...And one to grow on...

So much time has gone by since my last post. Its been a crazy time. Simon is growing like a weed - he'll be 8 months old next week! Its amazing to watch him grow. As he masters new tasks and learns new actions he's becoming more and more a part of my entire extended family's life. I also enjoy watching mine & Andrew's growth. A year ago we were concerned about being parents... Concerned is such a gentle word - we were actually scared senseless! A year before that we weren't even married yet!

My growth mostly seems to involve learning to juggle motherhood, wifely duties, and job duties all while maintaining my (somewhat shaky) sanity. There are many times I look at Simon and cannot believe he hasn't always been a part of my life. There are other moments when I look at him and think "this is why people think you're crazy for wanting a houseful of kids". Usually the former thoughts far outweigh the latter! ;-)

Andrew's growth is amazing. He can be a curmudgen - he knows it, I know it, his family knows it, my family knows it - we all accept it. However, sometimes we take exception to his grumpiness. Lately though, he's been gaining ground on turning over a new leaf and shedding the old husk of curmudgenery (ok, I know that's not a word, but its so much fun). My heart just melts when Andrew sits on the couch, exhausted from a long physically difficult day at the garage, with Simon in his lap. They companionably watch the news together. Then Andrew hugs Simon tightly to his chest and plants kisses around his face all while saying "I just love you, little chunky-monkey".

I know we all grow at our own pace, but it seems that lately we're all growing similarly. That's tremendous b/c God knows we need solidarity. We need each other. Most of all we need God!

Has It Been 6 Months Already?

Today is Simon's 6 month birthday. Its a miracle really. Six months ago I was in the hospital hooked up to monitors, having regular contractions, and wishing I could have something to eat. Now, I'm sitting at my desk (at work) after pumping milk for my little munchkin to eat, wishing I could be home with him, and hoping he'll sleep tonight. He's probably trying to coax my mom (she watches him while I work) into playing with him, singing to him, cuddling with him, or some sort of activity. He doesn't have to try very hard - she adores him!

My pregnancy was relatively easy - no overboard weight gain, no swelling, no real morning sickness, just a growing belly - and that didn't even show up until I was 5-6 months pregnant! The delivery was very uncomplicated - I went in - had already been dilating, effacing & contracting for almost a month. Simon popped out after only 10 minutes of active pushing. Simon's first 6 months have been relatively easy too - no serious illnesses (a cold/allergies once or twice), incredible weight gain (from 7 lbs 14 oz to 23+ lbs - will get official weight on the 20th), incredible development from tiny baby push ups to sitting on his own and rolling from back to front and back again, and an abundance of love!

I am blessed to have had such a wonderful experience. I sometimes look at Andrew & Simon and wonder how I became so blessed. Then I see my parents with Simon and know that I was partially blessed because I was raised by two other blessed individuals. I know I'm not perfect, Simon's not perfect, Andrew's not perfect, nor are my parents perfect. However, I think the fact that we all strive to be the best people God has called us to be gives us these wonderful gifts from Heaven.

Happy 6 month birthday, Simon! Happy 6 months of parenthood to Andrew & me! Happy times are had by all!

Monday Gratitude

I've been remiss in my blogging lately. However, I have good reason. I'm working overtime to make some extra money to help finance a vacation. I'm also continuing to nurse Simon, try to cook and clean the house, and have time w/ my husband. Its a crazy life. However, I love it because it means I've finally gotten what I've always wanted - a family. I'm so happy to be a wife and mother that I'd walk through fire over coals to do it again! I went through some rough spots in my life when I thought I was going to grow old w/o someone to love me as only a husband can. I thought I was never going to be able to have children.


Now I have a great husband who challenges me daily to be a better person and to keep my feet on the ground. I have a beautiful son who issues the same challenges, but adds dealing w/ baby drool, dirty diapers, painful nursing, and sleepless nights. In exchange for these challenges I have the assurance from my husband that he loves me endlessly (although he'd never say it that way), appreciates all I do, recognizes how hard I try, is proud of my efforts, and is happy to have me (as I'm happy to have him). Simon's gifts are the beautiful toothy smile when he sees me after a day w/ one of his grandmas, the singular devotion he has to me for comfort as well as food, the squeals and shrieks when he's just pleased to be alive, the adorable bouncing in his Johnny Jump Up or saucer, and the peaceful way he'll hold my finger, shirt, or hair while he slumbers.



It may not sound like much. Afterall, according to Andrew, I'm a simple (easy to please) person w/ loyalty that outweighs anything else. However it sounds, I'm happy - I have my fondest desires next to me every night - a husband to cuddle with and a baby to comfort! Although sometimes my life seems too full and too hard, in the end its all worth it for these gifts I get from my two boys! Thank you, God!