Brag, Brag, Brag

Ok, so I'm sure you're all sick and tired of hearing about how amazing my son is, but I don't care. Hee, hee. >=D

Just last week on Thursday, he held a ball by himself! It was beyond exciting. It was awesome to see him consentrate on lifting his little arms, work on opening his pudgy hands, and finally put them on either side of the ball. His excitement as he realized he did something like that by himself, shaking the ball back and forth so vigorously until it fell out of his hands, then his frustration as he noticed he wasn't holding it anymore... truly exhilorating.

The Love Boat

I love Valentine's Day. Always have. Even if I was dumped or did the dumping on the day or the day before, (which happened way more than it should in one person's life-time). Some people are bitter or lonely, which is very understandable. But I just can't help being in love with a holiday that celebrates pink and red and fluffy, lovey-dovey, ooey-gooey stuffs.

I happened to a have a delicious holiday. My husband came home Friday night with a red rose and a red heart balloon that said "I love you." He was so clever bringing that home for me for our "anniversary". (We were married on Friday, October 13th.) It was a lovey gesture and I appreciated it because we had spent all our "holiday" money on our son.

The next morning he surprised me once again by putting a bunch of little goodies-all my favorite candies and cute Disney Princess Valentines- on top of a spray of red rose petals on the guest bed in the nursery. Normally, when Larry's home, he does all of the diaper changes, so when he told me he needed to finish getting ready (we were leaving for family breakfast) and handed Jonathan to me. I walked in and I saw his little display and was so surprised and happy.

I felt bad because I hadn't gotten anything for him, but he shook his head and said, "You're MY Valentine. That's enough", which of course made me feel more sad and happy at the same time. But it's not like I could pull one over on him and sneek out and get something for him later. He already knew and it's not like we had any cash-ola laying around for frivolous spending. So I had to let it go.

I did have the best Valentine's Day. Even if Larry didn't get me anything, it would've been wonderful just to spend time with him.. as well as my son.

Packages

I love getting packages in the mail. Even if they're not specifically for me. There's something magical about getting goodies from another person. Today was such a day.

My sister-in-law sent something for my sweet baby boy and we received it late this evening. As I was nursing, I wasn't able to open it right away. My husband, being the doll that he is, left it for me to open and discover the contents there in. And what contents there were!

Inside was an adorable long-sleeved onesie pants set with Tigger on it and, [now get ready, this is the amazing part] home-made burp cloths AND a home-made scrapbook just for Jonnie's first year!! Amazing, I know!! It was mind-boggling to think that she'd spent all that time sewing and putting together something like that... She's so creative and did so many wonderful things for our little boy!! She even did something similar for me when I got married.

Sufficeth to say, I have the world's coolest sister-in-law. I need to jump on the band wagon and try to be as awesome as she is. Becca, this blog's for you. <3 ;D

Beautiful

Have you ever had that moment where, as a mom, you finally see yourself as beautiful? I mean, truly, honestly, really attractive... to yourself?

I was walking out of the bathroom when I glanced at myself in the sliding mirror shower door this afternoon. It hit me really quickly, like a sudden great idea you get in the middle of doing something else. I thought, "Hey! I look good! And I'm a mom!" It was a delicious thought and I wanted to hang onto it for a few moments longer. I walked back into the bathroom to admire myself some more, turning and preening the way we women are want to do.

It was nice to be able to see the few inches that have melted away after childbirth and all the fastfood runs made during all those nights in the ER with my infant son had finally, FINALLY decided to take a hike, in the literal sense. The weight that I had lost and gained back during the most crucial six weeks after having a baby that I never thought I'd get rid of. The curves that I'd missed for these last three months were, at long last, starting to come out of hiding.

But it's not as if weight was the thing that made me feel unattractive. I had just taken time to put make-up on, I'd spent the morning with one of my best friends, whom I adore, and I was going out to shop with my two favorite people in the whole world: my boys. It felt good to have my self-esteem in the right place for a boost. I was feeling good about other aspects of my life as well, so looking good was just something else to add.

Diet Protein Bars

Sooo, I've decided to "take the Special K Challenge", loosely speaking. I eat mostly what's suggested on the diet itself, but I still leave room for things I love, like ice cream (fat free, no sugar added), blueberry muffins from the bakery (sugar free), and a couple other indulgences. The thing is, I follow the serving size. Good eats.

But the thing that really gets me are those protein bars. They're so dang tasty!! One does fill you up for a very long time, but who pays attention to that until after you've snarffed down two and a half. By that time you start feeling sick and realize that the delicious goodness you've downed is now your enemy. Protein bars.

Drink water before you eat them. That way you're already feeling a bit full and you won't GAIN weight.. you'll lose it. And don't froget to have a serving of fruit along with it.

Housework.. and Other Such Connecting Thoughts

I really love cleaning. I'd rather be cleaning than doing most other things. I see things that need to get done and I think about them constantly until they're finished... perfectly. I have a hard time letting other people help me clean because I have a certain way of how things are done, what order, how clean something should be. Organization... in the microscopic perspective.

Ever since my son was born, I've had to let go of some of those things. I don't get to sweep, mop, dust and vacuum as often as I like, I don't get to deep clean all the crevices and cupboards every Friday and Saturday like I used to. And I especially don't get to cook as often as I'd like because I spend that time nursing my handsome baby boy. Laundry is done randomly on odd days of the week and often folded several days later and put away later than that.

Sometimes, when Jonathan is sleeping, I just like to look at him. Housework takes a back seat when I see him. Obsessive cleaning and cooking disappear when he's is my sight. His presence is so powerful, so all-encompassing within this house, it's hard to think about anything else other than what he needs.

I'm getting better, though. Slowly. I have to learn how to balance being mommy and wife. My wonderful husband has taken a second place for a while, but I'm trying to bring him back into the spot light. He is such a wonderful father and he helps me keep my sanity with all he does around the house to help me.