Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! The weekend is upon us! This means many things, but mostly it means I will have a little bit of free time away from the babe to run some errands. I am in need of a new swimsuit for our upcoming trip. So we will see how that turns out. Now onto what I'm loving this week!

One: Crispy M&M's

I went to buy these and accidentally bought the pretzel ones. After contemplating returning them and telling the teller I bought the wrong kind, I broke down and ate the pretzel ones. While they weren't bad, they weren't anywhere near as tasty as the crispy. So, after I ate an entire bag of pretzel m&m's, I went back in search of the crispy and then ate the whole bag of those. I would like to say I had assistance in eating said bags of m&m's. However, I did not. I guess it's okay since I'm feeding two, right? So good. So addictive. In fact, I am going to the grocery store and you better believe a bag or two of these will be in my cart. Go getcha some.

Two: A Good Read

Lately I have had more (down) time on my hands. So, I usually have a babe in one hand and a good book in the other. There is a theme: slowing down and focusing on the things that matter. Both good reads for this "yes" girl. And I just so happen to be related to the author of one of these books...guess you could say I'm a pretty proud daughter.

Three: Pool Time

Today, Abigail and I went to the pool for the first time this summer. While it was short-lived, we had a blast. To survive the hot heat, but still have fun in the sun without getting my little babe burnt, we used this floaty. It is perfection, and I highly recommend it. And in case you are wondering, Abigail looked like a doll in it. I only regret I don't have a picture because because swoon. Next time.

Four: This Song

This song has really spoken to me lately, especially on those days where there are early mornings and lots of tears (perhaps on both our parts). It's a great reminder that this is a special (and important) season. I hope she sees Jesus all over it one day.

Five: Golf

We have started a little tradition of watching golf on the weekends. I have actually really started enjoying the game of golf, mostly because as we sat there every Sunday afternoon watching it, Scott took the time to teach me the game. So, now that I understand it, I really enjoy watching it. In fact, Scott recently asked if I would like a set of clubs. He then proceeded to ask if I would be offended if he bought them used. Normally, I would find it offensive to receive a used gift. However, he had a point. There is a (big) chance that I will play once and never again. So no use in spending a ton of money. But we will see. Recently we went to the Colonial, a golf tournament in our area. In the pouring down rain. With a (then) three month old. We got all kinds of looks. But we had fun.

That's all my favorites for this week! Hope everyone had a great week and has a great weekend!

On Becoming Mommy

It is the point of the day where the house is seemingly quiet. The baby is dreaming and the husband is working away, and all I hear is the hum of the dishwasher. And these days, when all you hear is the dishwasher, that dishwasher is humming a tune. And it is a beautiful thing. It signals the end of a long day and a few moments to myself. And sometimes it makes me want to do a happy dance. And tonight is one of those nights. Mostly because the sound of the dishwasher means the dishes are being washed and those still left on the counter have nowhere to go. So they sit. And I now have an excuse to write because I have to wait for the dishwasher to finish before I can finish my evening tasks. And then I do my happy dance.

I have hesitated writing about becoming a mommy for many reasons, most of which consist of trying to keep my baby alive, fed, happy, and healthy, while also maintaining the housework, errands, and chores. But there is a list of other reasons: fear of what others might think of what I have to say, coming across as yet another opinion on how to mother, and not really knowing what to say. After all, I just started this journey of motherhood four months ago. But tonight, while the dinner dishes are still on the counter and there is a load (or three) of clean clothes to fold, there was a tug on my heart pulling me out to my happy place on the porch to write. So here I am. And now that I have arrived, I am reminded of how much I love this place, the warm summer air on my face, with nothing but thoughts in my mind and the keystrokes at my finger. Pure bliss.

Oh how I have missed writing.... 

They say first-time mothers nest, prepare the nursery, get everything ready, take the birthing class, and by the time that first baby arrives, things are good to go. They say if you do these things, you will "be prepared." 

My water broke at exactly midnight two weeks before my due date. As I got out of bed and began putting last minute items in my hospital bag wondering if these pains were in fact contractions, Scott googled "how to know if your water broke." After about thirty minutes, I decided that these pains were probably contractions and we should probably make our way to the hospital. All the while Scott was still goggling "how to know if your water broke." All in all, I think we nailed the basics of that birthing class, but if I could do it all over again, I might save the $75 and let my husband do the googling because when in doubt you are in labor, the internet is bound to have the answer.

To top it all off, the crib was on backorder, the car seat was delivered earlier that day and thus was not installed (it was more like thrown in the back of the car with the tags still on it), and we had not finalized a name. So basically, we were fully prepared rock-star first time parents.

I would like to say that our lack of preparation was due to the fact that I was incredibly sick most of my pregnancy. While true, it is probably more due to the fact that my husband and I are not the most decisive people on the planet. And for some reason, becoming pregnant and having a baby has made me not so Type A. An attribute I am not complaining about. Maybe it's because babies don't have an agenda. And quite frankly they don't care about yours....so ready or not.....

People say becoming a mom is difficult. And yes, being a mom is not for the faint of heart. However, I have found myself really enjoying being a mom. To my surprise, the transition has gone pretty smooth and motherhood has quickly become one of my greatest joys. 

So, if you ask me if I love being a mom, the answer is yes. If you ask me what it's like, you will have to stay tuned. I plan on unpacking more thoughts on this journey called motherhood and life lately soon because it feels great to be writing again. But for now, the dishwasher has stopped singing and my evening tasks are beckoning me away.

Until next time be blessed.....