My cousin posted this on her blog, and even though mine isn't public like hers, it has really made me think. So here's my letter to my 16 year old self...
Dear 16-year-old Laura,
Some trees can grow their roots more than 16 feet deep. Your roots are much deeper than that. Always remember what made you who you are, even the negative. Those negative moments will allow you to grow much more than the positive.
Roots branch off into many different directions. So will your life. But they are connected to a tree that will stay rooted. The tree will change. It will become scarred. Some years it will bloom and other years, it won't. But always remember, the tree will always be there because of those roots. Come back to it once in awhile.
Some trees grow more than 100 feet tall. They sprout branches that thicken with time. So will your skin. You will weather storms that you may not feel you will survive. But eventually, the sun will come out to heal the wounds. Remember that there's always tomorrow. And it can't possibly be any worse than today.
Some trees have a lot of branches. Some trees, only a few. Whatever the number of friends you have in your life, the ones that are closest to the trunk are the strongest. Those bonds are hard to break, even after several years of silence. Keep those bonds with those people, whoever they may be. They are the ones that helped shape you, helped you to grow, and eventually, will protect you when you need it the most.
Keep yourself rooted in what is important. Because your roots are where it all began. That's what's most important.
Much love,
30-year-old Laura
Friday, February 1, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
8 Months and A New Year...
As I write this, I am in Decorah at an Honor Choir. I am staying at the Cooley-Whitney Inn, and if whoever if reading this is every in Decorah, I recommend it! It's a beautiful place.
But back to the reason I'm writing in the first place. I went to Wal-Mart tonight to grab some food, just as the sun was going down. And once I came back out, it was dark and snowflakes were just beginning to lay themselves on the ground.
It was incredibly magical and transforming. All of a sudden, I was in a parking lot surrounding by huge snowflakes. It was so eerily similar to the movies, where the snowflakes are big and wafting down out of nowhere, I couldn't help but stand in awe for a few moments, taking it in.
It was beautiful. And I couldn't help to be thankful that at that moment, on this day that I have officially left my 20's behind, my life is completely different from what it was only 5 years ago. Even though, tonight, I am in the exact same place.
5 years ago, I was in the second semester of my first real, "grown-up" job. I was at this same honor choir, in this same town, however I stayed at a different Bed and Breakfast. However, that B and B had the same magical, charming feeling that this one does. It was still decorated for Christmas, it was still snowing, and I was stressed out. I worked hard for my students, and they rewarded me this weekend, 5 years ago with a birthday cake.
5 years ago, I was concentrated on my job, my career, and how I wanted to people to know me in my profession. I lost touch with friends because I threw myself at my job and my students, sacrificing time with my husband and my friends. 5 years ago, one of my very best friends told me that she felt like she called and called and called me, but I never called her back. So I vowed to change it. And I did.
4 years ago, I was back at this honor choir. Staying at another B and B. Again, my students bought me a cake and I ate it while taking a bubble bath in my room. It was glorious. 4 years ago, a blizzard moved in and I had to leave the honor choir early. I remember grabbing my students, taking one to her scholarship audition and then leaving. The blizzard was moving in quickly, and by the time we got on the road, the visibility was worsening. So how did I handle that crisis? Called my dad. My dad told me to drive south first to get out of the path of the storm, since it wasn't slated to hit the Des Moines area. He told me what roads to take and off-and-on, I was on the phone with him, or my student was texting him back and forth. That was the second to last time I ever talked to my dad. When we were about to hang up, he wished me a happy birthday and told me he loved me. A few weeks later, he called me to tell me to throw hot water in the air outside, being that it was -24 degrees, and watch the water freeze in the air. I told him it was a stupid idea. I was tired, stressed out about my job, trying to catch up on the day we had off from school because it was so bitterly cold, and didn't want to mess with something so childish and stupid. There is not one day of my life that I don't regret that phone call. A few weeks later, he died.
3 years ago, I was, again, here in Decorah, staying at the same Bed and Breakfast I had stayed at my first year here. It was, again, my birthday weekend, and true to form, my students bought me a birthday cake. I was dreading the upcoming anniversary of my dad's death and trying to continue holding it together both mentally and physically, even thought it had been almost a year. I was depressed, losing weight and trying to also battle the fight for my career, which was being jeopardized by a disgruntled student. I was stressed out, but happy to just have a weekend to relax.
