes for a much happier baby, momma and daddy. 

But in the mean time, and even after the 3 month mark, I have to keep reminding myself that there isn't a formula and that babies have moods just like adults. Maybe I should have renamed this- there isn't a code to be cracked...There are going to be days where I have no idea what the heck is going on and others where it seems like I'm doing everything right. And as much as I love looking at our son's big beautiful eyes, those peepers need to be shut more often than not. Sleep is fuel for baby's healthy growth and the key ingredient to mommy's sanity. 

One day at a time! 

New Mom Thoughts

I'm the mother of a beautiful little boy 

That thought hits me sporadically throughout our busy days of eating, sleeping and diaper changing.

Thank God he is an easy baby. He sleeps well and eats well and I'm so thankful I'm able to breast feed.

But...

The crying thing is real, by the way, hormones are an evil, crazy thing. However, this parenting thing is scary and overwhelming. He relies on us for everything. Not to freak out anyone who is considering procreating. I'm assured the crying stops and eventually the hormones even back out, allowing me to return to some state of normalcy. I have credible sources- other moms. Some thoughts - many confessed to my husband during a crying spell

1. The overwhelming feeling to protect him from everything 

2. How frightened I am that he will get sick or hurt in anyway 

3. How lost I would be without my husband and his ability to deal with my crazy better than I can

4. What would I do if I lost one of them- don't watch sad movies or this will be hard to get out of your head

5. The difficulty of the demands of breastfeeding - I know why women don't breastfeed now

6. Trying to decipher a cry and understand the baby 

7.  I can't believe what we made, a perfect, beautiful little person- a miracle 

8. How lucky I am to have a husband and friends and family who love and support me and this tiny being. 

9. I just want to be the best mom, wife and friend I can be

10. How crazy it is to love two people so much... More than you ever knew - I mean, my boobs grew but my heart definitely did too. I feel like the Grinch on Christmas Day! 

I'm here to remind myself and anyone else that needs it, to take one day at a time. Cherish each moment of your life and those in it. Don't worry about the future. Live for today... God tells us tomorrow isn't promised so there's reason enough to listen. 

To all the new and veteran mommas... Keep up the good work. You're the perfect mom for your kids. Trust that. 

Now... Back to loving on my sweet new baby. Oh and changing his diaper :) 

The Big Nursery Reveal

The moment all (maybe not all, but some) of you have been waiting for... Baby G's nursery reveal!!!

Fully equipped with diapers, diaper station, toy storage, dog gate, growth chart, bookshelf, couch for mom and dad, play rug and convertible crib! 

We wanted it to be something he could grow with, not something we would have to change in a year. It's sophisticated, slightly nautical and most importantly - a nice balance of baby and chic. Cool greys and deep blues with hints of red... it's a pretty peaceful space. The best part is, we had a lot of this furniture already. The big purchases were the storage unit and crib. I redid the dresser, it was mine growing up, and we had the couch! My dad built the bookshelf - very thankful for that. Our favorite part is probably the rug. We make everyone who comes over take off their shoes to feel how incredibly soft it is. I imagine lots of play time on that carpet!

All we need now is the baby!!! 

Enjoy!  (Special thanks to G for taking the pictures... he is proud!)

Adventures in Pregnancy - Week 35

So at 35 weeks pregnant, I'm realizing everyday that, for many things, it may be my last for a while.

I know I have 5 weeks to go and thankfully I'm not bed ridden or immobile by any means but this is what I mean... Several times I have caught myself thinking, "The next time I do this we will have a baby" LIKE...
- My last hair appointment
- Our first and probably my last time to go sailing for a while (but maybe not!)
- Scheduling the dog's last groomer appointment for later this month
- Our last baseball game
- Our last outing to a certain restaurant
- Etc...

Then there is the list of things planned that I realize are AFTER baby arrives and I think, "When the time comes for said event, the baby will be here!"
- The oil change on my car....exciting
- Halloween
- Holidays and planning where we will be
- The neighborhood fishing tournament
- Work projects
- Etc.

But still, 5 weeks seems like such a long time. So I look forward to little milestones to help pass the time like, the next doctor appointment, when my parents will be able to visit next, an event we are going to with my in-laws, work meetings/events.

This was a successful Labor Day weekend. This time 2 years ago I was in Corpus Christi. I met a lot of G's friends that weekend, went to a concert at concrete street, and spent Sunday at the ski canals where G announced to everyone that I was his "girl". This time 1 year ago we were married and had just purchased our new mattress and bed frame. How thankful I am for that bed frame!!! I sleep so well because we can raise it up like a hospital bed! This year the weekend was rainy but today was nice. We went for our first sailboat ride on my FIL's sailboat. We also spent the weekend running errands, putting together baby G's crib, and finally we hung things on our bedroom walls. My how times have changed... but my how much sweeter these moments are becoming. Thankfully there was no actual "labor" happening this Labor Day.

I'm pretty nervous about going into labor, no lie. I know I was made to do this and I was blessed and called to be little man's momma...but delivering a child is pretty frightening for someone who has never done it before. Also when everyone's experiences are SO incredibly different, it's hard to know what to anticipate. We are both incredibly excited, though. Every day closer to 10/8/14 is another potential Labor Day for us!

Happy Labor Day (I can't believe it's already September!)