Getting in front of the lens

A co-worker/friend passed along this article to me recently.  She said it's so true and something she wish she had read years ago when her boys were little.  It's about the mom staying in the pictures.  If you haven't read it yet, it's worth your time.  It really struck a chord with me.  Here we are nearly 12 months into our little guy's year of firsts and I am in a handful of pictures, always feeling the need to be the one to get the picture or to have at least partial hair and makeup in tact.

So when I woke up to the sound of the camera for the picture below, I was fussing at PC.  "Gah... delete that... no makeup, hair is pulled back in a mess... " and he said "but y'all look so sweet together."  I'm glad he didn't listen.  Who cares?  This is how we spend at least half of the night and when our little guy finally starts sleeping through the night, or in a big boy bed, this picture will hold a treasured memory.

And this one.  We're introducing new foods and some don't agree so well with LB's tummy.  This is him with an upset tummy and I just want him to know that I am right there.  My arms wrapped around him, telling him I love him and that I'm so sorry his tummy hurts and I wish I could make it better.

If I hadn't handed the camera over for this, I would have missed the best kiss ever.

From here on out, I am getting in front of the lens and making my best effort to capture those moments that yell "mom is right here!"  And moments that tell a story of how much I love being LB's mom, even if it's not always picture perfect.  

Our Family

For years I have attempted to maintain a level of anonymity here because PC and I are private to a fault.  I also really don't want to share my dysfunctional ovary woes with just anyone IRL. 

But last year those dysfunctional ovaries produced  2 good eggs and I gave birth to 1 super sweet miracle baby, thanks to modern medicine & prayers.

And I can also picture everyone on the blogs that I read the most and truly appreciate that you share so many aspects of your life with people you've never met.  Frankly, it becomes frustrating not always being able to place a face with a name.

Plus I turned 36 yesterday and know there are more important things in life than worrying about any IRL stalkers who are interested in my infertility. 

So there's no time like the present.  The seriously about to kick some butt cowboy PC and his trashy saloon girl Miss Mac and their little outlaw LB are coming out to say hello and that they had a blast this weekend going out of town for a little family adventure.  :]  

Where did the baby go?

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite L.ittle G.olden B.ooks was Where Did the Baby Go?  I have somehow held on to it and it now sits on LB's shelf.  It's a story about a little girl who finds a picture of a baby and asks her mom where she can find this baby.  She looks around the house and finally tries on a hat, smiles in the mirror and realizes that she is the baby in the picture.

 

 I have thought about that book several times recently because I have been asking the same question!

Where did the baby go that once laid in the crib and looked so tiny?

Now we have lowered the mattress because our little baby started turning the monitors on and off!

Where did the baby go that was so excited about seeing a ball?

Now we are running to grab cords and "save him" when he gets stuck behind furniture from chasing a ball!

Where did the baby go that used to ride around in his car seat in the stroller caddy?

Now he looks like such a big boy riding around in a shopping cart!

Where did the baby go with the gummy grin?

Now he has a grin with 3.5 teeth!  (side note:  .5 front tooth has been m.e.a.n :( and please excuse the rice cake crumbs) 

Where did the baby go that had to have pillows under his feet in the Jumperoo?

Now his feet easily touch the ground!

Where did the baby go that needed me the entire bath time?  

Now he needs lots of play time without me (although I am cheering from less than 1 foot away)!

Wow, it feels like LB is growing and changing so much that it won't be long until we are getting ready for school!

Geez, mom!  Quit being so sentimental... I like doing big boy things!  

And some expressions never change:] 

Crazy good times

Life.  Feels so upside down right now but is overflowing with memories that will last a lifetime!  For example, I wanted to check in with the blog world tonight (finally) and post a picture or two, which led to a massive search for my iPhone.  I called it from our land line.  I heard the hum but couldn't figure out for the life of me where it was coming from... until... wait... no, surely I did not...  Um, yes, I did.

See that front pocket of LB's lunch/milk tote?  The front pocket would be the location of my "5 hours in the fridge smart phone" with a dumb baby brain owner!  It's okay, feel free to laugh along with me.

PC (already in the bed) heard me laughing so I proceed to tell him what happened.  His response, "that's not really good for your phone."  Um, babe, do you really think it was intentional?

I had another post in mind but I spent too much time looking for my phone and then defrosting it.  

Crazy good times... how are you all doing? :]

Memorable Moment Monday

I am covered up with returning to work and August/May are the two months of the year that I am stressed to the max with work obligations... but thank goodness that I did not miss this yesterday...

  

those feet are blurry because they are moving and so is LB!  We have a crawl/slither/scoot-er in the house and I just know that he is going to get faster and go further every day now!  Must make time soon for baby-proofing!  By the way, that train is LB's favorite and PC and I frequently have the following tune stuck in our heads "Riding on the train, come and ride with me.  Let's look out the window to see what we can see."  Frequently as in all the time.  Fun times:]