Pics from past couple weeks

Here are a few recent shots of Ashley, along with a few from her "Stockton Aunties'' visit, and from Mother's Day. It was my first official Mother's Day and it was very nice! Matt made me breakfast in bed--yummy french toast, and gave me a gift certificate to get a massage!! Later that day we went and had a picnic at the park. It was a fun, relaxing day. I told him that this is such a special time--we get both the joy of celebrating being a parent to such a special little girl, and we also are in a time of our lives when our parents are alive and well to honor and celebrate as well.

Ashley's Stockton Aunties came for a visit. My friends Michelle, Keeley, Liz and Jenn came down for a few days. We had a fun time! They loved meeting and playing with Ashley. We also went out to eat a couple of times, shopped till we dropped, played some games, caught up on life and reminisced about our college days..

The top pics are most recent. Ashley has discovered her feet, and I took a cute pic of her multi-tasking, one hand in the mouth and the other hanging onto her foot! She is too cute!!

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests
or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

_____________________

Borrowed these from a friend's blog...

Inspiration for Mothers.

I love reading things that inspire me as a Mother. I am always searching. I am always learning. I found these two poems last night and I wanted to share them. They are so very true.



It’s not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It’s not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it;
“Come here!” I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
“Come here,” I said –
He looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
And the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art –
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love, and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words –
Keep it out of your voice.
~Author Unknown



I took a piece of plastic clay.
And idly fashioned it one day.
And as my fingers pressed it, still
It moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when days were past:
The bit of clay was hard at last.
The form I gave it still it bore,
And I could fashion it no more!

I took a piece of living clay,
And gently pressed it day by day,
And moulded with my power and art
A young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years had gone:
It was a woman I looked upon.
She still that early impress bore
And I could fashion it no more.
~ Author Unknown

4 Months Old!!!

Our baby girl is 4 months old today!! Hard to believe it! Here are some pictures from today.

Ashley has officially moved from a cuddly little baby into the fun and exploring stage. She now (not so gently) likes to grab and bat at things, including your face (nose, mouth, etc). She thinks it's hysterical.

She also does this thing where she opens her mouth wide, and almost suck on your face. She does it a lot after I give her kisses, so I swear she is mirroring me and trying to "give kisses" back. It's all nasty and slobbery, but I think it's sooo sweet at the same time.

Also, when I am burping her over my shoulder, she now likes to feel the texture of the couch or her rocking chair fabric.

She also definitely giggles now. It's too cute. Along with noises, she has now started other noises, like her "guinea pig" whimpers/whines every now and then. That new milestone I could live without, but she's still a sweetie!

Also, she has figured out how to scoot herself from the middle of the crib down to the bottom by kicking her way there. She kicks so hard that you can hear it from downstairs. Lol.

I have a feeling she will be rolling from her back onto her stomach soon, since she is getting about 3/4 of the way there.

She continues to be a joy and blessing. It's a mixed feeling--in one way I am sad to see my young little infant growing up so quick, but at the same time it's been so fun watching her grow and change. It is so much fun and she just gets cuter and cuter. I love my baby girl!

Wow, 4 months old...