Fun Times

Zoë met Santa Friday at the Bass Pro Shop. We had fun and she loves riding in her stroller. I think she looks so adorable in her Christmas dress my parents bought for her.

Also, she is learning to read the Sunday paper with GiGi.

Turning 31

Okay, so I turn 31 tomorrow! I am taking my final PTO day to spend with my girls this year. The perfect day...to spend time with G and Zoë.

I almost have my Christmas shopping finished. That's what we will probably do tomorrow, finish up odd and ends for Christmas and I have to renew my license! What a drag, time at the DMV is not my idea of Birthday fun! Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season.

We took Zoë to the MD Monday b/c we thought she had an ear infection, which she doesn't! Thank you Lord! It turns out to be related to teething. Well she weighed 16 pounds, 7 ounces at 28 inches long! My girl is getting so big!

It is a wonderful life!

Okay, so I'm not usually one for serious blogs (from me) and it's not often that I unload and send some message into cosmic cyperspace. But if you haven't read the last blog I posted, read it and come back to this one b/c it is the basis for this blog. I received an email from G and I just had to posted b/c it made me cry like the big baby I have been with the worst hormonal roller coaster of my life. Last year when we decided to have a baby I knew it would change my life and I was in for the ride and experience of a lifetime, but I didn't realize the extent it would change me. Zoë has changed me and I am a better person because of her and my love for her. I now know all of those times my mom and Genia tried to explain to me the lengths a mother will go for her children, to help them even if it's not the wisest decision by other people's standards or outlooks. So many times I have judged others for helping their children stating "they will never learn if you keep stepping in. How will they ever learn to stand on their two feet?". Now I understand the ache and pain a mother feels when her child suffers. I would do anything to keep Zoë from hurting or to protect her. I've also seen that judging is not my job, and yet I find myself trying to "help" the Good Lord do his job. He is the judge, not me. Zoë has taught me how wonderful motherhood is and everytime she does something new I want to shout it on the rooftop b/c it is the most important thing to me and I somehow in my little head think everyone else wants to know her newest little development that is so huge to me! She now knows how to blow and blew sweet potatoes all over me this weekend. :) So if you read my blog and wonder why it's full of Zoë's latest developments it's b/c I think some of you might really care to read about her and also b/c my life revolves around her.
The world stops in the afternoons and I rush home to pick her up and half the time I don't answer the phone at night b/c nothing is as important as those 2 or 3 hours with her before she goes to bed. So FYI to all the ones I love out there, please don't get mad when I don't answer. I only have 2 to 3 hours with her at night and I will call you back when I have a free moment.
Have any of you other working mothers out there feel guilty for leaving your little one all day while you go off to work to try to make a living to provide for your family? I do everyday, and I have had a terrible time trying to balance work and family. I went back to work on August 4th, and last month was the first month I didn't cry every single day! I was so convinced that I wasn't depressed! But I was! I had such a hard time being away from Zoë and I thought it was suppose to get better once you had done it for a while, but it kept getting worse and there was a period of time that I had trouble doing by job b/c I could not quit thinking about her even though I knew Aunt Debbie was taking good care of her.
I have finally realized that my house is going to suffer for the next 18 years and so be it!!! I always thought having a spotless or clean house was really important b/c its a reflection upon me. I still feel that way, so guess what, I hired someone to help me rather than trying to do it all myself! I'd rather have that than dinner out or something else extra each month! That's more time I have with my little BooBoo Bella.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Full of family and friends. May your house be as messy as mine and may the memories of your children be of having the best time and cleaning up the mess later! Because, believe me, the mess will wait but our children are growing up every second with every breath we take and I don't want to miss a moment of it!

Finally - Words to describe my now wonderful chaotic life and the way I love my child!

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play. Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together. Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by. Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys. Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening I won’t send you to your room to play, but I will wait to fold the clothes or clean the kitchen and play a game with you.Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore. And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a Little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day...........

Thanksgiving

Zoë's first Thanksgiving was so much fun. We spent the day at my grandparents house in Wadley. We ate and then we played touch (haha) football in the front yard like we did when we were kids. My team lost, sorry Genia, Timmy, Kristin, and Callie! Kudos to Tab, Hayden, Jayde, Jacob and Uncle Rickey! The only people missing were my little brother and his fiance, Haleigh. I just want to say how thankful I am to have my family back in my life.

Friday G and I went shopping for a while and Aunt Debbie watched Zoë. So I spent Saturday wrapping presents! Zoë loved playing with the ribbon and bows! I try to post pics of her in some of her cute Christmas outfits.