A little Mommy Encouragement

I don't know about anyone else but for me parenting can be overwhelming sometimes. Well in all honestly all of the time. I second guess everything from toys to food to whether he knows how much I love him on that said day. For some reason ever since Mikey was born I always come back to this amazing song by Reba and find clarity ever time so I figured why not share!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kLs4VdfFlQ

My Anthem

You Learn

 

After a while you learn the subtle difference 

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning 

And company doesn't mean security. 

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts 

And presents aren't promises, 

And you begin to accept your defeats 

With your head up and your eyes open 

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child, 

And you learn to build all your roads on today 

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans 

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. 

 

After a while you learn... 

That even sunshine burns if you get too much. 

So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul, 

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong 

And you really do have worth... 

And you learn and learn... 

 

With every good-bye you learn.

Busy Bee

The last few days have been exciting to say the least. My marvelous little man is quite the problem solver and took it upon himself to learn how to open EVERYTHING! The fridge, the dishwasher, the cabinets, the lids on the things in the fridge, the lids in the cabinets, etc. have all been mastered by a very proud Mikey. I thought I had baby proofed when he started crawling... thought. Apparently there is a huge difference between baby proofing and Mikey proofing! I am proud to say that Mikey's problem solving skills are far beyond that of a normal ten month old! That is silver lining, right?

We have been keeping busy with Michael gone. I worked the last three days and might I say I am so lucky and thankful I do not work full time! Today was our full day together and we started on Mikey proofing the down stairs. Started and probably won't finish till he is in high school at this rate! About four we headed out to Black Eagle to trim horses and I took a bareback ride on a rather fussy Arab. Mikey enjoyed watching and of course playing in the dirt out there. They have a chicken coop and he loved watching them! We spent a good four plus hours out there and true to Mikey's reputation blew out his diaper right before we left. Now we were meeting friends for Mexican after so my baby went out in public with no pants! Which he prefers to be honest! When will I learn to restock the diaper bag?! Mikey enjoyed some chips but must learn to take smaller bites. He gets so excited to eat he tries to swallow it whole! Even if you cut it into baby chunks he just keeps shoving food in until no more fits. Yup, he is a boy at heart. I do think the highlight of his day was the shredded chicken he got to taste. Super delicious!

Gotta brag a little...

Whew! Gearing up for a crazy week of no sleep, places to be and people to see. Today I worked a ten hour shift at Big R and didn't get home till five thirty. I have spent the last six hours feeding, singing, talking, playing, and just holding Mikey. Those ten hours all I could focus on was the smiles I wasn't seeing, the laughs I wasn't hearing, the Cheerio breath I wasn't smelling... each minute was a minute I can't get back. I held him for hours after he fell asleep just listening to him breath and clinging to every detail of his face. Dreading work again tomorrow because once again I am missing out on so much!

Then Michael called...

And might I say I am a blessed wife and Mikey is one blessed kid. People always tell you about the "sacrifices" military make for their country. I didn't realize missing out on your kids was one of them. Michael has been gone for a month now and has not complained once. I was gone for a hour before every one at work had to hear about how deprived I was. Michael will be gone for two months so he can better our lives with his awesome new job. That my friends is providing for your family. That is selflessness. That is a husband a wife can be proud of. That is a daddy a boy can look up to. Everything in my life right now Michael built with me and I am thankful for how hard he worked and continues to work to provide for our family. I didn't realize how much he sacrifices for us until today... and quite honestly I am completely and totally blown away by the man I am so fortunate to have married.

Yup, Michael is a awesome guy.  Hands down one of the best.