Dance Dance Dance!

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending Jaydyn's dance recital!

Watching her brings back so many wonderful memories of dancing when I was younger. Recitals were always my most favorite part of the year.  What little girl doesn't love dressing up,  wearing make-up, and getting your hair done?  I cannot wait until Lula Mae is old enough to dance!

Here is a link to part of her performance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf2y0-93jIs

Gigi & Pops

Lula Mae was more interested in Jaydyn's hair..

#blessed

I see ONE, I see TWO...

I see one...

I see two....

TEETH!

We couldn't be more excited!

Here are some more pictures of us playing....

 

 

 

We are one blessed family!

I'm BACK!

WOW.. it's been a super long time since I have blogged. Life as a new mom is wonderful in so many ways. I work my real job 60+ hours/week.. busy is a complete understatement.

Sometimes I feel like my life is consumed by documenting "firsts" and taking pictures of Lula Mae every day.  I feel like I am going to miss out on something if I don't have it documented in her baby book. Plus I have an official 'baby book' but then I feel obligated to write everything on her 'baby's first year calendar' so I am duplicating all of this in several different locations   I don't know if that is my OCD or maybe it's because I relied on my baby book that my mother had filled out for me.  Poor Lula Mae, I've written down every time she blinks, eats, and poops! She'll laugh when she's old enough to read her baby book. 

Lula Mae- 6 months

My days consist of morning feedings, playtime, changing out of our PJ's to pre-school clothes, making bottles, packing our diaper bag, feeding Maggie & Layla, dropping Lula Mae off at her school, and finally heading to work. I have found so much joy by spending time with her in the mornings. It's "our" time & I am so thankful for every minute spent with her.

Countless people have asked me, "What is the hardest thing about being a mom? & What did you least expect?"

I think I've pretty much responded something like, "Being a mom isn't hard. It's the most rewarding job on Earth." 

There are simply no words to describe the feeling of Lula smiling at me or laughing at me when I sing silly songs to her about her daddy.  The way she fusses on her changing table until she is soothed by an emptied container of lotion is what I am accustomed to.  Her morning fussiness before we get to school makes me smile.  This doesn't mean we're having a 'bad day' or that I'm ready to 'pull my hair out'.  There are 'real' problems out there... wars between countries, starving children, jobless parents, & terminal illness just to name a few.  

I think as parents we shouldn't dwell on the small things or assume because we got spit up on our work outfit that our life is in turmoil or that we are having a 'bad day'.   

I am living for today.

My expectations for my daughter are to LIVE and LOVE, put God first, and make the most out of each day.  Life is what we make of it.  There are bad days, let's face it. Us moms are up all night soothing our screaming babes.  We forget to shower on the weekends.. or go out in public having not showered for a few days (I may or may not have done this).  I could go on and on BUT with all of that being said, the word M-O-M-M-Y has defined me, made me a better Christian, wife, step-mom, daughter, nurse practitioner, neighbor, and person. 

If I could give any advice to moms, new and old, I would tell them to simply enjoy every moment. Don't waste your time complaining. Live for today and enjoy every single second with your child. In the blink of my eye, Lula Mae is now 8 1/2 months old.

Seriously, time flies when your having fun!

Are you living for today?

Letters to Lula - Part 2

My Dearest Lula Mae,


This letter has taken an extroidinary time getting itself together. 

I can now see the definition of your elbows as they graze my side.

Your arrival has created so much anticipation for your father and I.

You are beyond loved...

Letters to Lula- 1 Month

My dearest Lula Mae,

My love for you extends beyond the sun, moon, and stars.  It is wider than the circumference of this earth and longer than the nile. 

I am so happy to celebrate your 1 month birthday!

We were doing good until we laid in the grass and then we cried..

Through my daughter's eyes....

Boy O Boy how a baby can change everything. Literally everything.

Isn't it such a good feeling?

 

Everyday I am constantly learning something new about myself.  I have learned that I actually can "do" more as a mom. I know it might sound strange to those who do not have children yet but moms can multi-task so well.  I know our house can become chaotic sometimes when you have 2 large dogs, a 6 year old, a 6 month old (can't believe she's 6 months old), a husband who isn't the most organized male (you get it) BUT in the midst of it all I somehow keep it all together. 

 

I didn't realize how much fun being a mom really was.  Lula Mae is such a ham. She loves to lay on her changing table and eat her toes while giggling.  She thinks its hilarious when the dogs wag their tails. She is sitting up on her own quite well for her age and there is simply nothing that I do not love about her.  The late nights, screaming, temper tantrums, making 10000 bottles each day, poop flying in the air, getting sprayed with pee.. yeah I would do it again in a heart beat! So to those of you that ask, yes we will have more children one day. In the meantime our focus is on raising a beautiful little girl.

 

I also didn't imagine I could be an more emotional.  I know without a doubt that being a mom is the most rewarding role and the largest gift that can be received.

 

I think sometimes in life we chose to focus on life's biggest events. Going to Disney World, financial freedom, weddings, work bonuses, or maybe just the end of the work week, etc. Through my daughters eyes I have learned to enjoy the big things too, although they are not so "BIG". Some of these included her first smile, when she started laughing, she found her feet, sleeping in her crib, holding her bottle, babbling, and sitting up.  The way Lula Mae inspects every toy for minutes or maybe hours. She notices every detail. She appreciates the rubber on the keys and the ribbons on the lions mane.  Life is about the small things. Every detail is made by God for us to enjoy and appreciate.

 

Being a mom has really opened my eyes and has made me appreciate the "smaller" things. 

 

I hope as you begin your day that you will stop and smell the roses.

 

Enjoy LIFE!