The High Chair

It's amazing how much life can make you grow and develop just when you think you've reached your "peak". Becoming a Mother has definitely taught me that I really had no idea who I was until this beautiful little girl came into my life.  Now everyday is such a learning experience and I grow so much as a person and of course, a Mom.

It all started a few weekends ago when Kevin and I had to be a part for the first time since Norah was born.  He was traveling back home to New Jersey to be with his parents while his Dad had a big surgery. We decided it was better for Norah and I to stay home and I was a little nervous at the fact of being home day and night by myself. What's amazing is that it went smoothly, effortlessly, and I had such a sense of pride for what I had just accomplished. Of course I missed my husband in the way that anyone misses those they love, but I was seriously fine being home alone with Norah for a few days.  I started to feel a new sense of independence, like when you first move away to college and think you can do anything.

The following weekend it was Norah and I's turn to go down to New Jersey and visit the Grandparents (as we were told Norah IS the best medicine..I agree). I hadn't made the drive to New Jersey by myself in awhile and especially not with Norah. I thought I would make things more exciting for myself and bring our highly stressed in the car beagle Lucy too! It's about a 3 hour drive on major interstates through Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. As I passed by the NYC skyline, threw my change out the window at the toll booths, and remembered exactly which exits that I needed to take without hesitation, I thought, "wow, I'm pretty awesome!" haha...

After a great trip, I came back home to build this....

The ULTIMATE independent move that I could make.  Sure, when my husband came home to find me sitting on the floor, the base and the chair separate from each other, all kinds of screws everywhere, and Norah and I singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" because I was clearly stuck on step 7 of the 14, he was a little annoyed that I decided to do this on my own.  More for the fact that he LOVES to build...from legos to Ikea furniture...but I just had to build this high chair...it was going to prove what an independent little Momma that I have become. I did end up finishing it that night..after Kevin literally took a block of wood and flipped it over because that was all that needed to be done to move away from step 7...nothing like that to keep me grounded, wow...but I did it, I built Norah's high chair!!  Yay!!!

So I can't help but think what's next.  It's really an exciting feeling to gain this new sense of independence and know that I am capable of taking care of another human being on my own.  NOT THAT I EVER WANT TO DO THIS LONG TERM but it's very nice to know that for a few days I can handle it. Life is all about ups and downs and I was strongly aware of that before I became a Mother...but it sure is wonderful to watch each new day come at you and try to conquer it with some confidence and flexibility. 

If only I knew the cure for some major middle of the night teething!!!! 

BAD Dream!

I took a morning nap with Norah today and had the worst dream!!  I went out to get some ice cream in the next town over and ran into some friends from high school (that were strangely visiting my town). I went walking downtown with them and visiting and all of a sudden I thought, "Where is Norah???". I made some excuse that I had to go pick up Norah from a lady that was babysitting her, and started to run towards my car. It felt like I was many blocks away and it was one of those dream runs where you are actually slowing down with each step rather than getting faster. I thought she's either in the car still or at home taking a nap...why couldn't I remember where I last put her???  As I was running to my car I imagined the police surrounding my car waiting for me to get back. I finally approached the car and there were a bunch of old ladies standing around watching Norah as she wailed in the back seat.  I flew into the car and then woke up.  Thank God I was in my own bed, in my own home, baby monitor next to me, realizing that we were all just taking a nap.  What a scary dream!!!  Has anyone else ever had a dream like this?  I feel like a total failure for even dreaming it! Plus, I was getting ice cream in my dream which is something that I'm not supposed to eat because Norah has a cow's milk allergy. Does that make me even more of a failure????????  Well I guess it doesn't matter because we are all home safe and I will NEVER make a mistake like that in the "conscious world". Phew....

Yummm....I do miss you ice cream!

Snow Days...aka Spa Days!

I know that everyone is getting so sick of all the snow storms that have been coming our way, but I kinda like them.  Actually I flippin' love them!  Although it would be nice to not have to worry about pulling out onto a road completely blind by a snow bank, there have been a lot of perks for me this winter.

I like to think of my Snow Days as Spa Days!  My husband (Kevin) is a teacher so he has been home A LOT this winter.  I know he's going to have to go to school way into the middle of the summer, but right now, I'm just loving the time he gets to spend with me and Norah.  Especially in her first year of life here!  :)

Anyways, the "Spa Day" part.  Kevin is amazing to me on days that he is home.  I get to sleep in while he wakes up with Norah and feeds her.  When I finally wake up, I make us a yummy Sunday morning kind of breakfast (today was french toast, last week was snowman pancakes). Then we all either get cozy on the couch or play on the floor with Norah. Kevin is very hands on with Norah when he's home so I can just relax and watch the beauty that is Daddy and Daughter Time. Then lately I get to do some P90x without worrying about the baby waking up before the workout is done (today they watched and laughed at me at the end of my workout) and then I got to take a leisurely shower. Oh and then on days that I don't sleep in, I even get to take a midday nap!!! It's just wonderful! 

I'm definitely used to having Norah on my own all day now but it's such a nice change and relaxing "Spa-like Day" when Kevin has a Snow Day.  In the words of Tony Horton (P90x dude), "Bring It!". ;)

This is Norah enjoying her Snow Day with her Mommy and Daddy!  SUPERBABY!!!  Also, my shirt was brought to you by the wonderful Craig and Liz Carroll! :)