So very thankful for the opportunity to be a parent!

Parents have hundreds of ways of describing what it means to be a mom or dad. But most conclude that its "indescribable." I agree.

Having just come away from the Thanksgiving holiday, where I spend four days cuddling and cooing with Andrew... and four nights listening to him breathe from the crib in the room we shared... and hearing his "baba, dada, gaga" at a too early 5:45 am... I'm on a Parent Love High.

I find myself amazed at how different parenting is than how I imagined it. I could never predicted that after a long weekend of sharing the same room with Andrew, instead of reveling in the peace and quiet of my own room... I'd feel restless. I could have never guess that night after night, once Andrew has gone to sleep... I wouldn't be able to resist sneaking into his room to stare at his sweet peaceful face. I could have never imagined the feel of his unconditional love, his beautiful innocence, his pure joy and happiness. I could have never know that when I look into my baby's eyes I'd see Brandyn, I'd see my baby brother, I'd see my parents, I'd see myself.

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for Andrew.

Keep them doggies movin'!!

While Andrew is not quite crawling yet, he sure is movin'! You'll note that while I was banging one of his favorite toys together... that was NOT what he was after!

My Mommy Yard Stick

I recently attend a Self Confidence workshop, conducted by a friend of mine who's "testing out" her skills as a coaching/workshop leader and dreaming of a new career. During the workshop... we discussed how women "judge" each other - mostly mothers - and how detrimental that can be to the individual, to women kind, to ourselves.

The more we talked, the more I realized that I judge MYSELF. That while I'm perfectly happy with the choices I've made for myself, for my family, for my son... I often look at how other women are doing things... and think they are doing them BETTER. Why!?! Why do I do that to myself. I'm perfectly satisfied that I stopped nursing, that I hired a house cleaner, that I spend quality "me" time without my baby, etc., etc., etc. I should NOT feel guilty about any of those things. *I* made those choices... and I feel that they are the right choices for me.

So, I'm making a promise to myself. I vow to ONLY "measure" myself against ME... to not let others "make" me feel guilty for those choices... and to feel confident in the choices that I've made.

Trick or Treat!!

Andrew is of course too little to care about Halloween or Trick or Treating... BUT... we took him out anyway! Well, just to two houses anyway! To Aunt Jennifer's - where he got to see Fireman Jacob. And to our neighbors house. They were so sweet they said "We hoped you would bring him by - we have something for him!" And they gave him a toy - too cute!!

Here are a few pictures from Halloween and our visit to the pumpkin patch!

The extra money I saved making baby food...

Was negated tonight when I realized my blended died. Guess I know where all the saved money is going.