9 Months

It seems so hard to believe, but 9 months ago today my baby girl was born. Something about the 9 month birthday always seems bittersweet to me. It seems unreal that it could be possible that Reese has been on this earth as long as she spent inside of me. Something about that amazes me and makes me sad at the same time. For 9 months I have had her to hold in my arms (and hold her I have)  and for 18 months I have been caring for and nurturing this little lady.

I have to be honest in saying the first few months flew by quickly because they were HARD. They were hard in a good way though. I am a firm believer in the saying "everything happens for a reason" and I honestly believe God put Reese in my life to make me be a more patient, loving, compassionate Mama. One who could take the time to be loving, to hold her children and to realize 'it wont be like this for long". So, little Miss Reesey thanks for making me this Mama. For teaching me to be loving, patient and compassionate. For teaching me to love holding my children and learn that being a Mama isnt always all fun and games! I love you to the moon and back, and no matter what, you will ALWAYS be my little baby!

The Sweetest Thing...

Happy Father's Day!!

A Father Loves His Daughter...

A father loves a daughter

Like no other love on earth.

From the day that he first meets her

Nothing can compare her worth.

Forever are they bonded

With a love that never fails.

For always he will hug her

And kiss goodnight with fairy tales.

He will love her and protect her

With strong arms just in case

But will also hug her tenderly

With a fatherly embrace.

Eskimo kisses touch her nose

With a giggle and a squeeze

And that sparkle in her little eyes

Could bring him to his knees.

What more could any father want

Than a daughter so sweet and pure

There's nothing in this world so rare

Of that he can be sure.

A fathers love is so unique

It cannot be replaced

He will always treasure times with her

And the memories embraced.

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever!! We love You!!!

Look At These Curls!!

Thankful, But With A Heavy Heart....

Today I am reminded how thankful I should be that I have two healthy, beautiful children whom I had no diffiiculty what-so-ever bringing into this world. This afternoon as I was enjoying the fact that those healthy children were taking a LONG nap, I checked facebook to see that my friend, who has lost two babies already (one at 36 weeks) and is 33 weeks pregnant is now admitted to the hospital and is at risk of losing this baby. Immediately my heart was in my stomach and I thought I was going to vomit. I've been sick with worry since. This friend of mine is fairly new to me, however, her little girl and Nora hit it off immediately and not a day goes by that questions of where "A" is or what she is doing pass. Nora truly loves her and if it were up to her, she and "A" would do EVERYTHING together.
After Nora woke up from her nap and suggested that we go swimming with "A" I told her that "A" wasn't going to be able to come swimming with us anytime soon because her Mama was in the hospital. I told Nora that we needed to pray for "A's" Mama and baby... Here's how Nora's prayer went:
"Dear God, please make Miss R better so that "A" can come swim in the big pool". Pretty straightforward if you ask me...
Now I ask you, too, to please, please pray for my friend and her family. NO family should have to endure losing one child... let alone several....
After doing this, hug those kiddos of yours a little tighter and thank God for everyday that you have them!

Oh My Goodness, Time Sure Does Fly!

On December 29th I decided I had had enough of being fat. I had always said that I wanted to be the Mom who would hop on her bike with her kiddos, go swimming at the pool and not be ashamed of her looks, etc. etc. After having Nora I knew I was not that Mom, but at the time I thought my life was too crazy to take care of myself. I was scraping to get by and failed to realize that if only I would have taken care of myself first, then I would be able to do a better job of taking care of everybody else. Deep in the back of my head I knew this, but I wasnt applying the thought. I was tired and stressed out. Unfortunately stress=eat more food for me. It wasnt long before suddenly I was gaining weight and doing nothing about it.

Today, I just realized  that I have been on this weight loss journey for SIX months! This is the second time in my life where I have successfully lost a significant amount of weight. Last time I was fairly young, childless, and thought that if I could just lose the weight (gained from an inactive thyroid) then it would just stay off. To say I was naive would be an understatement! I stayed "skinny" for a few years and then I got pregnant.
Woah Nelly was I ever sooo wrong. Not only did I gain weight, I gained 60 + pounds. After Nora's birth but before becoming pregnant with Reese, I never got anywhere near my old weight. I knew I needed to do something, but instead I didnt. Deep down I knew how much I hated the lack of food I was able to consume the last time I "dieted". I didnt want to have to go back to letting go of my "crutch". What I didnt consider was the fact that this time around I was a nursing mom and therefore was alloted more "points". Regardless of more or less points I decided that day that it was time and that now was as good of a time as any.

Looking back, I think its pretty funny how so many times before I had "wanted to lose weight" and tried a couple of times but within days said to hell with it. This time, I set my mind to it and there was no looking back.  Six months later, I have lost 37 lbs. and weigh 145 pounds (if you count my weight since having Reese I have lost roughly 65) I would still like to lose weight (somewhere around 10 pounds would be nice) but am following what my body wants. I can honestly say that I have been successful with actually learning the "lifestyle' of Weight Watchers. I have realized, that like any other addiction once the weight is gone, I am never going to stay at a healthy weight unless I live this new lifestyle day after day after day.

I hope that like any other "addict" this is my new life. That food will never consume me again and that I can remain that Mama who rides bikes with her kids, goes swimming at the pool without being ashamed of her body and who can keep up without being out of breath. Afterall, I do want to spend many, many more years with my sweet girls setting a good example to them that life does not have to revolve around food... even though it is darn good stuff!