2 years ago, I found myself in a different job. I was 10 pounds lighter from stress and hardly ever eating. I was hosting a show choir competition and having to look in the faces of co-workers who despised me, although I had done nothing wrong. Co-workers who were conspiring against me. Co-workers who I thought were my friends. I was still reeling from my dad's death. Rather than neck-deep, I was now only knee-deep in what my counselor called, "Post-traumatic stress disorder." Or when you finally come to grips with the fact that someone traumatized you that badly, you call it PTSD. It's slang for "pretty fucked up." I was just coming out of a deep depression, on anti-anxiety meds, hardly sleeping, wearing a size 6 pant and a hole in my heart.
A year ago, I was at home, in my yoga pants and maternity shirt, anticipating the arrival of my baby boy. We were getting the nursery put together, I was really starting to show, and I was happy with my mediocre job. It didn't necessarily give me happiness, but I was happy with the low-key, non-stress job that allowed me to concentrate on my pregnancy. I was going to be a mom!
And now, here I am. Thinking about how far my life has come in just 5 years. Life from here, looks much different than life did from there. I have a baby boy, who is my entire life. I have an incredibly happy marriage, with one of the most loyal, kind-hearted, simple people I have ever met. Every day, he makes me laugh, smile, or angry. Usually, more of the former than the latter, but either way, I love him wholly and deeply.
Today, I was driving my high school senior to this honor choir, and my mom called to wish me a happy birthday. We talked about a myriad of things, but the last part of our conversation turned to my dad. When we hung up, I thought about this honor choir 4 years ago, and the blizzard. And I put myself on auto-pilot and thought about how my students surprised me with a cake, and how I ate it in a bubble bath, of all places! When I tuned back into the road, out of nowhere a bald eagle swept down right in front of my car, and proceeded to do it's dips and dives over a bare field. It was beautiful and I started to cry. I felt so stupid because here I was, driving down the road, with my student sleeping in my passenger seat. Luckily she was sleeping!
I couldn't help but feel that was my dad. It was incredible. We saw another eagle alongside the road, eating something. At that point, my student was awake and I asked her if she had ever seen a bald eagle before. She said she hadn't, and then exclaimed how cool it was to see one that close up. I almost laughed out loud, wanting so badly to tell her that was my dad. Just like he always showed me things I had never seen before, he was showing her too. I can't wait for him to show James in these same ways that make me laugh.
And now, as the snow leaves it's crystal mark on the world tonight, I'm thinking about my son. My beautiful, beautiful baby boy. With his toothy smile and huge baby blues. And as I leave my 20's behind, I can honestly say that, for the first time in a long while, I am truly happy with my life. Which is not a perspective I have had before. I am happy with what I have, not necessarily getting what I want. I am thankful for everything, including a loving husband, and beautiful, perfect baby boy and a wonderful life. I have truly been blessed.
Saying hello to my 30's was daunting, but now that I'm here, this day has allowed me to reflect on my 20's. Someone once told me your 20's, you spend trying to figure things out. Your 30's is where you finally do. And I would have to agree with that.
Hello, 30.
But back to the reason I'm writing in the first place. I went to Wal-Mart tonight to grab some food, just as the sun was going down. And once I came back out, it was dark and snowflakes were just beginning to lay themselves on the ground.
It was incredibly magical and transforming. All of a sudden, I was in a parking lot surrounding by huge snowflakes. It was so eerily similar to the movies, where the snowflakes are big and wafting down out of nowhere, I couldn't help but stand in awe for a few moments, taking it in.
It was beautiful. And I couldn't help to be thankful that at that moment, on this day that I have officially left my 20's behind, my life is completely different from what it was only 5 years ago. Even though, tonight, I am in the exact same place.
5 years ago, I was in the second semester of my first real, "grown-up" job. I was at this same honor choir, in this same town, however I stayed at a different Bed and Breakfast. However, that B and B had the same magical, charming feeling that this one does. It was still decorated for Christmas, it was still snowing, and I was stressed out. I worked hard for my students, and they rewarded me this weekend, 5 years ago with a birthday cake.
5 years ago, I was concentrated on my job, my career, and how I wanted to people to know me in my profession. I lost touch with friends because I threw myself at my job and my students, sacrificing time with my husband and my friends. 5 years ago, one of my very best friends told me that she felt like she called and called and called me, but I never called her back. So I vowed to change it. And I did.
