She Did It Again!

Gracie slept through the night again. I am so amazed-I didn't even have to give her shots this time. I really needed that eight hours, so I am very thankful. Maybe I'll make it through this week after all.

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break int o a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,

the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

First Mother's Day

I know it's not officially Mother's Day yet, but with Brian on the overnights, we do things whenever he is actually awake. This afternoon he asked me if I wanted my presents, and I told him that's up to him and Gracie. He decided I did want my presents, and went into the other room calling "close your eyes!" When I opened them he said "This one's from Gracie," and was holding these adorable teddy bears. Notice the tag!

Then he did the "close your eyes" bit again and gave me this necklace. I had told him I wanted a mother and child necklace and he picked it out. It's perfect! Tomorrow we will finish celebrating at the Brewers game. A friend of ours got a table at Fridays, just over our bullpen. It will be a blast!

Who Looks Like Mama?

My mom sent me these pictures of me when I was a baby. Looks pretty familiar!

What A Let Down

Remember how excited I was about the photos of Gracie for the USA Baby Cutest Baby Contest? I found them online last night, and I really don't think they do Gracie justice. She is so much cuter than any of the photos show. Needless to say, I doubt my little monkey will be winning this one. If you'd like to vote for her-or just see how a professional photographer can take an adorable baby and make her look-not adorable-here are the voting instructions, and they only count through May 15th. Her photos are numbers 57-60.

Two Month Checkup

Gracie had her two month appointment yesterday. We learned that she is now 10 lbs, 12 oz which is the 50th percentile. She is 23" long, which is the 76th percentile-where'd she get that? I forget the actual number for the diameter of her head, but it was the 75th percentile. The doctor said she is doing good, and growing like a weed-I've noticed! She also got her first vaccinations. I don't know if it was harder on her or me. She was crying so hard she lost her breath and couldn't cry!
She didn't really nap at all yesterday, and was really fussy-probably because I was sick- so I was nervous that we'd have a rough night. She wouldn't go to sleep and I was physically exhausted from the fever I'd been fighting, so I was naughty and put her in her bassinet with the boppy to prop her up. I turned on the vibrations and nature sounds and gave her a nuk and she fell fast asleep-and slept for eight hours! Yup, my baby slept through the night for the first time.

Today Is Hard

I am really struggling through today. Fridays are hard to begin with because I have a tougher class schedule than the rest of the week. Gracie had a really tough day with Daddy yesterday, and was fussy all evening. The good thing about that is that she actually slept really well last night-6 1/2 hours! However, I am so worn out from the rest of the week that it didn't really make me feel rested. I was managing through the morning and then I went into the lounge for lunch. One of our occasional subs was in there visiting with her two kids. Her oldest will be two in July and her youngest is 3 1/2 months (but was very premature). I almost started crying, looking at her baby and wishing it was Gracie. They asked if I wanted to hold her and I said no, then I won't make it through the afternoon. Thank God I only have two more classes. I'm comin' Gracie!