My First Mother's Day

I had no expectations for Mother's Day. Traditionally, I have always thought it more of a Hallmark holiday than a real holiday. I guess my thinking is that if you don't honor your mom throughout the year, then it probably doesn't mean a whole lot to sign a sentimental card and maybe have a nice dinner on Mother's Day. So, as a new mother, I told Ben that he didn't need to do anything for me. He honors me every day. I am so grateful to have such a loving, appreciative partner in this journey!

That being said, I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. My baby--who has reverted to his newborn sleeping pattern these past two months as his molars worked their way down--actually slept nearly all night. He only got up one time and it was a quick and easy back-to-sleep. Unfortunately, I'm so conditioned to early rising and getting up 3-4 times per night that I could only sleep in until 6:30. But, I felt more rested than I had in what seemed like years.

We had spent the night in Allentown at my in-laws so that we could share Mother's Day with Burke's Ga-Ga first thing that morning. It turned out to be a blessing for everyone. Ga-Ga got first dibs with our family. And when Burke took a 2-hour morning nap, I got to lay around and rest. There was nothing I had to do. Nothing I wanted to do. And so I soaked up all the rest my body could handle.

Ga-Ga got to have lunch with all of her grandkids and photos too. Then, we packed our car and headed to York to see my mom and Burke's Grammy {who recently returned from China!}. The promise of homemade waffles and ice cream fueled us the entire way there!

We extended our relaxation at my parents' home, where there are always plenty of aunts, uncles and friends to give Burke lots of attention while giving Mama and Daddy a break. The only people missing were my grandmas. A few minutes before we were supposed to pick her up, my grandma called to tell me that she would be spending the remainder of her Mother's Day at the hospital so that the doctors could get her heart beating normally again. {she has problems with arrhythmia} We are glad that she is now home again and we can't wait to visit and give her the gift we crafted just for her! And my Nana lost her battle to colon cancer this past December. Despite the fact that her body was ravaged by this disease, she left a wonderful legacy of beauty and grace in her last days. It's days like this that make me miss her all the more, but I know she is at peace now and I look forward to sharing my memories of her with my children.

While Mother's Day is just that--one day in a year--I'll take it if it means some rest and relaxation for this tired mama! As my baby boy grows, I love that he gets more snuggly and lovey. He nestles in for hugs and kisses many times during a day. He needs me. He loves me. And, although it still hasn't completely settled in my mind, I'm his Mama. {yes, on our way home from Allentown I caught a glimpse of myself in the side mirror and asked Ben if he could believe that we are parents...because I couldn't. I wonder if it'll ever really sink in.} Motherhood has been the best journey of my life. And I wonder if this Mother's Day, maybe I was the one most thankful that God made me a mother!

Thanksgiving in Retrospect

A crazy whirlwind of activity. Chaos. Madness. The scent of turkey and stuffing wafting through the room, not to be outdone by the poopy diapers and pungent perfumes. Squeals, screams, laughing, giggling, yelling, talking, TV, mixers, squeaky floors, the clatter of plates and silverware. This was our Thanksgiving #1--a sensory overload! However, I did capture some adorable moments on camera and they make it all worth the craziness.

My little turkey actually weighed more than our edible version!

Burke loves his "Pa"

And his Ga-Ga

(Cousins) Give 'em a few months and they'll be best of friends and troublemakers for sure!

(Cousins) Paige was such a sweet little lover when she rocked Burke to sleep

She sang to him, and patted his hiney (never mind the fact that he weighs nearly half as much as she does!)

Oy! Cuteness!

(Cousins) Burke is very loved (tough/rough love, usually) by his twin cousins

 After lunch at Ben's parents' home, we escaped the chaos and sought the shelter and solace of our car for the 1.5 hour drive to my parents' house for Thanksgiving #2. The roar at my parents' home is much different, since Burke is the only baby. There are no other kiddie noisemakers, so it's the buzz of conversation and grown-up laughter that emanates from the rooms at their house. However, even that is chaotic and crazy at times too. So, we gorged ourselves with even more delicious Thanksgiving treats and enjoyed a few hours with my family before packing the boy up and heading home due to his ridiculously (though awesomely) early bedtime. But not before my mom's annual Thanksgiving Day family picture (which is sent out in every Christmas card she sends).

I am thankful every day for my husband, my son, my family and my friends. For the roof over my head and jobs. For health. For experiencing abundant love. And most of all for my Savior, who died that I may live freely and richly each day of my life.

My Treasure

Last night as I was nursing Burke before bed, I was thanking Jesus for all of the treasures He has so graciously given to me. A wonderful husband. A beautiful, happy son. A warm, welcoming home. Health. Abundant life. A caring family and generous friends.

But above all, my greatest treasure is the gift of knowing so much love. My heart overflows with the love I have for my son and my husband. This is truly the greatest gift of all and I will treasure it above all else for as long as I live.

Just the Two of Us

As the birth of our first child gets closer and closer (3 weeks to go!), I find myself wondering whether I will miss just the two of us. I sometimes have nostalgic moments, maybe even a little sadness, thinking that things will never be the same again. And yet, I am so incredibly excited to meet this creation inside of me. To be a mama. I can't wait. But what about us? Will we still find time for date nights, romance, and that quality time that we both so desperately need? Everyone tells me that you don't remember life before children once they are here. And I think I understand. Life before Ben is very fuzzy for me. A few fleeting and peripheral memories float through my mind every now and again. But for the most part, I have a hard time even remembering the names that go with those faces I sometimes see in my mind's eye. So I think I get it.

I love my life with Ben. I wouldn't wish for any other life. I am one lucky wife and soon-to-be mama! God has truly blessed me with a wonderful, caring, gentle husband who doesn't let a day go by without telling me at least a hundred times that I'm beautiful and that he loves me.

Ben often tells me to take more pictures of us together. That we won't have any pictures to show our kids some day. To memorialize our youthfulness. ;) He often says that we never take pictures of us. So, I decided to look through old pictures from when we first met in the Summer of 2007 to the present time and see whether he was right. What follows is our journey in photos. And I think he's wrong. While we may not have a picture of us together at every event ever attended, you will see that we have strong evidence to prove that we were once young, beautiful and in love! :)



Our engagement dinner (4 months after we met)!





He may not want our children to remember every picture. :)



New Year's Eve 2007-2008 (Ben was having a mustache-growing contest with my brother, hence the hideous facial hair).







Our Wedding Day. August 9, 2008.

Phillies Game!



Dog, the Bounty Hunter and Beth, his buxom wife...



Punta Cana


 See? Told you he was wrong. We've had a lot of fun times these past few years. And while I know that we'll continue to have fun and enjoy our life together, it is about to change. But in an amazing way that I can't even begin to fathom right now. One thing that won't change...no matter what life may bring, I'll never stop loving this man!