So Thankful!

I always knew that my perception of holidays would change once I had a child. I had no idea how much. I want everything to be simple and perfect for Mollie. I want to be with her. I want to be with her Daddy. I want her to feel loved and feel how much her parents love each other. That right there is what the holidays mean to me now.

On Thanksgiving, we spent the holidays with both of our parents and families. It was nice getting to relax and enjoy the day together. Mollie slept for a good part of the day and made faces across the table while we ate. She had a smile for everyone.

I am already looking forward to her first Christmas. I don't want to rush the days leading up to it at all, but there is so much to look forward to. We can't wait to see her yank at Santa's beard, rip wrapping paper- which I am sure she can already do, laugh at a holiday wind-up toy, stare at the lights in amazement, put on her Christmas dress for church, and I really can't wait to hold her on Christmas Eve and let it all sink in. Last year, being pregnant, Christmas took on a new meaning for me. Now, having a miracle baby of our own, I know it will just be unbelievable. I can't wait to really, really feel that meaning of Christmas.

3 Months and Lots of New Tricks

Last Saturday, the 14th, Mollie turned 3 months old. I can't believe it! The last 3 months of my pregnancy were incredibly slow, and these past 3 months definitely made up for it. It is amazing how much Mollie has grown both physically and in her abilities.

She can now smile at ANYTHING, laugh so hard it makes us cry laughing, hold a mallet and hit a lollipop drum, play a frog guiro, play a keyboard, play a small toy piano, sing, participate in a nightly "concert" with her daddy for 45 minutes, hold her head up, roll from her stomach to her back, roll from her back to her side, prefer to try to sit-up, turn the pages of a book, play in her exersaucer, sleep through the night- oh, wait... I'm dreaming that one up, reach out to touch things, sit in her bumbo seat, pull toys and objects to her mouth to chew on them, and occupy herself with toys for a fair amount of time. She also met Hairy Dawg, met Uga VII, and marched with daddy (or should I say "on Daddy") in Sanford Stadium during Alumni Band.

I love to snuggle with my baby girl!

Mollie is cozy with her daddy!

The more fun and adventure, the better!

Did I mention her ability to make great faces?

The Lengths a Parent Will Go To...

This is my dinner. A delicious butternut squash and bartlett pear soup. It is in a blender in our bathroom. My baby is asleep in her bouncy seat in the kitchen. These are the lengths a parent will go to in order to keep her baby asleep!

End result: a tasty dinner and a happy baby.

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Shabby Apple Dare to Design Lawn Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Back to Work

I have had twelve weeks to prepare myself for tomorrow, yet I am in shock. Tomorrow, I am going back to work teaching music at my elementary school. Throughout my maternity leave, I have tried to not think about November 2nd. I wanted to savor every moment with Mollie- even the ones where I was so tired that I tried to nurse the pillow laying beside me in the middle of the night. I cannot believe that I will get up tomorrow, leave at 7 and not get home to see her until 3:30.

I feel very fortunate that she will be with my mother. I trust her, and I know she will do what is best for Mollie. There are just so many variables that are stressing me out:
Will she melt down when I leave?
Will she freak out when she wakes up from a nap, and I am not there?
Will she have enough to eat?
Will she take 3 or 4 bottles during the day when she has only had one bottle at a time in the middle of the night?
Will my Mom be able to interpret her cries?
Will she sing to her?
How will pumping at work go?
Will I get enough milk?
Will I be able to hide in my closet without a fifth grader opening the door?
Will I be able to eat my lunch and pump and have enough time in lunch break that is less than 30 minutes?
Will I have time to pump while utilizing my planning time?
Will I have time to pump at the end of the day too?
Will I get to have some "happy awake time" with my baby when I get home, or will she be fussy and mad?
AND Will I be able to keep my mind on doing a good job at work in the middle of all of it???

I will be so glad when I am home tomorrow afternoon with my baby girl snuggled up in my arms. I have to think of that and not everything else. Wish me luck. I need lots of happy thoughts and prayers.