Does She Know I'm Mommy?

For the longest time, I always wondered if Baby C knew I was her mommy.  I worried because I didn't get to bond with her in her first few weeks of life, the way  I wish I could have.  There are a series of events that led me to think this way.

After giving birth to Baby C, I was unable to hold her and make that skin to skin contact.  Though I was very happy that she bonded with her daddy, I had to endure the pain of receiving stitches.  Maybe that's why she says Dada and not Mama. (Insert smile and wink here.)

We didn't get the chance to succeed at breastfeeding.  And boy did I try with all my heart.  Three weeks after giving birth, we both became sick and were separated from each other for a week.  I tried to pump and dump a couple of times, in hopes that I would be able to secure my supply, but I was just too exhausted and warn out.  In the end, I knew it was best for me to get as much rest as I could so that I could take care of my baby once we both returned home.

When I was released from the hospital, I still wasn't feeling well.  The pain medicine I was given made me extremely tired.  So I was either in pain or drowsy.  I only had enough energy to visit my daughter for a a few hours a day at her hospital.  Not only did this make me feel incredibly guilty, but I continued to lose out on bonding with her.

Visiting Baby C for the first time after leaving my hospital

When she first came home from the hospital (the second time), she often screamed and cried at night.  You know, that lovely witching hour.  And no matter what I did, I couldn't comfort her.  I kept thinking, I'm her mommy, I should know what to do and how to soothe her.

Well, Baby C is almost nine months old now and I think she knows I'm mommy.  I am blessed to be able to stay home with her, watch her reach her milestones for the very first time, and change her stinky diapers.  Though we had a rough start with bonding, we have really grown close in the last few months.

I love you Baby C and I'm proud to be your mommy!

Colors of the Rainbow

A few weeks ago, as we walked home from the park, my husband captured this beautiful rainbow on camera.  I love it!  A rainbow, to me, is a sign of hope.  It comes after the storm.  

When we go through trials and tribulations, we often say, "when it rains, it pours."  It seems like when one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong.  But there is always a rainbow, hope, after the storm.

"Like the appearance of a RAINBOW in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord . . . " (Ezekiel 1:26-28)

Kids are Funny Friday ~ Week 3 ~

Baby C thinks the baby doll is hilarious!  

And Baby C's laugh is super contagious!

I linked up with The Adventures of Mommyhaha!

First Day Jitters

Many parents are dropping their children off at school for the very first time this week.  Parents or kids and sometimes even both, are very nervous.  Many questions may run through mom and dad's minds.  Did I choose the right school? Is the teacher the right fit for my child?  Did I prepare my baby well enough for this big day?  And a million other questions.

When I was a teacher, I remember parents dropping off their little ones.  The hardest was when the child was crying and the mom didn't want to leave a sad kiddo behind.  As a teacher, I reassured mom that their baby was in good hands and that once they left, it would be easier for their child to get acquainted.  And the child will learn that mom and dad are returning soon.

In my experience, the child eventually stopped crying, started interacting with new friends, and really enjoyed themselves.  And then mom would return to a happy child.  The cycle usually repeated itself for the first week or so.

Back then, I wasn't a parent.  And I promised myself I would never be that mom.  I would be brave, encourage my baby, give a big hug and promise to be back soon.  Then I would walk away and blow kisses good-bye.  Back then, I didn't really understand how difficult it could be.  I didn't know what it was really like to be a mommy.  Back then, I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much.

My baby girl is only 8, almost 9 months old.  So I'm not quite worried about her first day of school yet.  (Okay, I admit it, I'm worried.)  But this past Sunday, I dropped Baby C off in childcare at church for the very first time.  This was the first time she was with a stranger.  The first time she has been surrounded by people we didn't know.  And I experienced the first day jitters.

I guess this was a baby step to her big, first day of school.  I was only down the hall, only left her for an hour and I had a personal number that would pop up on the screen if anything was wrong.  And when we returned to pick her up, she was as happy as could be.  The nursery worker was holding and playing with her.  The nursery worker also told me how much fun Baby C had.  I was a proud mommy!  Proud of myself and proud of her.

To all the moms and dads out there, leaving their baby at school (or the nursery) for the first time, best of luck!  You can do it!

God Bless Our Kids!

We pray for God's protection, As our children go to school.
Help them to remember To obey the Golden Rule.

As they pledge their allegiance May they understand,
The stars and stripes are symbols Of God's blessing on our land.

We ask for good direction. Guide them as they grow.
When they face temptation Give them power to say, "No!"

