Month 8

As expected, you’ve changed. When does this stop? When will I wake up in the morning and you’ll be the same baby as the day before? Will I even recognize you tomorrow? Whatever you do, wherever you go, I’ll always know you by your spirit.  As much as I wish babies came equipped with a pause button (maybe even a fast forward button at times), I find myself so submerged in each stage you enter.  I can’t get enough of your intuitiveness and perceptions of the world around you. Summer is a whole new world for you. You’ve learned this world is far more than four walls and a ceiling.  Your mind is limitless and you are so captivated by the new outdoor surroundings.  I feel like I’m depriving you of valuable experiences if we stay inside too long.  We are starting a whole new chapter, dare I say a new book, and watching your eyes light up with every fresh experience delights my heart more than I can say.  Here’s your month Bird, it was immeasurable, unsurpassed, but mostly unbelievable.

•  You had some serious diaper rash, which is where I learned the power of butt-paste and Aquaphor.
• Aquaphor also doubles as some extraordinary lip gloss. Don’t judge, just try it.
• Morning routine: wake up, pull moms hair, climb over mom, yell for dogs, encourage dogs to jump on bed, play with dogs on bed, eat smear breakfast, share breakfast with dogs, play with dogs on floor, nap…sometimes with the dogs. Repeat.
• Two things in this world get you so excited that your arms and legs flail uncontrollably; Daddy coming home and hearing Nana’s voice on the phone. You. Go. Crazy.
• You’ve discovered the laundry room, and in the laundry room is the boys’ food and water. And the doggie door.
• You discovered the doggie door. …and the dog water… and the dog food. Which you ate.
• You pooped out your first inedible object. Part of a fake flowers.
• We went swimming in the hot-tub. You were butt-naked. I dunked you and you giggled. Nana didn’t like the dunking, so I signed her up for swimming lessons with you.
• Oh ya, you start swimming lessons next month.  I also bought you a bathing suit. Now you have three. You’re seven months old and you have three bathing suits. I have a problem.
• The first time I put sunscreen on you, Daddy said you smelled like “Lagoon”.
• You’re a biker babe. We go on a bike ride most every day. You have a baby seat, a helmet, and a smile. The boys are jealous of your seat, but you just giggle at them as they run next to you.
• I melt every time I watch your Daddy rock you to sleep.
• Grandma and Grandpa tell you every day how adorable you are.
• Next month will be an adventure…you’re about to walk.

Unbelievable

My mother has always told me that I wouldn’t be able to understand her love for me until I had a child of my own. Impossible, I would say, knowing that my love and adoration for her was equal. Having seven months of motherhood tucked under my belt, I realize now how deep a mother’s love truly runs. In the days after Lilly’s birth, my Mom and I would spend evenings just staring at her, spellbound by love and with words so far out of reach.  I’ve spend my entire life watching my mom; studying her, learning from her mistakes, and capturing her strong will. At times I’ve resisted so much of her determination and dedication to motherhood; pushing when I should have been pulling and falling only when she tried to help me climb. But here I am…with a daughter of my own, who is bound to test her own limits and fly without wings.  I am so grateful for the footsteps I have to lead my way.  Ask me what it means to be a mom and I’ll tell you it is an unbelievable experience; so unbelievable that there aren’t any words to describe its beauty, fulfillment, or joy. Ask me what it means to be the daughter of my mom and I’ll tell you the same.    

My very first Mother’s Day wasn’t short of perfection.  Bird spent all morning in the kitchen cooking breakfast in bed for me, and in the days before she picked out the most beautiful gift at my favorite boutique. She even cleaned the house while the {fur}boys put away laundry and Brent did the dishes. And then, all together they took me on a picnic to our favorite park with lunch from my favorite restaurant. And to finish out the day, Bird promised to entertain daddy while I planted in the garden and wrote a blog or two. As for the boys; they chose to help dig in the garden.  Happy day for this Momma. 

The Boys Are Back In Town

Remember when this entire blog revolved around two little fur boys and their adventures? And then it seemed to suddenly shift focus elsewhere.  But it’s not what you’re thinking.  They didn't get booted because the Bird took center stage, we didn't love them any less since her arrival, and they certainly haven’t stopped being the center of attention.  Their absence can be attributed to good behavior.  No drowning pugs, no runaway heelers, and no more midnight barking jam sessions. But fear not; the boys are about to make their big comeback. 

We moved to the country for one main reason; the abolishment of all laws doggy. Unfortunately, that isn't the case and somehow our boys seemed to find their way straight into trouble. But you know how the saying goes; every dog has his day in court, except the names appearing on the court dockets we’re that of yours truly.  Zip and Tank found their way into the neighbor’s chicken coop and ruffled a few feathers. No chickens were hurt in the midst of their gallivanting but it was just enough to send out the big guns and summon us to appear in front of a Judge for the crime of the century.  Yadda, yadda, yadda, we ended up not having to appear and instead were told to provide proof that we built a fence, which was well in the plans anyway. It took a phone call to pop and one expensive trip to Home Depot and voilà, we now have a back yard. 

Let me paint you a picture of my property.  A house, a porch, a driveway, various types of fences, and rocks. Lots of rocks.  No grass, no trees, no flowers, not a shrub insight.  That was so last week.  My charming little house got a makeover last September and now it’s on to landscaping.  Aside from the creation of a backyard, we've tilled up all the land and are planting grass, building a back deck, enlarging the front porch, adding landscaping, oh and this weekend we created and planted an entire garden.  I live in God’s country and it’s about time our little piece started looking like it. I LOVE where we live, the home we've created, and the people I get to share my life with.  So grateful for a hardworking and loving husband, a chirping little bird, a willing and giving mom and pop and the best neighbors/in-laws a girl could ask for. Oh, and some boys who are now forever forced to walk the line. Sorry guys, but I’m going to say it…I have a damn perfect life.