March 28, 2009

Fun Things Do Happen....

I am so excited! I won a free session and digital photos from Megan Papworth, an up and coming photographer who threw together a little give away...and I WON! Her work is amazing and I'm so excited to have her shoot my new little family.

Her above photos are some of my favorites...

Thanks again Megan!

March 24, 2009

This Bites.

Today when I went to pick Harrison up from the nursery at our health club, I encountered an upset baby. He is usually so jovial and happy when I get him, so I figured he must be hungry. Then the person in charge {who was holding Harrison and comforting him} told me that a little 1 year old boy had just bit him.

I burst into tears. I wasn't prepared to feel such sadness at the idea of someone hurting my little Harrison, and me not being right there to protect him.

He was totally fine and it didn't even break the skin, but I could see little teeth marks on his teeny, tiny index finger. Everyone was very sweet and apologetic at the nursery, which really is an exceptional place to bring a baby. I cried the whole way home as I told the story to J. and my mom. We got home and I opened the back door to get Harrison's car seat...he was smiling and giggling away. I haven't stopped kissing or hugging him all day long, and I know this is the first of many similar situations.

Now, I just have to teach him to bite back.

March 23, 2009

You Reap What You Sow...

My mom always tells me that you reap what you sow in this life. She was a single mom who was my primary caretaker, while also working as a teacher. She has told me that there were many nights when she came home, made me dinner, helped with my homework then walked up the stairs exhausted thinking, "you reap what you sow..."

Being a child, I didn't quite appreciate all that she was doing for me. But now that I am a mother, my heart practically explodes with appreciation. She was always there, consistent in her punishments, worked hard to provide for me and took me to a zillion doctors until one of them agreed to remove my tonsils. Those of you who know my mother's past and childhood, know how even more incredible she truly is.

She is now cashing in on her hard work. She is one of my best friends and I admire her more than I ever thought possible. She respects me and the life I'm creating, therefore has carte blanche access to her grandson.

Motherhood is amazing...but it takes a lot of work that gets hidden in the everyday. I love being Harrison's mom, but some days when I'm exhausted and he won't quit...I cry on the couch...and remember you reap what you sow.

It will all come back to me someday.

March 13, 2009

Springing Back...


I love Spring and all the flowers it produces, but my allergies have been killing me lately. My sinuses are one of my "weak" areas and always act up when my immune system gets low. Therefore, this week I've been tired and busy {I hate that combination}.

I've been busy...

  • Sleep training my baby to be on a schedule and comfort himself {basically listen to him cry for 20 min. while I sit in the other room crying...it must be done}.

  • Trying to "spring clean" and get rid of stuff that is unnecessary in my life.

  • Laundry, laundry, laundry.

  • Reading books.

  • Back to the gym this week {I finally worked up the courage to take H. to the nursery}.

  • Attend my parenting group and learn about social/emotional development...and try not to screw up.

  • Developing new friendships with moms like me.

  • Buying every allergy/cold medicine out there.

  • Dinners with family members and lunch with friends.

  • Giving Harrison raspberries on his belly and watching him laugh hysterically.

Here's to a happy weekend.

March 4, 2009

Today I Felt Like a Mother...

Harrison and I attended a playgroup today, and we lined up the babies on the couch to see their growth from the last time. Once everyone was in position and the bulbs starting flashing, my sweet baby looked for me in the crowd of moms. When he couldn't find me, he starting crying uncontrollably. I found myself waving my hands and saying "here I am!" but it didn't help...the crying continued. I excused myself through the photographers and picked my little peanut up and held him close. He had tears streaming down his face and it all stopped as soon as he knew I was near.

I officially felt like a mom...and the feeling was euphoric.

Last March I found out I was pregnant. Now it seems like nothing short of a miracle that I have this adorable baby to hang out with all day. {This coming the day after he was up every few hours in the night and drove me crazy...it's not all a bed of roses...but definitely a bouquet}.


March 3, 2009

Gratitude.

I'm loving life for these reasons...


1. I'm finally over having strep throat {yuck, yuck, yuck}.


2. My friend Tricia is having a boy! He and Harrison will be such good friends.


3. Watching The Bachelor make a fool of himself, and appreciating my sweet husband even more.


4. All the good books piled up next to my bed for me to read while my little one naps.


5. The abundance of flowers blooming in the backyard....spring is so pretty.


March 2, 2009

Couch Time.

We got our new couch this weekend and we are all loving it! It's like a big cloud in the middle of the room. It's the perfect lounge around on and talk for hours kind of sofa.

My 3 1/2 month old son has taken after his mother and is obsessed with TV...can't you see the glare in his eyes? Some mothers might find this obnoxious, but I figure it's helping him learn vocabulary....so whatever.