Rub-a-dub-dub, it's a baby in a tub

Please don't report us to CPS!

R and I celebrated a friend's 40th birthday tonight. In his honor G got his first taste of beer.

Sweet, sweet victory

Despite the fact that I am blessed with the best baby in the world, there are some days that his schedule and mine don't mix. Generally those are the days where I have stayed up way too late and he wants to get up and stay up way too early. It's on these days that I use all my best mothering skills, including the use of bouncy seats, swings and the recliner. All ways to get him to go to sleep that do not involve him being alone, on his back in his crib. Probably not the best long term plan for my sanity, but he's only a month old and I'm told this will not destroy his sleep habits (next month may be another story, but for now, I do what I can do to get a few more hours of sleep).

I am also blessed with a wonderful husband who has turned out to be an incredible dad with all the best intentions for the baby. He has also been a little disappointed in my parenting choices a few times recently. Specifically the measures I've taken to get our little angel back to sleep when mommy was too tired to keep her eyes open, much less entertain a newborn. Jimbo is really insistent that G sleep in his crib (or pack and play), DEFINITELY not in bed with us (which I totally agree), not in the swing, etc. So you can imagine my pleasure this morning when Jimbo, who is on weekend morning baby duty, comes rushing into the office telling me to "come quick". Based on the level of excitement I'm thinking the kid is taking his first steps or something equally as earth shattering. He takes me into our bedroom where he shows me our sleeping child, in our bed, on his stomach. He's so excited because generally G doesn't like to be on his tummy. This is mostly because Jimbo thinks its a good idea to put him on his tummy to "tire him out" when really he just wants a bottle, but that's a different story. Needless to say I took great pleasure at pointing out that he was breaking the "rules" and asked what made it okay that he was sleeping in our bed. His response was simply so that he could get another hour of sleep. Ahh victory, your taste is oh so sweet.

The adventure begins...

After 36 years of planning, 6 months of "trying" and 39 weeks of preparation (including one very long week after 36 hours of what I now know were Braxton Hicks contractions) we are headed to the hospital in a few minutes. The nursery is ready, the freezer is packed to the gills, the floors are mopped and the bags are packed. I'm a little nauseous, but I think anyone who isn't at this point doesn't really know what they're in store for. Not that I think I know it all, but I know it's A LOT of hard work. We're so lucky to have such great examples to work from. I can't wait to meet this little turkey that's been growing in my belly since just before Thanksgiving. We have so much to teach each other so let the adventure begin!

Why Me?

I'm not quite sure what I did to deserve them, but I have an amazing group of friends. Some I've known more than half my life and some have come into my life much more recently, but they are all so special and amazing in their own way. When we all get together (which is not often enough) like we did tonight at our "Official Grill and Nursery Warming Party" I'm just overwhelmed with how lucky I am.

As I watch Meg with Anna and Lily, then Lisa with Arya and think about Linnell and Sue's impending arrivals just a few months from now, I get goose bumps. Jimbo's and my world is about to change so much. As prepared as we think we are, we also know that nothing can truly prepare you for what we're about to experience. I am so blessed to have Meg and Lisa to lean on for their advice and I am so excited that Sue and Linnell will be joining the mommy club so soon after me. Our walks will be a little different from now on, but the additions will make them so much fun. Now we just have to find someone good enough for Melissa and we'll be all set!

My Theory on Life

I was blessed to be raised in the South by the most wonderful mom one could ever imagine. My mom is now and has alway been very involved in her church. Anyone who has spent any amount of time in a church in the South (and for all I know anywhere else) has experienced more than their fair share of covered dish suppers. I am no exception.

My mom always taught me that the rule of thumb was to bring enough to feed your own family plus one more person. By doing this you can ensure that even those who aren't in a position to bring something for themselves will not leave the table hungry. This rule of thumb extends well beyond the church fellowship hall and if applied correctly can have a dramatic impact on your life and the lives of others.

Simply put...life each and every day as if you were attending a covered dish supper. Do enough for your family and a little extra to help someone else and no one will leave the table of life hungering for anything.