4 years ago, I was back at this honor choir. Staying at another B and B. Again, my students bought me a cake and I ate it while taking a bubble bath in my room. It was glorious. 4 years ago, a blizzard moved in and I had to leave the honor choir early. I remember grabbing my students, taking one to her scholarship audition and then leaving. The blizzard was moving in quickly, and by the time we got on the road, the visibility was worsening. So how did I handle that crisis? Called my dad. My dad told me to drive south first to get out of the path of the storm, since it wasn't slated to hit the Des Moines area. He told me what roads to take and off-and-on, I was on the phone with him, or my student was texting him back and forth. That was the second to last time I ever talked to my dad. When we were about to hang up, he wished me a happy birthday and told me he loved me. A few weeks later, he called me to tell me to throw hot water in the air outside, being that it was -24 degrees, and watch the water freeze in the air. I told him it was a stupid idea. I was tired, stressed out about my job, trying to catch up on the day we had off from school because it was so bitterly cold, and didn't want to mess with something so childish and stupid. There is not one day of my life that I don't regret that phone call. A few weeks later, he died.
3 years ago, I was, again, here in Decorah, staying at the same Bed and Breakfast I had stayed at my first year here. It was, again, my birthday weekend, and true to form, my students bought me a birthday cake. I was dreading the upcoming anniversary of my dad's death and trying to continue holding it together both mentally and physically, even thought it had been almost a year. I was depressed, losing weight and trying to also battle the fight for my career, which was being jeopardized by a disgruntled student. I was stressed out, but happy to just have a weekend to relax.
2 years ago, I found myself in a different job. I was 10 pounds lighter from stress and hardly ever eating. I was hosting a show choir competition and having to look in the faces of co-workers who despised me, although I had done nothing wrong. Co-workers who were conspiring against me. Co-workers who I thought were my friends. I was still reeling from my dad's death. Rather than neck-deep, I was now only knee-deep in what my counselor called, "Post-traumatic stress disorder." Or when you finally come to grips with the fact that someone traumatized you that badly, you call it PTSD. It's slang for "pretty fucked up." I was just coming out of a deep depression, on anti-anxiety meds, hardly sleeping, wearing a size 6 pant and a hole in my heart.
A year ago, I was at home, in my yoga pants and maternity shirt, anticipating the arrival of my baby boy. We were getting the nursery put together, I was really starting to show, and I was happy with my mediocre job. It didn't necessarily give me happiness, but I was happy with the low-key, non-stress job that allowed me to concentrate on my pregnancy. I was going to be a mom!
And now, here I am. Thinking about how far my life has come in just 5 years. Life from here, looks much different than life did from there. I have a baby boy, who is my entire life. I have an incredibly happy marriage, with one of the most loyal, kind-hearted, simple people I have ever met. Every day, he makes me laugh, smile, or angry. Usually, more of the former than the latter, but either way, I love him wholly and deeply.
Today, I was driving my high school senior to this honor choir, and my mom called to wish me a happy birthday. We talked about a myriad of things, but the last part of our conversation turned to my dad. When we hung up, I thought about this honor choir 4 years ago, and the blizzard. And I put myself on auto-pilot and thought about how my students surprised me with a cake, and how I ate it in a bubble bath, of all places! When I tuned back into the road, out of nowhere a bald eagle swept down right in front of my car, and proceeded to do it's dips and dives over a bare field. It was beautiful and I started to cry. I felt so stupid because here I was, driving down the road, with my student sleeping in my passenger seat. Luckily she was sleeping!
I couldn't help but feel that was my dad. It was incredible. We saw another eagle alongside the road, eating something. At that point, my student was awake and I asked her if she had ever seen a bald eagle before. She said she hadn't, and then exclaimed how cool it was to see one that close up. I almost laughed out loud, wanting so badly to tell her that was my dad. Just like he always showed me things I had never seen before, he was showing her too. I can't wait for him to show James in these same ways that make me laugh.
And now, as the snow leaves it's crystal mark on the world tonight, I'm thinking about my son. My beautiful, beautiful baby boy. With his toothy smile and huge baby blues. And as I leave my 20's behind, I can honestly say that, for the first time in a long while, I am truly happy with my life. Which is not a perspective I have had before. I am happy with what I have, not necessarily getting what I want. I am thankful for everything, including a loving husband, and beautiful, perfect baby boy and a wonderful life. I have truly been blessed.
