.jpg)
.JPG)
Happy 30th Birthday to the World's Greatest Godmother-- My Lollie!
I love you,
Campbell
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Lucky Girls!
Campbell and I are 2 lucky girls! RJ is such a wonderful father. He loves Campbell so much and it shows in everything he does. He works his butt off every day so that I get to stay home with her. We are so lucky. He swaddles her, and changes her diaper and gives her baths (sometimes) and feeds her and overall just loves her unconditionally. I love watching her watch him. She loves her daddy and I'm pretty fond of him too! :)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
As I browsed the web trying to find the perfect mother's day poem, I couldn't find one that said exactly what my mother means to me. Recently I've found out that you never fully appreciate your mother until you become a mother yourself. It brings a whole new meaning to mother-daughter relationships. It makes me want to go back in time and tell my mom thank you more often although I don't think thank you is a strong enough word. I've only been a mom for 109 days as of today (yes, I counted) and so far I can't think of a more rewarding, joyous, fulfilling job. It's by far the hardest job I have ever had. The responsibility that comes with raising a child is overwhelming. I am constantly worrying about Campbell-- from "is she sleeping too much? Are you sure she's healthy? Am I being a good mom to her? Why is she crying? Is something hurting her?" and like I said it's only been 109 days! I know the worrying is only going to get worse also. I can't imagine when the issues get more serious and she starts to drive and date and go off to college. I just don't know how my mom did it! She was always there nurturing us and teaching us right from wrong. She still is and I'm almost 29 years old. I have to talk to my mom everyday or something is missing in my day. She's the center of the family-- the one person we all confide in, lead on, laugh with, the 1st person we all call.
Do you watch Brothers and Sisters on ABC? My mom is like Nora-- only much younger. Perfect is almost every way. Always has everything together. She's got a heart of gold. She never fails to make sure we all have our "favorite" meal(s) when we come home. Everything is made from stratch even if she has to stay up all night cooking it. She's constantly telling us how much she loves us and how special we are to her. She jumps in the car and comes to our rescue whether she's 5,000 miles away or 5 minutes-- she's there no questions asked. She gives me advice (whether I ask for it or not). She's been my best friend since as long as I can remember. She's a pillar in our community and church. She is always helping the less fortunate. She loves her parents, brothers and all her family members with all her heart and you see it in actions.
I don't know how she does it but she is such an inspiration. I don't think people give enough credit to the mothers of the world. It's a hard job. I know I didn't fully appreciate everything my mom has done for me until recently. It's exhausting being a mom! Whether you stay at home with the kids or go to work-- it's not easy because everyone always counts on the mother.
Did I mention she's always right? My sister and I laugh because whether we want to admit it or not, our mother is always right. I find myself wanting to be just like her. My sister even said the other day that she thought my cooking was getting to be almost as good as our moms. I hope someday Campbell will think as highly of me as I do of my mom. She's incredible and I love her so much!
"Being a Mom"
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?", that every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her, that when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child hurt.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub, that an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to k now that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Do you watch Brothers and Sisters on ABC? My mom is like Nora-- only much younger. Perfect is almost every way. Always has everything together. She's got a heart of gold. She never fails to make sure we all have our "favorite" meal(s) when we come home. Everything is made from stratch even if she has to stay up all night cooking it. She's constantly telling us how much she loves us and how special we are to her. She jumps in the car and comes to our rescue whether she's 5,000 miles away or 5 minutes-- she's there no questions asked. She gives me advice (whether I ask for it or not). She's been my best friend since as long as I can remember. She's a pillar in our community and church. She is always helping the less fortunate. She loves her parents, brothers and all her family members with all her heart and you see it in actions.
I don't know how she does it but she is such an inspiration. I don't think people give enough credit to the mothers of the world. It's a hard job. I know I didn't fully appreciate everything my mom has done for me until recently. It's exhausting being a mom! Whether you stay at home with the kids or go to work-- it's not easy because everyone always counts on the mother.
Did I mention she's always right? My sister and I laugh because whether we want to admit it or not, our mother is always right. I find myself wanting to be just like her. My sister even said the other day that she thought my cooking was getting to be almost as good as our moms. I hope someday Campbell will think as highly of me as I do of my mom. She's incredible and I love her so much!
