What Goes Around... (Part 2)

Amazing.  Not only is Nick no longer the little baby that I once held in my arms...

 

...but he is now the uncle who is holding my baby in his arms! When folks say that time flies, listen to them.  They are more right than you could ever imagine.

Wardrobe Malfunction

The picture says it all. Well, almost. Yes, I accidentally wore a red polo shirt to Target.  You know, the kind all of their employees wear... I was so excited to shop ALL BY MYSELF that in my excitement, I didn't pay attention to this small but important detail.  But as it turned out, I didn't have that bad of a time. It started like this:

"Ma'am, I'm sorry- I have no idea where you can find a strainer spoon."

"I didn't forget my name tag, sir. I actually don't work here."

After about a half hour, I gave in to all of the requests.  I surprised myself with my depth of knowledge when it came to the location of various Target items (even things I never shop for). At one point, I walked halfway across the store to help a sweet little old lady find bread.  I think Target owes me a half a day's pay...

Under Pressure

A recent conversation (and spit up) has me thinking about stress...

Ashley had a major spit-up episode.  We're talking out the mouth and nose.  Scared the ever-loving crap out of me, and freaked poor little one out something fierce.  Neither one of us saw it coming, and it affected us both.

And since all of my mental analogies are baby-related these days, it got me thinking about stress. (Once Ash was calmed down, of course.  During and immediately post-spit-up we were both hot messes.)

I don't think any of us really realize how stress is affecting us or others until the shit (or spit-up) hits the fan.  And by then, we wished we would've seen the storm coming sooner.  We say things like, "I had no idea I was such a bitch/ass/royal douchebag," or "How did I let it get this out of hand?"

Truthfully, we knew on some level what was happening, but we either felt powerless to change our circumstances, or we'd shoved our circumstances firmly under the rug.  We become so successful at thinking we're managing our stress, that we don't realize (until it's too late) that our stress is managing us. 

I feel like I'm rambling here, so I'll finish with this: get out of your own head for a minute or so, take inventory of how fulfilled you really feel, and if things could be better, create an action plan (written or otherwise) to do something about it.  Keep in mind that it's not just your happiness at stake, but also the happiness of those who care about you.  And for god's sake, Ash...go easy on the milk!

Shameless Plug

I'm so impressed with this adorable block set that I wanted to promote the heck out of the Etsy shop where I bought it... Simple Block Sayings

What Goes Around...

I just read the most wonderful message from my Mom, which got me thinking...

I'M TURNING INTO MY MOTHER!

I know there are some people who would put that statement in all caps because it is the most god-awful thought ever conceived. (My 16-year-old self would be one of those people.)

I was delighted.  I couldn't imagine a better, more positive, more caring role model for me, and now she will be that for Beck and Ashley.

How did I come to this realization?  Over three button snaps.  Or more precisely, over a major diaper blow-out.  You see, as my Mom was helping to clean up one of the most epic poopy messes of all time, she counted the snaps on Ash's clean onesie as she closed them.  And in between helping to clean up the mess and throwing away the wipes, I paused just long enough to realize that in recent days, I'd been doing that too.  I saw my Mom mirror so many other things I'd already been doing- the running commentary ("Now I'm filling the bottle, now I'm closing the bottle..."), the bouncing- sure, there are many other mothers out there who do the same, but the way she did it; I can't explain how it just was the same.

 Maybe I don't necessarily laugh the same way as she does, or have the exact same sense of humor, or whatever else makes us (duh!) different human beings.  But the fact that I mother like my mother makes me proud and humbled all at the same time.

Ashley Rose (my blood pressure)

I did it.  I lost my patience this morning.  I had a fussy baby, made even more fussy by my lack of Mommy Zen.  I shed some tears, then I vowed to never do that again.  Just to be sure that in those moments of weakness, I always remember what a sweet girl she is, I'm going to post some of my favorite Ashley moments here...

Welcome to the world!

Dad is RAD indeed!

The goofy face that melts our hearts ♥

That's how to relax...

Please, guys, no more pictures!

Three Years Gone By

 A lot can happen in three years!  I can't believe I abandoned this blog.  Well, actually, I can... considering all that has happened since my last post!

We got married...

 Took a dip in the lake... 

Cheered for the Gators...

Saw some San Francisco sights for sore eyes...

 Went deep into the heart of Texas...

Cheered for the (Northeast High) Hurricanes...

 Witnessed a beautiful wedding, among equally beautiful people...

 Got muddy to celebrate our favorite 15-year-old...

 And welcomed a miracle into the world!

And that's just a sampling of it all!  So, what will the future bring?  If it's anything like the (recent) past, I can't wait to find out!