babble

As Trace lies upstairs, all swaddled away and napping in his crib like a good boy, I realize that I haven't just "talked" on this ol' blog about myself and my life in quite some time. So here comes some organized babble...

Me. Today. Still in my pj's. But hair and make up is done. That's a total win for me!

Trace
Trace is now 10 weeks old. What they say is true - time flies when you're having fun! I mean, how did my little 6 lb 7 oz peanut get to be 12 lb 5 oz so quickly? I'll tell you how -- lots of food and plenty of rest. Trace is such a good eater and always has been. I realized early on, with the help of a lactation consultant, that I wasn't producing enough milk for him, so supplimenting was necessary. At just 2 weeks old I placed Trace on the Moms On Call program, which encourages the eat - play - sleep method and wants you to adhere to their feeding schedule. I know feeding schedules are somewhat controvesial, but I can say, with 100% confidence, that it is what is best for Trace. He loves to sleep, his internal body clock knows when it's time to eat, and because of that, he is such a happy baby during awake time. In return, I am an organized, relaxed and happy mommy! And Bryan gets to come home from work to a mostly chaotic free home :) Win Win Win! Oh, and lets just talk about how Trace has slept for 11 hours in. a. row. for 2 days now! 8pm-7am... Thank you, sweet one, for being the most easy little boy I could ever imagine!

What's Next
I am starting to gather information and prepare to make Trace's baby food. Any help on which food processesor is the best bang for the buck, best freezing methods, best recipes and blogs about making your own baby food... please pass my way. I'd love suggestions and advice on anything related to the subject!

Mommyhood
I love being a mom. I really didn't know how I'd take to it being that it's something that I never longed for. But let me tell you, the second you lay eyes on your sweet child... you are instantly smitten. I would do anything for Trace and will always be his #1 advocate. My goal in life is to love and protect him -- protect him from negativity, bullies, racism and evil. I know that he will eventually learn of these things, but I assure you they will not be spoken of in my home. There is just so much bad out there in this world, but I believe that there is even that much more good. I am a "half full" type of gal... I always see the positive and feel that babies who are born in this world today are so lucky! And I feel so incredibly lucky to be a mom in this day-and-age. We have so much at our disposal in terms of technology and the internet  -- forums, googling symptoms/illnesses and blogs. We have supportive husbands who want to spend quality time with their children when they get home from work. We have play dates, mommy-and-me groups, toddler time, gymboree, MOPS, Mommy's Day/Morning Out, etc. I just feel so lucky to be a mom in the 21st century!

Marriage
Life isn't as crazy as I had expected it would be. I seriously wanted to punch every. single. person who told me to "get sleep now because you won't get much once the baby comes" in the face. Most stupid line ever! First of all, you can't stock up on sleep. Duh! And honestly, even if you are sleep deprived, you plug through. You have no other option. I was lucky to only have about 5 days in total where I felt like a walking zombie. That's nothing -- I know that and I'm grateful. But what people should say... and what I'll shout from the rooftops is....... "get time with your spouse now because you won't get much once the baby comes." Yes, you see your spouse and yes, you spend time with them. But seriously, most of it is not quality time. Your entire relationship changes and so do your priorities. You have this tiny being that is at the center of every conversation, every thought and every action. And it shouldn't be any different. But seriously, your marriage will never be the same. My marriage will never be like it was when it was just the two of us. We wouldn't have it any other way, but these first couple of months with Trace have been an adjustment. One that, quite frankly, we're still trying to navigate through...

Friends
I have come to realize that most friends don't ask about how you're recovering from your c-section, how you're transitioning into mommyhood, how it's affected your marriage or much about your baby. They just take it for what it is and plug along with life. I do have some friends, mostly all mom's themselves -- shout out to Hollie -- who are so engaged, but for the most part I'm realizing that I'm going to have to find a playdate group or take Trace to gymboree soon. I love my friends and nothing will ever change that, but I need a better support system. One in which I feel like I can talk about the things I mentioned above without boring them. I want friends that I can talk with about Trace's 1st trip to Target, his 1st set of shots, his giggles at bathtime, his hysterically funny screaming fits and his babbles and smiles after he's just woken up. I just need more people around who care to hear about the details as much as I care to hear about their details.

Life
Life is so amazing these days. So amazing that I often want to pinch myself. I mean, how did I get so lucky to have such a gorgeous home, a hands on husband, a sweet little dog and an angel of a child? I count my blessings every day knowing that God has been so good to me. I also know that I have worked, and continue to work, really hard for these things...

Blog
I have been blogging so much more than I ever imagined I would. I truly thought that this summer would be a wash - we wouldn't get out much, I wouldn't see friends and I would take time away from blogging. But with Trace's sleep schedule I always find that I'm able to blog. Is it something I would cut back on if need be? Sure. But I don't have to right now. I've found a balance and it works. Plus I've realized that I really want to document so much of Trace's life, and our life, that I can't cut back. Although I have thought about taking a month off, stepping away from the computer and enjoying the outdoors more with Trace once the weather cools off a bit. October might just be that month...

Baby #2
Once you have your 1st everyone does start asking you about your 2nd. I am so content with just Trace that I really feel that I could be done. But I want Trace to grow up with a sibling. I want him to have sibling rivalry with his little brother or torture his little sister. I want him to have someone to share popcorn with while watching a movie on the couch. I want him to have someone to anxiously await Santa Claus on Christmas Eve with and to wake up with on Christmas morning. I want my kids to bicker, tease and tattletell on each other. I want them bond over how crazy and embarrassing their parents are. And I want them to have each other when Bryan and I are gone. But if I were being totally selfish, I'd be done with one.... Trace is perfection!