Saying hello to my 30's was daunting, but now that I'm here, this day has allowed me to reflect on my 20's. Someone once told me your 20's, you spend trying to figure things out. Your 30's is where you finally do. And I would have to agree with that.
Hello, 30.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
7 Months!
Holy buckets, I feel like the more you start to move forward, the more I fall behind!
We had our first winter storm of the season, starting last night. I was so excited on Tuesday night for it I went and bought you snow boots that are going to be way too big. But we got a hand-me-down snowsuit and I couldn't help it. I want to take you out in this at some point! I had a snow day today, so we were able to spend a lot of time together, although the whole house as come down with the flu at some point this week, so it was more or less just laying around together. But it was still a good time.
In this last month, you have begun doing so much more - you have eaten plenty of solids, that's for sure. You love peaches and bananas (when you're feeling good), and you're really starting to enjoy sweet potatoes. You like acorn squash and I'm pretty sure you hate peas. HATE peas. We haven't tried green beans, but that is next on the list. As is apple. I guess you've had strawberries at the sitter's house, which I didn't know you could have, and you loved that as well. Not to mention your standard oatmeal and formula bottle! But all in all, you're starting to eat, in your high chair, like a champ.
You've also started crawling. I thought for sure you would be crawling by Christmas, and I might still be right, but you're definitely army crawling at a high rate of speed. I took a phone call tonight (the phone call telling me that school is also cancelled tomorrow - yippee!) and you were across the room after 30 seconds. It seemed like a split second you were on the floor at one end of the room and at the end of my 30 second phone call, you were at the other, banging on the printer (for the thirtieth time today)!
You've also started having more of a schedule. You rise when the sun comes up, you go down about 9 a.m. for a nap. You are up at 11, ready to eat and play and eat again, then down again for a nap about 2. You wake up at 4 and then down at 6. Up at 8 for a little bit more play and some food, then down by 9-9:30. It's pretty snazzy and works into our schedule pretty well.
You really love it when your daddy sings you Elvis. More specifically, "I'm in love (HUH), I'm all shook up!" It's adorable to watch your reaction. My song for you is, "You're the one that I want! You are the one, singin' oh oh oh! The one I need, oh yes, indeed!" It's so much fun to dance with you and sing to you and play with you. You react so animatedly to everything we do, it's so much fun.
I never knew that being a mom would be so much fun, but I'm loving it more and more every day. Even the horrible, smelly, poopy diapers, the tantrums and the difficult nights. You're everything I've ever wanted and more. I love you James Thomas!
We had our first winter storm of the season, starting last night. I was so excited on Tuesday night for it I went and bought you snow boots that are going to be way too big. But we got a hand-me-down snowsuit and I couldn't help it. I want to take you out in this at some point! I had a snow day today, so we were able to spend a lot of time together, although the whole house as come down with the flu at some point this week, so it was more or less just laying around together. But it was still a good time.
In this last month, you have begun doing so much more - you have eaten plenty of solids, that's for sure. You love peaches and bananas (when you're feeling good), and you're really starting to enjoy sweet potatoes. You like acorn squash and I'm pretty sure you hate peas. HATE peas. We haven't tried green beans, but that is next on the list. As is apple. I guess you've had strawberries at the sitter's house, which I didn't know you could have, and you loved that as well. Not to mention your standard oatmeal and formula bottle! But all in all, you're starting to eat, in your high chair, like a champ.
You've also started crawling. I thought for sure you would be crawling by Christmas, and I might still be right, but you're definitely army crawling at a high rate of speed. I took a phone call tonight (the phone call telling me that school is also cancelled tomorrow - yippee!) and you were across the room after 30 seconds. It seemed like a split second you were on the floor at one end of the room and at the end of my 30 second phone call, you were at the other, banging on the printer (for the thirtieth time today)!
You've also started having more of a schedule. You rise when the sun comes up, you go down about 9 a.m. for a nap. You are up at 11, ready to eat and play and eat again, then down again for a nap about 2. You wake up at 4 and then down at 6. Up at 8 for a little bit more play and some food, then down by 9-9:30. It's pretty snazzy and works into our schedule pretty well.
