Giggle Time w/ Woof Woof

Glimpses of giggles

One of my favorite singer/songwriters Brett Dennon couldn't have said it any better: "Blessed is this life and I'm gonna celebrate being alive". Oh how blessed my life is! Each night I thank God for these blessings and each day I truly embrace every minute from sunrise to sunset. Cam has taught me to let go of the small things that are meaningless (such as that pile of folded laundry that has been sitting on the couch for a week). OK so I admit, I may be a little OCD... or as I like to refer to it as "Type A personality". Up to this point in my life, it actually served me well. It pushed me through school, it was the driving force behind my graduate work, internships, hours and hours of clinicals and supervision along with balancing 3 jobs and working towards my LICSW. Now, as I am a couple of months away from my LICSW exam, I am realizing that to be a mommy, you don't really need any of those driving forces or OCD and perfectionistic tendencies. All you need is a big smile, a silly song and the deepest appreciation for the true meaning of love. In return you will be given much more of a reward than any graduate degree or license behind your name can ever provide you with.

Today Cam gave us another glimpse of his giggles. He found it funny when we were impersonating superman... he was playing the role of superman and I was aiding him in his flying, with several kisses along the way. This is a standard game and typical day for us, but for some reason today, it was extra funny to him. Oh to hear that giggle... it was music to my ears and magnificence to my heart and soul! This is truly what life is all about.....

Mothers Day

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie". ~Tenneva Jordan

This quote resonated with me as it reminds me of my mom. My mom is my role model, my hero and my best friend. Simply stated, she is amazing. She is strong, loving, courageous and benevolent. She has a dazzling sparkle about her that illuminates every room she enters and I only hope to be as wonderful of a mother as she is. Being a mom myself, I now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of her love for my sisters and me. Her infamous saying "just wait one day when you are a mother, and you will understand".... finally has meaning and truth behind it. There are not enough "thank you's" in the world to illustrate my gratitude for her. She has shown me sunshine when I saw no more, wrapped me in her warmth when I fell in to the coldness and shown me the path when I was lost. My sisters and I are who we are because of her. She built our characters and instilled morals and values that we will instill in to our children. We may even add a story or two starting with the line..." We are from Connecticut" whether it be the cashier in the grocery line or the waiter in the restaurant (Susie and Krissie, I thought you would appreciate this one)!!

I had the most fabulous first mother's day. This time last year our little baby was just a little bean inside my tummy. God had big plans for him......the world was about to be blessed with a tiny soul who embraced big character and a contagious smiles and laughter. The world is his canvas and I can't wait to see the beautiful picture he paints as he moves through life.

It was a gorgeous day, warm and brilliant. Cam and daddy let mommy sleep in for a much needed rest. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go back to sleep after Cam's morning feeding, but much to my surprise (and little protest) I snuggled back down in to my blankets and that is the last thing I remember. I awoke to coffee, home made freshly squeezed orange juice and a walk in the sunshine with Rob, Cam and Bailey... my three favorite boys. I can't remember the last time I was able to wear flip flops outside. It just may have been last summer. We then packed up and headed down to the Pike Place Market where we strolled around, took in the scene and just enjoyed this beautiful city we are so blessed to call home. I have never seen such a crowd at the market. How could I forget that the first nice day Seattle has, everyone and their dog (literally) comes out to play. The warmth is almost manic producing, after so many rain drenched days that lay behind us. Cam enjoyed his time at the market and did not make it through without several bystanders becoming quick fans. We then walked down to Myrtle Edwards park, which is a great waterfront park with sprawling green grass and picture perfect park benches. We spread out our blanket, took of our shoes and played in the sunshine for the next couple of hours. It wouldn't have been a perfect day without a little nap as well! Cuddled up next to Cam, I closed my eyes and the warmth of the sun rays and the smell of my baby put me right to sleep. Two naps in one day, sunshine, fresh green grass beneath my bare feet and time spent with my favorite boys...it couldn't have been more perfect! A mother's day I will always remember and always cherish.

Penguin vs Octopus

Well the dreaded day came and has gone and we all survived (actually I should say I survived). I went back to work on Wed. I cried several times the night before....Now I guess I should mention the fact that A. I only worked for 3 hours and B. Rob was home with Cam. You would have thought I was going on a week trip and leaving Cam for a week with a stranger with how sad I was! Oh goodness.... when my 8 hour days approach, I am guessing I will be a mess. I returned to the Moore Clinic where I am an on-call therapist. I won't return to Providence until June (and will only be part time) and I am going to work one day this month at UW. I am slowly easing back in to it. I am also preparing for my LICSW exam (which I am not quite sure how I am going to find the time to put in all the hours that I will need to study considering I am lucky if I get a shower 7 days a week)! Playing with Cam is much more fun than studying... and way more productive right? I would pay a million dollars to see his smile every day. Yesterday he half giggled half squeaked after seeing his Penguin the puppet.... Octopus is getting a run for his money now!

I am going in to work for another 3 hours tomorrow. My aunt Susie is coming up to stay with Cam. I don't know what we would do without our fabulous family. I feel so blessed to be able to raise Cam with such a loving little "village" who love and spoil him.

My love for our little angel continues to grow each day. I can't begin to fathom how this love can grow any larger, but it does day after day. He melts my heart and makes me giddy. I think he has figured out that he has me wrapped around his finger too. For some reason, when Rob is with him, he takes great naps in his crib... now when he naps with me, he prefers sleeping in my arms or next to me if I am lucky enough to sneak in a nap as well. Hmmmmmm........ or maybe I subconsciously would rather snuggle with him during his naps?! He continues to sleep 8-9 hours a night... mommy and daddy feel sane again!! I have to admit, I still check on him before I get in to bed, and sneak in another kiss or two or three. I look forward to the morning when I can see him and smother him with kisses again!

It is so much fun to watch him change daily. He is much more alert of his surroundings and is loving our walks and runs, as he gazes up at the trees and sky, with the look of "awe" as he contemplates the world around him, snuggled into his stroller over heating because his mommy has him so layered up.