Is this thing on?

Tap, tap… um, hello? Is this thing on?

As I was trying to fall asleep the other night, I felt gripped in panic for failing to record what goes on around here. It seemed terribly unfair that these days with two little people may become forgotten sooner than later. What seemed really unfair was that Harper and Tex really won’t remember any of it. These days that are simple and mostly revolve around their needs, will be gone from their memories without their say whatsoever. Days that their parents lived for — watching their tiny people learn new skills almost daily, the littlest things that would result in total delight (or a total meltdown) — will not be retained.

I’m afraid of not being able to remember enough. Harper’s misuse of words that change and evolve too quickly (swim suit was once swim soup, backpack is currently packpack, I’m am for I am, and often times we get “frust-er-ated”), Baby Tex’s heart melting grins — I don’t want to forget any of it. I know that isn’t possible, but I do think I need to try harder.

So, for posterity, below are some things that need to be on record about my small charges:

This Baby…

…has cheeks made of spun sugar and marshmallows. God knew what He was doing with this one. Happy Monday!

 

Letters To My Baby: 002

Dear Harper,

Your two month birthday is just around the corner and wow, what an amazing two months it has been. Your dad and I are starting to get the hang of this parenting thing, at least we think so anyway. I’ve put together a list of things I hope to never forget about these early days with you. This will be an ever-growing list, I am sure of it, but here are some of my favorite things so far:

Let me never forget:

• The warmth and weight of you while napping on my chest, and the way you liked to be folded up tight, like a little frog.
• Your soft-as-down, fuzzy baby hair against my chin.
• The hundreds (thousands) of kisses planted on your teeny head.
• How slow you were to wake up some mornings before nursing and those big, big stretches and yawns.
• How you’d grab onto my fingers with all your might because you were so mad that I dared change your diaper.
• The first times you smiled – being on the receiving end of those smiles felt like winning the lottery, and something tells me that feeling will never, ever go away.

Your dad and I look forward to many more firsts and favorite times with you. You are our world, little girl.

I love you,

Mama

 

Weekend in Review

This weekend was exceptional. It feels like summer is here and, just like every year, I forget I actually love summer until we’re in it. However, check in with me around August and I might have other opinions about the weather. August in Georgia is no joke, friends. Imagine a super-sauna and then crank the humidity up to 1000 and that is what Georgia feels like at summer’s end. But, for now, the weather is swell and let us all soak up our farmers’ tans, grill all our food, and keep our eyes peeled for the perfect baby sun hat. Maybe the last one only applies to me, but it sure is a cute accessory necessity we can all think about for a moment. Something like this or this (to coordinate with mama) is at the top of my list for my teeny girl.

Also of note, my dear, sweet baby slept 7.5 hours Friday and Saturday night… and Pal and I got to do the same! What a beautiful gift (and one I will never take for granted).

On Sunday Harper got to experience her first cookout. A few of us went to our friends’ house and enjoyed delicious food in the great outdoors. It doesn’t take much more than a back porch and a nice breeze to make me happy this time of year and, judging from the picture below, my kid feels the same. It was glorious – steak, veggies, corn muffins from heaven, and blueberry crumble with extra Cool Whip. Harps napped through dinner and this mama said a million thank yous.

If I can make requests, as I am wont to do, I’d like for every weekend to feel a lot like this past one. So, consider my request formally logged and sent out into the universe.

Lastly, I leave you with this:

“I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.” – Mrs. George

So Much To Say

…and yet, there seems to be very little time and/or brain power to get the words out. But, here we are, nearly 8 weeks in and my dear girl gets more perfect each and every day.

Motherhood has changed me in some of the best ways in my very short tenure as a mama. It has helped me gain patience (which I desperately needed), allowed me to be more kind and forgiving towards myself, and shown me that maybe I don’t need 9 hours of sleep a night (I do, but I’ll take what I can get.).

Motherhood has also given me the ability to feel much more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have. Maybe it’s a shift in perspective, maybe it’s just me getting older, or maybe I have just enough energy to care about what really matters. Whatever it is, I am grateful and happy for it.

 

 

4 Weeks In

4 weeks… somehow it’s already been 4 weeks since our little bean made her way into the world. 4 weeks that have been amazing, challenging, incredible, exhausting, and filled with growth for all three of us. I feel like I’m starting to fall into my new role as a mother and I love it beyond measure. There is still so much to learn, but I am ready to take in all I can.

Your mom and dad love you so much, Harper Anne. Thank you for being you – perfect, beautiful, fascinating you.

A Delightfully Smashing Evening

Last night, some lady friends, myself, and our pups got together for a fabulously British evening. There were Union Jacks a-plenty, Downton Abbey marmalade and clotted cream to top our scones, a crunchier take on fish ‘n chips, and what …

Letters To My Baby: 001

Dear Harper,

This weekend was a busy one spent getting ready for you. The nursery is looking pretty with its fresh coat of paint (Marshmallow Whip for the walls, and yes, the name swayed me considerably) and squeaky clean carpets – thanks to your Lala and Billy!

While your dad and Billy were working on the carpets, Lala and I went through all your new and new-to-us baby clothes. Laundry has never been this fun… or really fun at all. But, seeing all the teeny tiny outfits that you will soon get to wear (and spit up on), kept me grinning from ear to ear. You are going to be one stylish lady.

Even after our busy afternoon, your dad found the time to put your crib together! Seeing that sweet little crib in your room was the cherry on top of the entire day. It’s really starting to feel like your room now and I can’t wait to walk in there and see you in it. Your nursery has quickly become my favorite room in the house and watching it all come together is pretty magical.

We love you so much, little one. See you in 8 weeks (or so)!

xo,

Mama

It’s a…

…and oh boy are we excited! (Hold on to your hats, this one might be a gusher.)

We found out last Thursday and I swear to you, it’s still all I can think about. I had no idea how nervous I would be going into the appointment, but I was a mess. The opportunity to get to know this person just a little better was, and still is, so incredibly exciting to me. Our ultrasound specialist saved the gender reveal for last, which made the rest of the appointment some kind of torture. And while I am grateful to check up on the rest of baby, I was slowly dying inside when the next thing she did wasn’t the big reveal.

But alas, now we know and we can call her by name. Thinking of baby as my daughter makes my heart beat a little faster and puts and instant smile on my face. I love to imagine what she’ll look like (please have your dad’s hair!) and wonder which traits she’ll inherit from each of us.

Baby girl is also kicking up a storm these days. Not powerful enough for Pal to feel yet, but I think we’ll be there soon. 🙂

Hey, Baby!

You want to know what is hard? Taking a photo of le bebe bump, or at least a photo that makes baby look true to size… not too big, not too small. The Goldilocks of bump photos, if you will. So I tried, and truth be told, felt foolish the entire time.

But, onto other bump-y things. Pregnancy right now is fun. I have energy, I have learned to cope with much less brain power, I look pregnant (not just chubby), and am not yet to the point of being uncomfortable. We’re winning over here!

Other pregnancy updates:

• Baby’s kicking! The tiniest, barely there somethings, but it is a very real something. Talk about falling in love all over again.
• We are one week away from knowing whether our Baby G is a he or she. The suspense is torture!
• We have names! Boy or girl, we are set.
• My appetite tapered off there for a couple weeks, but second breakfast is back in full force. Also, everything I eat is “The best thing I ever ate”. It’s kind of nice because I never expect my level of satisfaction to surpass where we were at the previous meal, but alas, we do.

That’s all we have for now. Happy pre-Friday!