Our Little Angel

What I Didn't Know About Becoming a Mother

I was reflecting the other day on how much my life has changed in 2 short years. Instead of office work my days are now filled with nursing, diaper changes, housework, playing trains, reading Curious George, and the list is endless. The journey of motherhood has been challenging at times, and I was thinking about all the things I didn't know before I became a mommy.....and what I know now:

I didn't know giving birth would not go as I had planned.

I didn't know breastfeeding was going to be so difficult.

I didn't know how tired you can be and still function.

I didn't know how many loads of laundry a baby can accumulate.

I didn't know how dirty my house could get after one day "off."

I didn't know hearing my baby cry could make me cry as well.

I didn't know how competitive some mothers can be.

I didn't know I'd have to put my screaming baby down and walk away until I could tend to him with love.

I didn't know how much a baby could affect your love life.

I didn't know how expensive children are.

I didn't know you could read the same story 7 times a day but still look forward to it if it meant snuggling with my child.

I didn't know how my boys came into the world was so very unimportant, but rather that they were healthy and fearfully and wonderfully made.

I didn't know hearing "I love you, Mommy" could overwhelm me.

I didn't know the smell of my newborn was something I'd always remember.

I didn't know looking into my little boys' eyes would be so amazing.

I didn't know having their little fingers wrapped around mine would make everything all right.

I didn't know his hug could make me feel like there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

I didn't know seeing them smile would make my world stand still.

I didn't know the first time I saw my sons I would fall so in love.

I didn't know having another baby could mean loving them both with all my heart.

I didn't know creating something with my husband could be so beautiful.

I didn't know the meaning of unconditional love until I held them in my arms.

I didn't know when my boy got a boo-boo I would feel his pain.

I didn't know how much I could pray.

I didn't know having children would bring my husband and I closer together.

I didn't know how amazing my God was until He wove such perfection within me.

I didn't know how much God really loves us until I tried to fathom the sacrifice of His only son.

Update on Mr. Hyperpants (aka Tennyson)

People keep asking us how Tennyson has done with the new addition to our family, and truthfully......the transition has been pretty smooth overall. However, his patience level is low. Very low. Poor little man was used to having Mommy and Daddy all to himself and now we have to be shared. I know it's good for him so he doesn't grow up thinking the world revolves around him, but it makes for some rough days around here. Maybe it's the "terrible twos" I've heard so much about, or the fact that I was my mother's only strong-willed child out of the bunch and it's since been passed along to my firstborn son, but temper tantrums are in full swing. But we're taking one day at a time, praying alot (for our own outpouring of patience), and making a conscience effort to spend more time just playing with Tennyson.

The good news is he has never, not once, shown any animosity towards Raleigh. In fact, he's ridiculously gentle with him. Tennyson likes to rub Raleigh's head and whisper, "Soft," and he giggles every time Raleigh grabs his finger. Melt my heart! He gets very concerned when Raleigh cries. I keep thinking how much fun it will be when they are 1 and 3 and they can chase each other around. Fun times ahead!

Also, we took Tennyson for his 2-year check-up a few weeks ago and he continues to be way ahead of most kids his age. The doctor was especially thrilled, since he's a boy with no older siblings, that he knows all his colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Tennyson has also started to guess what Tom and I spell to each other. And when we do spell something we don't want him to repeat he loudly says, "Yetters!" Haha! The other day Tom spelled s-a-u-s-a-g-e (because he didn't want Tennyson to beg him for some) and Tennyson guessed what he spelled!!! Oh boy, are we in trouble if he's got it figured out this early!

Tennyson is still hooked on Curious George and was recently introduced to Veggie Tales, which he affectionately calls "Bobby" (a combination of "Bob" and "Larry"). He loves climbing on Daddy's back for "piggy rides," really he loves to do anything with his Daddy. It's precious to see them together. And towards the end of the summer we finally bought a sprinkler, so guess what Tennyson wants to every evening now? He asks for "sprinkles."

Well, I think that pretty much catches us up to date on our little man. I have several more posts to do however, and once I find the time to download almost 500 more photos on the Mac I'll get right on that!