You really love it when your daddy sings you Elvis. More specifically, "I'm in love (HUH), I'm all shook up!" It's adorable to watch your reaction. My song for you is, "You're the one that I want! You are the one, singin' oh oh oh! The one I need, oh yes, indeed!" It's so much fun to dance with you and sing to you and play with you. You react so animatedly to everything we do, it's so much fun.
I never knew that being a mom would be so much fun, but I'm loving it more and more every day. Even the horrible, smelly, poopy diapers, the tantrums and the difficult nights. You're everything I've ever wanted and more. I love you James Thomas!
Friday, November 16, 2012
6 Months!
Each monthly blog post can be summarized by the following:
2 months: "Holy cow, you turned 2 months old this week. My how time has flown by."
3 months: "I cannot believe you are three months old!!! It's been a crazy whirlwind, but I'm so thankful it exists."
4 months: "How is it possible that it's been FOUR MONTHS since you were born?"
5 months: "Well well well, look who's FIVE MONTHS OLD! Where is time going?"
And guess what?
6 months: "I can't believe you're already a half-year old!"
And you're doing so many new things! You're starting to prop yourself up on your elbow and play with toys. You're starting to figure out that if you move your arms and legs, sometimes together, you can move. Usually, it's a backward movement. But still, it's awesome. You're rolling all over the place. You've become fascinated by Kinnick! It's so funny to watch! When he walks by, you follow him with your whole head. When he sits and looks at you, you smile back at him. It's hilarious.
You've started solid foods. Crazy to think about, but we've only done mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. But you seem pretty content with sweet potatoes. Sometimes, though, you just want a bottle.
Your diapers have gotten more smelly, your smiles have gotten bigger and your giggle even more like a little boy's. What an amazing feeling it is to see you grow up. Even more amazing to be able to put you on the floor with some toys and get some sh!t done in the kitchen! :)
I love you, James Thomas!
2 months: "Holy cow, you turned 2 months old this week. My how time has flown by."
3 months: "I cannot believe you are three months old!!! It's been a crazy whirlwind, but I'm so thankful it exists."
4 months: "How is it possible that it's been FOUR MONTHS since you were born?"
5 months: "Well well well, look who's FIVE MONTHS OLD! Where is time going?"
And guess what?
6 months: "I can't believe you're already a half-year old!"
And you're doing so many new things! You're starting to prop yourself up on your elbow and play with toys. You're starting to figure out that if you move your arms and legs, sometimes together, you can move. Usually, it's a backward movement. But still, it's awesome. You're rolling all over the place. You've become fascinated by Kinnick! It's so funny to watch! When he walks by, you follow him with your whole head. When he sits and looks at you, you smile back at him. It's hilarious.
You've started solid foods. Crazy to think about, but we've only done mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. But you seem pretty content with sweet potatoes. Sometimes, though, you just want a bottle.
Your diapers have gotten more smelly, your smiles have gotten bigger and your giggle even more like a little boy's. What an amazing feeling it is to see you grow up. Even more amazing to be able to put you on the floor with some toys and get some sh!t done in the kitchen! :)
I love you, James Thomas!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
5 Months!
Well well well, look who's FIVE MONTHS OLD! Where is time going?
We have graduated from breast milk to formula to adding rice cereal to the formula to oatmeal to your first pureed foods. Crazy how fast things change in the course of a month!
You're starting to understand that if you wiggle back and forth while on your tummy on the floor, you just might get somewhere. Other times, you don't get anywhere. Just this weekend, you were able to sit up on your own. Granted, there were a few times where you fell over, but I can tell you prefer to be sitting up rather than laying down. I think the activity mat has limited entertainment minutes left...
You are starting to "dive" for things - sitting on my lap, you want something, so you dive for it. Sometimes it throws me off, most times I expect it.
You have officially outgrown the sink, so baths are now in the bathtub, which I hate! I don't want you to grow up too fast, but I can't wait until I can give you a washcloth and tell you to scrub under your own armpits! The other day, I just put you in your bumbo and put you in the shower with me. You seemed to enjoy it and when I moved so the stream of water hit you, you lapped at the water. It was hilarious! I think I got most of your parts clean!
All of a sudden, you started being too big for your typical outfits and we've had to break out others. Beyond that, we've had to break out warmer ones too, as the weather is turning. It's crazy to think about, but you're growing up so fast.
