Confessions

I confess...

I am that mom. You know her. The one that only posts pictures of her adorable baby on Instagram. It's not that there isn't anything else fantastic in my life right now, but none of it is pure sweetness crossed with beautiful toothless grins and complete with a scrunched up nose wrinkle. I remember thinking I'd never be this bad about taking pictures of my baby.  I'd never take so many pictures of my baby for social media. Ahhh...young grasshopper... How could I have known that she would be this stinkin cute? I mean, really and truly, she makes the filters look good. I don't care if anyone hates that I'm that mom. Those people probably hate ice cream, rainbows, kittens, and all things good in this world. My baby is presh.

I confess...

You probably wouldn't want me for your child's teacher this year. Ugh. There. I've said it. I'm really ashamed of this one. With not having slept a full night in several weeks and being a slave to the boob, I wouldn't describe myself as the most patient human being when it comes to 5th grade silliness...scratch that...hormones. Your tears over the tear on your math homework will most surely get an eye roll and deep sigh from me. Your girl drama trifecta will each get the "You are being a pot-stirrer and need to mind your own business. You need to be nice. And YOU need to toughen up!"  And don't even dare tell me "You never told us that," or I may just tell you something else complete with unpredictable sentence structure and creative word choice. Boom!  There's your writing lesson, kid.  Like I said, you don't want me teaching your kid this year. 

I confess...

I am still rocking maternity pants. My poor husband doesn't know how to answer when I ask, "Do I look pregnant in this outfit?" Uhhhh...well...you have a giant band of elastic stretching up to your bra; but no, you're all good. I'm sure that's what he has to be thinking. He would never dare say it out loud though. I never planned on sporting these amazingly forgiving britches for this long. I think I must have figured that my hips would pull back towards one another like long lost loves. But no, apparently, they are content on keeping their distance.  I'm holding out hope for them though and encouraging them as often as physically possible. For now, a big thank you goes out to all elastic in my closet. And for all you pants with buttons, I haven't forgotten you. 

Truth be told, I'd like nothing more than to snuggle my little sweetness all day, snap countless photos, and watch her learn new things about her world- all from the comfort of my yoga pants. But unfortunately, I haven't found a way to get paid for that yet. For now, I'll continue to strap on my stretchy pants, smile, and tape up this homework on long division while I mediate girl troubles.  And I'll keep on being that mom with the adorable artsy pics and the witty hashtags; because let's face it, my babe is just too cute not to share.

5 Months New

5 months.  Really?  What a big month you have had!

We spent a weekend with friends at Lake Wateree. 

Mommy's girlfriends, their husbands, and their babies all drove up to Aunt Boogie's house. I laughed about how far I've come from packing my pillow, one bag, and a case of beer.

The weather was delicious, the laughs were infectious, and the food was to die for.  When I am with those girls and their families, I never have a bad time.  My heart is so full, and my confidence becomes unbreakable.  I pray that you find friends like these in your life.  It's hard to make it through anything without them.  I have always said that if you put the 5 of us girls together, you would make a super woman.  This weekend made me realize that you don't need to put us together for a super woman.  Each of them already are rock stars in their own way, and I am so incredibly blessed to call them "my girls".

You found your feet this month and have mastered the happy baby pose. Needless to say, you are quite the happy baby.

We made a trek up to Chapin to Nettie and Papa's.  You hadn't snuggled with your Papa since the 4th of July, so this was a much needed trip.  You got some great snuggles in to hopefully hold you over until our next visit.  Even Yancey got some lovin.

We've added some apples to that rice cereal you love.  You have hardly seemed to even notice. I can't believe we are starting solids. Pretty soon I'm going to look over and you're going to be cutting up a steak. This is crazy.

This past week you gave your first real giggles.  O.M.G.  It has to be the most adorable sound I have ever heard in my life.  Seriously.  It's cuter than puppy whines and kitten purrs.

I'll be honest with you...Going back to work hasn't gotten any easier. 

Every day I'm thinking of ways I can stay at home with you.  As my sweet friend, Meg, put it- I pull in to work on 2 wheels and I get out on 2 wheels.  I think about you all of the time in between.  The only thing that makes it easier is knowing you are in a place where you are loved on.  This month you started going to Miss Christina's in the morning.  You've made some friends there and I'm pretty sure you've stolen Miss Christina's heart. Panda remains your BFF. You are a doll, my sweet.