On Motherhood

Having a little one in the terrible twos can be exhausting.  Take this weekend for example when she spent all of Saturday begging, and I mean begging to go to great grandmas pool to beat the heat.  When we finally loaded up, and delivered on her endless whines by taking her for a quick swim, she proceeded to 'shake' right next to me every single time, leaving me soaked to the bone.  But after almost an hour of diving, I was wet, and she was ready to come home.

This picture was snapped moments before she ran off to the car, only after being sternly reminded three times that no, she could not jump back in the pool.  Seconds before the picture,  I had opened the towel and welcomed her in my arms, and for that second I felt like I 'real' Mom.

I don't mean the word 'real' to sound offensive, because the modern take on Mom can encompass anything and everything, which embrace myself.  To Zoey, I am Mom, and my fiance often references me as Mom when talking to her which I, not so secretly, love.

What I think strikes me most about this picture is, I know it will exist again in my life.  I get that this exact picture won't 'exist again', but the premise of the picture will exist again, which is the feeling I was overwhelmed with.  I am confident that in my lifetime, I will have pictures like this with nieces and nephews, and at some point, my actual child and children.

Bending down to welcome and comfort with a warm embrace, wrapping them up tight to shower them with love demonstrated in that moment in the form of incessant kisses, and smiling so big for the camera that most certainly the lens won't be able to capture warmth and fullness the heart is feeling will happen again.

I'm already a Mom, but someday when my role as 'Mom' has a longer definition and bigger job description, we'll be making memories like the one captured here.  We'll have this moment again together, and that is what makes my heart so full and happy.

I've got lots to be thankful for.

On Babies

The idea of growing a baby is intimidating.  Talk about the actual labor and delivery, and I'm out.  I'm so not cut out for this. Don't get me wrong, I want kids (yes plural) someday, emphasis on the someday.

Clearly she loves FaceTiming with me.

 

In blog world babies are everywhere, it's not until they (babies) start showing up on your Facebook news feed that you'll freak out (right Nadine?).  Mostly because you know that these babies weren't mistakes, they were intentional, planned, not a surprise, which is another indicator that nope, I'm not getting any younger.

 

While the idea of being a Mom still intimidates me, I wonder if the feelings on motherhood every really change? Isn't the whole premise of being a parent intimidating-- being responsible for another life, shaping a personality, leading by example, teaching morals, but mostly keeping them alive, healthy, and happy, this just doesn't sound easy. 

And while there are some days that this seems near impossible for my little mind to process, it's happening all around me. In blogworld every season in baby season, but in real life baby season (for me) is right now.  If it were contagious, I'd have it.  My boyfriends cousin and sister are both due in the next 40 days, my niece is just barley 3 months (and the cutest thing ever), and Andrea is about ready to pop too (call if you need me).

The past two weekends were filled with family and baby showers; words like boppy, Sophie, and Bjorn don't even phase me even more...what is happening?  Insert internal freak out here.  The beauty of all these babies, is the excuse to browse the baby sections at Target, and how much I've been using my sewing machine.  This baby stuff can be so expensive, so I've been making the gifts myself, like this car seat cover I made for Andrea. How To coming soon.

So until I'm ready to be a Mom, I'll just borrow the babies I have around me (soon to be four of 'em)! I'll shop and sew for them, and come back home to my baby (Zoey that is), and drown her in hugs, and loves, and rubs, 'til I'm we're ready for a real one. It'll be a while, I promise.

Moms, Super Powers and Simple Things

I am not sure who else is on board with my theory that Mom's have super powers.

But I am totally 293,204,914% convinced they do.

They also teach you simple things in life that you'll use the rest of your life!!

See that lady, yeah she has SUPER powers!!!
She's also taught me pretty much everything I need to know in life.

Keep It Simple Stupid.
No my wonderful Mother would never use the word stupid, because she is far too kind.  She did however teach me a many simple life lessons that have been critical to shaping my character and have contributed to the success and happiness I have found in my life.

Never to use the word 'hate', it's powerful.
 She's right, it is.

I never used to agree, but now I correct myself when I say hate it, and every time I correct myself, I do a silent Amen to that lady for being so damn darn (she's perfect, she doesn't curse either. I have never in my life heard her say a bad word, ever.  I wish I were lying.) consistent with correcting me when I was little.

Honesty Is the Best Policy

Moms have a six sense, they ALWAYS know when you're lying.
Don't do it.
Besides, like she taught me, honesty is the best policy--always.

Good Things Happen to Good People.

This one can probably be attributed to Mom or Dad, as it's a mantra they've repeated my entire life.  This too also took me a while to realize, but I am a firm believer.

At times, this may not seem to be the case, but stick around; you'll be surprised.

A Thank You Goes A Long Way

Call it what you want it, but this is non-negotiable.

A thank you goes FAR, a snail mail style Thank You probably goes to the moon and back.

And it does, this is coming from Ms. Thank You note queen herself.

Be Happy With What you Have

My Mom could drive the same car for the rest of her life, have the same furniture for the rest of her life, and never buy a new article of clothing and she'd be content.

She appreciates what she has, and I admire her for this, because I do not do this enough.

And what I mean by this, is she sees the bigger picture (I don't think I need to break this down for you guys), what it all means at the end of the day. 
In her words, "I have everything I need, and most everything I want..."

You get farther with Honey than you do with Vinegar and/or

Kill them with Kindness

These two verses were used as synonymy's when I was growing up.

If you don't implement these in your life, you are missing out. 

Start today.

Happy Mothers Day Mom.
Thanks for being such a great role model, teacher, listener, advice giver, and mother.
You da bestest.