In other news, I started to tell you about your Grandpa Tom today. It was the first day that I could talk about him without breaking down in tears. You were looking up, like you normally do, and I'm guessing it was at him. So I asked if you were looking at someone tall. You looked at me, smiled, and then looked back to where you were before. And laughed. It had to be my dad. So I started to tell you about him.
You being able to see him might seem completely crazy to anyone who hasn't lost anyone. But for those who have, I know they would completely understand. I swear, some days it's as if you are talking with him. You laugh and smile at absolutely nothing. But you're always looking up. I can even see the face my dad is making at you - the typical one that he always made to babies that he was holding. I hope I never forget that image. I hope you can keep "talking" with him as you get older. He was an incredibly special person, and so much fun to be around.
Happy 5 months my little man. Mama loves you!!!
We have graduated from breast milk to formula to adding rice cereal to the formula to oatmeal to your first pureed foods. Crazy how fast things change in the course of a month!
You're starting to understand that if you wiggle back and forth while on your tummy on the floor, you just might get somewhere. Other times, you don't get anywhere. Just this weekend, you were able to sit up on your own. Granted, there were a few times where you fell over, but I can tell you prefer to be sitting up rather than laying down. I think the activity mat has limited entertainment minutes left...
You are starting to "dive" for things - sitting on my lap, you want something, so you dive for it. Sometimes it throws me off, most times I expect it.
You have officially outgrown the sink, so baths are now in the bathtub, which I hate! I don't want you to grow up too fast, but I can't wait until I can give you a washcloth and tell you to scrub under your own armpits! The other day, I just put you in your bumbo and put you in the shower with me. You seemed to enjoy it and when I moved so the stream of water hit you, you lapped at the water. It was hilarious! I think I got most of your parts clean!
All of a sudden, you started being too big for your typical outfits and we've had to break out others. Beyond that, we've had to break out warmer ones too, as the weather is turning. It's crazy to think about, but you're growing up so fast.
In other news, I started to tell you about your Grandpa Tom today. It was the first day that I could talk about him without breaking down in tears. You were looking up, like you normally do, and I'm guessing it was at him. So I asked if you were looking at someone tall. You looked at me, smiled, and then looked back to where you were before. And laughed. It had to be my dad. So I started to tell you about him.
You being able to see him might seem completely crazy to anyone who hasn't lost anyone. But for those who have, I know they would completely understand. I swear, some days it's as if you are talking with him. You laugh and smile at absolutely nothing. But you're always looking up. I can even see the face my dad is making at you - the typical one that he always made to babies that he was holding. I hope I never forget that image. I hope you can keep "talking" with him as you get older. He was an incredibly special person, and so much fun to be around.
Happy 5 months my little man. Mama loves you!!!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
4 months!
How is it possible that it's been FOUR MONTHS since you were born?
Currently, you are sitting with you dad in the circular chair in our living room while he feeds you a mixture of rice cereal and formula in a bottle.
Every day, you make a new noise. Every day there is something we notice that is different about it. It's so crazy how we thought things were going so quickly. It's no joke that now things are moving quickly! I swear every day I go to say goodbye to you in your crib, you are different in some way.
Last week, you rolled over! You should have seen me cheering you on! It was so much fun to watch, although you haven't done it since. I can tell, though, that you are trying!!!
There are so many people I have yet to introduce you to! It's so crazy to think that I haven't even had the time to get back home to see even more people! Fortunately, you were able to meet almost all of Grandpa Tom's brothers and sisters, sans one, at a wedding a few weeks ago. You were a huge hit, and it was so much fun to introduce you. You were such a good baby and so many people couldn't get enough of you!!!
Otherwise, your dad and I are falling into a routine. It's been difficult at times, it's been incredibly heart-warming at times, and there are times where we want to kill each other. As one friend told us once, you aren't married until you have a kid. Truly married.
I wish you would stay this little, but then I would be missing out on the wonderful person you will become. I know you will make mistakes, I know we will have difficult times, but I know in the end, we will raise you to be a good person, who makes wise choices and works hard. I can't wait to see the person, the man, that you become!
I love you, booger!
Currently, you are sitting with you dad in the circular chair in our living room while he feeds you a mixture of rice cereal and formula in a bottle.
