One Year Ago Today...

2/23/2012, 2:58pm

Happy 1st Birthday Hudson Wilder Barnes!

An hour from this very minute, 1 year ago today, you were born. I am caught in the memories of the exquisite, pulsing, contractions of labor. I revel in the flashes of breathless exhaustion from hours of straining to see your face, and the glorious stretching as I pushed you into this world. The feel of your warm, wet, tiny body being placed on my chest; the little panting screams that marked your voice; looking up into your father’s eyes, bright with unshed tears; feeding you for the first time from my breast; your pink fingers clutching at mine; your sweet breath whispering as you snuggled into my neck soothed by my voice and the beat of my heart.

These memories warm me…bittersweet and ragged. Beautiful.

The details seem etched in my mind. Every miraculous moment. Sometimes they are foggy, but not today. Today they are clear.

I don’t remember the weather nor do I have any concept of the happenings of the world that day, but your birth, that I remember.

It lights my heart to recall that day. But nothing like the light that you bring to my heart today. The brightness of your eyes, the pureness of your smile, the joy on your face as you yell, “MAMA”.

That is truth to me. Unsullied, unbiased, total truth. I was meant to be your mama. To grow you, birth you, nourish you, raise you, and love you. With the very core of my being.

You are a part of me. Your life is a part of my very soul. For that I am thankful. I am blessed to be your mother.

Happy 1st birthday dear son.

Love,
Your mama

You know you're a good mom when...

You see that your son has spit up some of that oh so precious breast milk he just demanded you feed him and rather than get up to get a rag you just watch the dog lick it off the floor.

Even more awesome than that...watching said vomiting son get mad because the dog licked up the awesome puddle of throw up he wanted to smash his rubber ducky in. Yep folks, I have arrived!

(I really do love my life, for serious!)

Things I've Said

This just happened...

"Gary, please don't turn the baby into a tasty treat for the dog with my breastmilk."

Said as Gary sprinkled breastmilk on the baby so that Belle would lick Hudson's belly.

Seriously?!

Camping Preview

Hey all...went camping this weekend. It was an awesome adventure with my boys and my dogs! I'll post the details later. But for now...here's Hudson rockin it in the tent trailer.



Tell me...what color are those crazy eyes?!?!

XOXO

Where o where?

Where did my itty bitty baby go? Now he's a pulling himself up, camera chasing, big mouth boy! I can swear he's yelling "Mom, stop taking my picture and do something funny!" So I showed him my boobs.

XOXO

Flashback

Day 1 and today (just shy of 7 months later).

XOXO

It might be time.

Time for what? Well, it might just be time to start the no sugar, give my body a good kick start, healthy living kind of thing. Why? Well, there are some solid reasons:

1. I have some baby weight to lose. I gained 30 pounds with Hudson. That's great, I was proud of every. single. pound. I grew that child to perfection! Despite losing 20 pounds right away, I am back up a bit. By a bit, I mean 10 pounds. I think this is mostly because I am not as active (it's dang hot) and I've noticed I eat so fast that I eat a ton! And it's not always healthy.

2. My big baby boy is starting solids. He loves the purees and fruits/veggies mashed and mixed with oatmeal or breast milk (or both). BUT...I want to be able to feed him from my plate. That means what's on my plate needs to be healthy. Period.

3. The weather is starting to cool off and there is no reason not to get out there and do some active adventures with my dudes. I don't want to be a sit in the house and stare at the TV kind of family. Every once and a while, surey bob, but all the time...NOPE!

4. I want to set an example for Hudson. To show him that living healthy is an important lifestyle choice. I want us to live that choice.

5. Last night, after indulging to the max in hamburgers and onion rings from The Wineburger (Oh, wow, yummo)...I was exhausted. Gary and I had talked about getting chocolate shakes since it was his 32 birthday but I was falling asleep. Gary said, "You're falling asleep, I guess you don't want desert huh?". My reply, "That's okay, go get them, I'll wake up for a shake." And I meant it. And I did it. I fell sound asleep as Gary went to get the shakes, I woke up, sucked that bad boy down, and went back to sleep. To me, my friends, that is a problem. I am a total, 100%, sugar addict and it's got to stop!

6. I want to feel as good as I did in this picture:



This was taken in 2005 when Gary and I had been dating for about 9 months. Sure, it would be nice to wear that size dress again...but that really isn't my goal. I want to feel like I did then...super duper sexy! Whether I was or not...that's up to your interpretation...but let's be honest...I was totally HOTT Hot! :)


So there it is...I'll let you know how it goes.

XOXO