Below is a story I found on the internet of a mother and daughter. It's long but worth reading. It made me cry (not good when you are already an emotional basket case from having a baby).
"Being a Mom"
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?", that every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her, that when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child hurt.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub, that an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to k now that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Laugh of the Day...
Redneck Baby High Chair and Teething Ring... LOL
Thanks for the laugh Krista-- it was blog worthy :)
and no-- this is NOT Campbell
Friday, May 7, 2010
Sugar coated??
Are you thinking this post is about some wonderful and delicious, mouthwatering dessert? Well, sorry-- it's not. We all have those "over the top" days, right? So far, I've really only blogged about how blissfully wonderful motherhood is. Don't get me wrong, it is absolutely wonderful. Better than I could have ever imagined. I really have never been so happy! You know the happiness I'm talking about, right? That "it's too good to be true happiness?" Well, Tuesday brought me back down to reality. LOL
Like I posted earlier this week, RJ left for Spain on Tuesday morning. The day started off a little rocky with RJ waking Campbell up at 5am-- I'm not use to those early hour feedings anymore. Then we had our baby shower until noon. Anyway, what you don't know is I woke up that morning with a blocked milk duct (oh, the joys of breastfeeding!). I finally decided to call the doctor around 12:30 and the nurse said he would want to see me immediately to make sure it wasn't infected. Great, I thought! I don't have time to be going to the doctor all the way in the med center-- I have some much to do today!
I got Amber to keep Campbell and I headed out. Sure enough, I waited for 2 hours to see Dr. Irwin-- I just sat in the tiny little room all by myself, waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. Finally he came in and was charming as always. No infection but I did have a swollen gland (very very painful) and unfortunately there is nothing he could give me. Great, I thought. All this for nothing. I hopped in the car and realized I just wasted $7 on med center parking. Oh well. I couldn't worry about it because my boobs hurt too bad and I needed to be home 2 hours ago to relieve them!
As I turn onto Fannin I realize the traffic isn't moving--OTC (Offshore Technology Conference) at Reliant. 40 minutes later I get to 610 and there's not only 1 but 2 wrecks right around the time of rush hour. On top of everything, my cell phone didn't have any service. Ugh! Here I am in the middle of the 4th largest city in the United States and I don't have one bar. How is this possible?!?! It's AT&T for crying out loud. I sooo needed to talk to Amber also to make sure Campbell was okay.
Long story short I finally got home around 4:30pm to find Amber waiting at the back door with Campbell. Campbell was screaming bloody murder! Don't worry she wasn't hurt or anything. Amber had just started feeding her the bottle when I pulled up and she started crying. Apparently something I ate passed through to her and hurt her tummy. She screamed, and screamed and screamed (notice I didn't say cry-- I said screamed!). Almost 4 hours of screaming. I'm not joking. It was horrible. Amber had to leave the house for a little while to regain her sanity.
Did anyone watch Private Practice a couple of weeks ago when Addison was keeping Lucas and he was sick and screaming and nothing worked so she finally just got in the bathtub with him and held him? Well, that's what I did. Campbell was crying and I was crying and it was all taking place in the bathtub... haha We both had had an exhausting and painful day. Finally she stopped crying and started splashing around. She really does love her baths especially when she takes one in the big bath tub. Needless to say we stayed in the bathtub for at least an hour... LOL (Whatever works, right??) After that Campbell was fine and feel fast alseep.
Mommy on the other hand was still in pain and could use a very large glass of wine (or something stronger) after this neverending day. I woke up the next morning (Wednesday) and this time I DO have a Mastitus-- in BOTH breast. Luckily, the doctor called me in an antibotic. You know what though? I wasn't going to let this define yet another day. As bad as I hurt, I can't help but to smile when I see that sweet sweet little face looking up at me giggling every morning. I love her so much. All I can say is.... the things mothers go through!!!
Guess what my next post will be about..... secrets to stopping breast feeding. No joke. I need all the help I can get. Suggestions? Advice? All is welcome. I'm pretty sure Tuesday was the icing on the cake so to speak.
Like I posted earlier this week, RJ left for Spain on Tuesday morning. The day started off a little rocky with RJ waking Campbell up at 5am-- I'm not use to those early hour feedings anymore. Then we had our baby shower until noon. Anyway, what you don't know is I woke up that morning with a blocked milk duct (oh, the joys of breastfeeding!). I finally decided to call the doctor around 12:30 and the nurse said he would want to see me immediately to make sure it wasn't infected. Great, I thought! I don't have time to be going to the doctor all the way in the med center-- I have some much to do today!