Give us strength, as parents, To be what we should be.
There is nothing more important Than a healthy family tree.

~~Written by Peter Enns ©2002

Trip to the Zoo

This weekend, our family took a trip to the local zoo.  This was Baby C's first time.  Even though she didn't understand that we were supposed to be checking out the animals, (not the thousands of other kids in strollers all around us) she still had a good time.

And we're off!

It was a beautiful, sunny day.  But we wished it would of been a little bit cooler. 

Zebra

We saw all sorts of animals, including fish, monkeys, snakes, and animals I had never even heard of.

Baby C checks out the giraffe behind me

The bird exhibit was very stinky. Probably from the poop. 

My favorite exhibit was the gorillas and monkeys.  They came in all sizes.  Some were so tiny they could fit in the palm of my hand.  Others were three times my size.

By the time we got to the end, near the elephants, we were all ready to go home.

Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Author - Albert Schweitzer

Kids are Funny Friday ~ Week 2~

I'm linking up with Mommyhaha today for Kids are Funny Friday!  Do your kids say the funniest things?  Then go link up too!

Baby C says, "Da Da Da" and "Ba Ba Ba" often!  So this past week, I have been trying to get her to say, "Ma Ma" and give me kisses.  She's getting the kissing thing down pat, but whenever I ask her to say Ma Ma, she blows raspberries at me.  What a stinker!

Fun with Camera

Baby C loves the camera!

Kids are Funny Friday

Baby C can't talk yet, but I thought this was funny enough to share!

I linked up with The Adventures of MommyHaha this week for Kids are Funny Friday.  You can too!

Look Who Is 8 Months Old!

I can't believe Baby C is 8 months old already.  I feel like I just wrote her 7 month old post.  Where has the time gone?  In the past month, Baby C has grown in so many ways.

She is now sitting up all by herself.

She has mastered getting up on her hands and knees, but hasn't figured out how to crawl on them.  She prefers to drag herself across the floor.

She has 2 teeth growing in on the bottom.

New foods she has tried include avocados, sweet potatoes and peaches.  She also likes sweet potato mixed in her oatmeal.

She loves taking a stroll to the park down the street and swinging on the playground.

Since we no longer have a big pool in our backyard, Grandma and Pop Pop sent a pool just for her.

She has the most beautiful laugh.

Happy 8 months to my sweet Baby C!

Take a Hike!

I had never been on a hike before, until I met my husband.  We have hiked, biked and skied many different mountains in Colorado.  This past weekend, we went to Boulder for a little hike.  Okay, so it was more than a little hike.  It was 3 miles and it took us 2 hours.  This seemed like it was going to be easy, but I also had an almost 18 pound baby on my back most of the hike.  Baby C loved it!  She even took a little snooze on me.

I started out excited and ready to go!  I was looking forward to being outdoors and getting some exercise.

Daddy helped us stay hydrated.

We stopped to have lunch and took a couple pictures.

And here is when I began to get tired.

After a very long and hilly hike, we finally approached the end.  I was exhausted!  I almost didn't think I would make it.

Thank you, God, for this beautiful day!

What are some of your favorite weekend activities?

Joys of a Playground

Her Daddy's Eyes

Whenever Baby C and I are out, I almost always get a compliment about her eyes.  It's one of the first things most people notice about her.  She has her Daddy's eyes.  They are big, round and defined.  They are beautiful.

Even before Baby C was born, I wanted her to have her Daddy's eyes.  And God created them . . . perfectly, just for her.

They are eyes that will make you smile from ear to ear.  I don't know what it is, but there is something special in those eyes.

Baby C and I were separated for 5 days when she was less then a month old.  When I was finally able to hold her in my arms again, she had changed so much.  In just five days, she looked completely different to me.  In fact, I was about to ask if they were sure it was my baby.  Then I looked into her eyes.  I knew it was her.

Let's just hope she doesn't get her daddy's astigmatism.

A Special Visitor and a Giveaway

Not too long ago, I read a story about a mommy and her son and their journey to beat the health issues they were confronted with.  Check out her amazing story here.  As I shared our story with her, she asked me if I would like to have a special visitor come to our home and play with my little miracle.  You are just one CLICK away from reading our full story and seeing who our special visitor was.

Head on over to Joseph Allen Designs to not only read our story, but there is a weekly giveaway just for leaving a comment.  Check out the sidebar at Joseph Allen Designs for more details.  Easy Peasy!

I hope you enjoy our family miracle!