Reflecting on my year and Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving was, as always, a wonderful time for us.  I remember last thanksgiving being anxious wondering if I may be pregnant.  Wow, how time flies!  It makes me think of everything that's happened to me (and to this family) in the last year...  We found out we were pregnant, I taught middle school religion while I watched my waistline expand beyond all expectation, dealt with morning sickness, ate lots of potatoes and chocolate shakes, went to numerous appointments, unsucessfully tried to keep my ankles from becoming beach balls, walked around the neighborhood listening to "faster, stronger" by kanye in anticipation of being in better shape for labor, going through labor and delivery (life-changing), days in the hospital full of challenges with jaundice, breastfeeding, possible infection prompting monitors, IVs and a lumbar pucture for a 2 day old son; then came going to the pediatric urologist and waking up for night feedings. 

I'm most thankful this year for the life that God has shared with me.  Me of all people has been given the gift of this little person, this little soul that needs cared for and taught- a little one that needs love and has love to give.  I am ever saying those words that came to me in a prayerful way at 4am Aug 6th when the nurses brought Benjamin to me to snuggle because his temp wasn't going back up...  I rested in the hospital bed with Joe's sleepy breathing coming from the corner and the dawn light softly illuminating the twin spires of the Cathedral outside my window, and most of all the feeling of the warm little body moving ever so softly and steadily on my chest with tiny breaths... I couldn't help but just keep repeating.. "Who am I that God should give you to me?"

Home again, home again, jiggety jig...

Phew, it's been awhile since I've posted!  Benjamin and I took quite the vacation to my parents' house this past weekend.  Being that I "stay at home" now I can travel on Thurs and Mon. when the roads are free and the sun is out.  It gets me max time with my family.  I'm there when they come home from work, stay for the weekend and then leave after they leave for work.  I'm blessed to be able to make the trip so often! 

This past visit also included time with my grandmother which is always wonderful.  She is such an example to me.  She's always told me that I'm special... that's something that many people may say, but one look at grandma when she's saying that to you eye-to-eye and you know she truly means it.  Her faith and prayers has been and continues to be a source of inspiration and support.  If I'm half the grandma that she is when I'm a grandma I'll be happy.

You know what, as I typed the above paragraph I started to realize that I could say the same thing about my Nana too.  Her faith is also deep and integral to her life as well as something that makes me admire her.  My gosh I am blessed with amazing women in my life!!! 

Halloween 2010

Trick or Treat!

Don't you wish you could have this happy little Tiger on your doorstep? This one comes with a pacifier :)
Obviously Joe is a Zookeeper and I am the Tiger Trainer.  Dressing up in cute and clever costumes and seeing all the neighbor kids in one night are my 2 favorite things about Halloween.  The dark and scary stuff need not be a part of our day.  We got to spend ours with Joe's family socializing and eating great food.  Then we handed out candy when we got home and I watched part of the Addams family marathon as usual.  (and by usual I mean, that's what happened last year)




Three months old!

We've come a long way from this:



8-6-10

To this:

11-4-10

What have I learned in 3 months?  This vocation of motherhood is going to be an exhilarating ride, albeit difficult at times.  I'm doing my best to enjoy having one baby right now seeing as how I feel like if God graces us with more children the difficulty rating will go up with each one.  Right now my difficulties are, "he's awake already," "this shirt's got spit up on it too," and "Joe, it's 4am will you please help me with the poopy mess our son has become." 
Sometimes I feel like my time spent teacher jr. high was extremely beneficial in preparing me for this job- the need for endless patience, the knowledge that I'm not in total control, the need for a loving and compassionate heart even when I'm tired, flexibility, and I could probably go on... any teacher-moms concur???

It's a me... Benjamin!

Custom made onesies anyone?  See my crafty sister-in-law!  This is just one of many tees that Benjamin received and wears all the time.  Do not fear, Halloween pics coming very soon!