I got Amber to keep Campbell and I headed out. Sure enough, I waited for 2 hours to see Dr. Irwin-- I just sat in the tiny little room all by myself, waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. Finally he came in and was charming as always. No infection but I did have a swollen gland (very very painful) and unfortunately there is nothing he could give me. Great, I thought. All this for nothing. I hopped in the car and realized I just wasted $7 on med center parking. Oh well. I couldn't worry about it because my boobs hurt too bad and I needed to be home 2 hours ago to relieve them!
As I turn onto Fannin I realize the traffic isn't moving--OTC (Offshore Technology Conference) at Reliant. 40 minutes later I get to 610 and there's not only 1 but 2 wrecks right around the time of rush hour. On top of everything, my cell phone didn't have any service. Ugh! Here I am in the middle of the 4th largest city in the United States and I don't have one bar. How is this possible?!?! It's AT&T for crying out loud. I sooo needed to talk to Amber also to make sure Campbell was okay.
Long story short I finally got home around 4:30pm to find Amber waiting at the back door with Campbell. Campbell was screaming bloody murder! Don't worry she wasn't hurt or anything. Amber had just started feeding her the bottle when I pulled up and she started crying. Apparently something I ate passed through to her and hurt her tummy. She screamed, and screamed and screamed (notice I didn't say cry-- I said screamed!). Almost 4 hours of screaming. I'm not joking. It was horrible. Amber had to leave the house for a little while to regain her sanity.
Did anyone watch Private Practice a couple of weeks ago when Addison was keeping Lucas and he was sick and screaming and nothing worked so she finally just got in the bathtub with him and held him? Well, that's what I did. Campbell was crying and I was crying and it was all taking place in the bathtub... haha We both had had an exhausting and painful day. Finally she stopped crying and started splashing around. She really does love her baths especially when she takes one in the big bath tub. Needless to say we stayed in the bathtub for at least an hour... LOL (Whatever works, right??) After that Campbell was fine and feel fast alseep.
Mommy on the other hand was still in pain and could use a very large glass of wine (or something stronger) after this neverending day. I woke up the next morning (Wednesday) and this time I DO have a Mastitus-- in BOTH breast. Luckily, the doctor called me in an antibotic. You know what though? I wasn't going to let this define yet another day. As bad as I hurt, I can't help but to smile when I see that sweet sweet little face looking up at me giggling every morning. I love her so much. All I can say is.... the things mothers go through!!!
Guess what my next post will be about..... secrets to stopping breast feeding. No joke. I need all the help I can get. Suggestions? Advice? All is welcome. I'm pretty sure Tuesday was the icing on the cake so to speak.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Women's Bible Study Group
Rebecca & Weston, Lane & Lucy Rose, me & Campbell, Jamie & Sam, and Kim & Hunt
Sam (Jan 4th?), Campbell (Jan 20th), Weston (Feb 11th?), Lucy Rose (Feb 25th) and Hunt (12/30)
Sam and Campbell (they look like they are on their 1st date.. lol)
BFF's Campbell and Lucy Rose (and yes, we dressed the girls alike!!)
Lucy Rose and Hunt (Lucy Rose doesn't like boys yet...lol)
Proud Mama's-- Lane & me with our girls
Lane and I decided to join a Women's Bible Study this year. I am soooo glad we did! I live for Tuesday's when we get to go to Bethel and worship with our women/moms group. It's great and very rewarding not to mention we have met some wonderful ladies. We start each Tuesday at 9:30am with our large group discussion and have a q&a about different issues and concerns other women are having. It's very helpful because the questions are about parenting, marriage, setting good examples, being godly women, etc. We are then lead through different parts of the Bible. It's very encouraging and I'm learning a lot. After our study, we meet with our small groups. I LOVE my small group and I LOVE the women in it! They are all around my age-- some have babies, some don't, some have children in elementary and are able to give us new moms insite and encouraging words. This week, our small group class hostessed a baby shower for all the new babies born this year (Dec. 30th-Feb. 25th). It was lovely. Thanks girls!
(15 Weeks Old)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
