my mama told me there be days like this...

I post about how amazing motherhood is and then it takes a turn for the worst!  Isn't that the way the world always works?  God likes to keep me dependent upon him.  Just when I think I have it all figured out and am doing pretty well on my own, He reminds me that I need him in the most desperate way!  I need him to grant me patience, and compassion, and perseverance.  I need grace, and poise, and tolerance!  Those awesome and easy days of mothering help me keep perspective on these hard days. 

Baby Girl must be working on some more teeth or else she is turning into the most cranky, fussy, rotten toddler known.  All Andy has to do is look at her and she screams and cries and runs for mommy.  I can't walk without her clinging to my legs and she requires a solid 30 minutes of snuggle time to get awake in the morning.  If I even try to set her down in that time frame, the screaming and kicking quickly begins.  Ahhhh!! 

Patience, tolerance, poise, compassion, love.....I just keep praying for these things and know that God has it all under control.  Now if He could just bring back my sweet spirited baby girl!  

Look at the camera?  Dream on, mama!

Despite her crankiness yesterday and this morning, she still melts my heart.   I love this girl so much it drives me nuts! 



For now, I need to re-enter the world of parenting.  Elmo's World can only save me for so long!  (Parent of the Year award right here, folks...)





p.s. I saw this blog post title somewhere, not sure where.  Just putting that out there since I'm not sure of the citation rules for blogging ;)

I was born to do this...

....be a mother, that is.

You ever have one of those days?  The day where you totally rocked it?  No matter what you did, you did it well?  Well, I had that feeling today.  I was driving home from Gymboree open gym with our happy toddler in the backseat and I thought, "I was born to do this"! 

I have found my true calling.  I was born to be a mother!  I love everything about it.  Sure, there are moments of stress and doubt and missing my old life, but I'm not going to think about those right now!  All that is filling my mind is the amazing blessing of being a mother!  I would have a whole brood if I had a willing husband! (not Duggar style or anything, I haven't lost my mind)  I can just envision our house bustling with children and my entire backseat filled with smiling faces (and of course they are smiling, this is my fantasy after all!) 

I have always admired moms and dads because I knew they had their hands full raising up little people.  However, I thought that it mostly just included bathing them, feeding them, changing them, and a little bit of discipline here and there ;)  Now I have a whole new perspective on the issue because the truth is that as a mother you are actually raising a human being!   Not only do I have to keep her fed and clean, but it is my responsibility to fill her heart with kindness, compassion, determination, respect, and love (just to name a few!)  Wow!  What a task. 

Sometimes that task can be daunting, to say the least.  However, today was a day where I felt inspired by the challenge.   Who knows, maybe it was the amazing weather or maybe it was God speaking directly to my heart.  But whatever it happened to be, I'll take it!

I hope that all of you mothers out there can have a day where you feel proud of what you do. Not just the "being a mother is rewarding" kind of attitude, but the "I totally rocked this job today" attitude!  If it wasn't today, then maybe tomorrow will be your day.......and then blog about it so I can read it!

part two.

Well, Olivia slept through Gymboree this morning.  She typically only naps for an hour to an hour and a half.  This morning it was two hours and fifteen minutes.  I am not complaining because she obviously needed the rest, but I would have planned nap time a little differently had I known how long she would sleep!  For example, I would have worked out or scrubbed our bathroom instead of hopping directly into the shower when I put her down.  However, I have digressed.....

Instead of Gymboree we went outside to enjoy the glorious weather!  And I mean glo-ri-ous with a capital G!!  It is in the low 70's, sunny, with a light breeze!  Ahhh, I could live like this forever.  

Olivia enjoyed playing in the mulch (I pick my battles and that is one that I have decided to stop "picking")  and drew on her chalkboard with the neighbor boy Wyatt.

We are still working on the "don't eat chalk" message.

She loves it when Wyatt is outside because it typically means his dog 'Dixie' is out, too!  Olivia follows that dog all around the yard and smiles the entire time!  She also likes to give Wyatt hugs, but he isn't too sure about that.  She doesn't seem to get her feelings hurt easily though as she keeps going back for more!  I love that girl and her sweet spirit!

Also, look what I did with my camera!  I was playing with the editing buttons and created this!  I think it is beautifully amazing!  I just may be inspired to actually read the manual now...

we welcome fall with open arms.

The weather has cooled here and we are loving it!  I even had to dig out some socks, a sweater, and some long pants for Olivia to wear on our run yesterday morning!  Last winter's pants were more like capris than regular length, so I added a shopping trip to our to-do list!  Our girl has some long legs!

When we aren't outside playing, Olivia is standing at the windows wishing she was still outside!  I snapped this photo on my Blackberry just before bath time last night.  The cul-de-sac was full of kids still playing and running around.  Having a 7:30 bedtime isn't always fun, I suppose.  Poor poor Olivia....

Also, I haven't forgotten about y'all and my promise for a post with a fun surprise!  And, just to calm inquiring minds, I am not pregnant!  That thought never crossed my mind when I mentioned "the surprise" in that post; however, I have been asked numerous times if that was the news.  Sorry to be a let down,  haha!  We are headed off to Gymboree as soon as Olivia wakes up.  Hope each of you is having a wonderful Tuesday!



A day in the life of Baby...

Olivia makes sure that Baby has a fun-filled lifestyle!  She is already a good mommy as she is often caught giving her hugs and kisses and takes her all over with her during the day. 

Enjoy the photo tour of Olivia and Baby's adventures....

Baby gets carried around the yard...

...pushed in the car

....helped down the slide

.....situated 'just so' in her stroller

...dropped on her head in the grass

...strapped into her booster for a meal while at Grandma & Grandpa's

... and taken on a shopping trip.

What a busy busy life it is to be Olivia's favorite baby doll! 

(Thank you to the Musa family for such a wonderful birthday gift!)

just to get you by.

Where have I been lately?  Well, we had an eventful road trip to Andy's parents this past weekend where the three of us ended up in a tow truck, but we are all safe.  Also, I am working this week at my old job, so Andy has been staying home with Olivia and then going into work when I get home.  So, needless to say, I haven't had much time to update my blog.  However, I've got some great pictures on my memory card and perhaps a video or two!

Also, I have some fun news to share, but all in due time!  I am a busy mama this week!

For now, here is a picture of Olivia in her new Minnie slippers.  We had to take a 2 hour intermission on our drive home Sunday to let the car rest (a long story that I may or may not share...).  The mall we chose had a Disney store and Olivia latched on to these!  She loves to wear them around even though it is still in the 90's in Charleston.  

 Till next time......

Slide, baby, slide!

Olivia has gotten very attached to her baby doll the past few days.  It has begun to go everywhere with her during the day and she has started some adorable imaginary play with her.  Enjoy the cuteness from this morning, but please disregard the saggy diaper, too big pajama bottoms, and shirtless nature of our dear daughter.  It was rather early and already hot and humid!


Slide, baby, slide! from Stephanie Allen on Vimeo.