Every day, you make a new noise. Every day there is something we notice that is different about it. It's so crazy how we thought things were going so quickly. It's no joke that now things are moving quickly! I swear every day I go to say goodbye to you in your crib, you are different in some way.
Last week, you rolled over! You should have seen me cheering you on! It was so much fun to watch, although you haven't done it since. I can tell, though, that you are trying!!!
There are so many people I have yet to introduce you to! It's so crazy to think that I haven't even had the time to get back home to see even more people! Fortunately, you were able to meet almost all of Grandpa Tom's brothers and sisters, sans one, at a wedding a few weeks ago. You were a huge hit, and it was so much fun to introduce you. You were such a good baby and so many people couldn't get enough of you!!!
Otherwise, your dad and I are falling into a routine. It's been difficult at times, it's been incredibly heart-warming at times, and there are times where we want to kill each other. As one friend told us once, you aren't married until you have a kid. Truly married.
I wish you would stay this little, but then I would be missing out on the wonderful person you will become. I know you will make mistakes, I know we will have difficult times, but I know in the end, we will raise you to be a good person, who makes wise choices and works hard. I can't wait to see the person, the man, that you become!
I love you, booger!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
3 Months!
I cannot believe you are three months old!!! It's been a crazy whirlwind, but I'm so thankful it exists.
You have changed so much in the three months we've had you home. You are starting to laugh!!! It's more like coughing while you're smiling, but I'm pretty sure that constitutes a laugh!!!
I want to write down all the things I remember that were so cute that you're growing out of, because it seems to be going so quickly!!!
First off, I remember when we brought you home and you would make this "O" face! You'd pucker your lips into an "oooo" really tight, and then look around. It was absolutely too adorable and I wish I had a video of it or at least a photo, as I think you've grown out of it. And it makes me sad that I will never see that cute little face again!
I also remember when we would lay you down anywhere, changing table or otherwise, and you would "startle." You'd throw your little hands and arms above your head and have a furrowed look on your brow. It was the most adorable thing ever!! You rarely do that anymore, and I can see you're growing out of that too!
You used to take naps on the ottoman and we would lose you under the blankets and clothes. Now, you fit perfectly on the ottoman, and you're so LONG! I think you're going to be pretty tall!
It's so funny to keep putting the same clothes on you only to see what you are starting to genuinely grow out of. Sure, as a newborn, you weren't really in newborn clothes that long, but we also didn't have very many newborn clothes. So now that you're growing out of those 0-3 month clothes, it makes my heart a little sad to see so many of my "favorite" outfits not fit you anymore.
Lastly, it's so funny to see how big you're getting in your car seat. Gone is the head rest we used for you as a newborn. Soon, we'll need to buy a new baby seat for you to fit in.
Until then, I'm cherishing these memories. You're so special to me. I love you so much!
You have changed so much in the three months we've had you home. You are starting to laugh!!! It's more like coughing while you're smiling, but I'm pretty sure that constitutes a laugh!!!
I want to write down all the things I remember that were so cute that you're growing out of, because it seems to be going so quickly!!!
First off, I remember when we brought you home and you would make this "O" face! You'd pucker your lips into an "oooo" really tight, and then look around. It was absolutely too adorable and I wish I had a video of it or at least a photo, as I think you've grown out of it. And it makes me sad that I will never see that cute little face again!
I also remember when we would lay you down anywhere, changing table or otherwise, and you would "startle." You'd throw your little hands and arms above your head and have a furrowed look on your brow. It was the most adorable thing ever!! You rarely do that anymore, and I can see you're growing out of that too!
You used to take naps on the ottoman and we would lose you under the blankets and clothes. Now, you fit perfectly on the ottoman, and you're so LONG! I think you're going to be pretty tall!
It's so funny to keep putting the same clothes on you only to see what you are starting to genuinely grow out of. Sure, as a newborn, you weren't really in newborn clothes that long, but we also didn't have very many newborn clothes. So now that you're growing out of those 0-3 month clothes, it makes my heart a little sad to see so many of my "favorite" outfits not fit you anymore.
Lastly, it's so funny to see how big you're getting in your car seat. Gone is the head rest we used for you as a newborn. Soon, we'll need to buy a new baby seat for you to fit in.
Until then, I'm cherishing these memories. You're so special to me. I love you so much!
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