I’ve often heard people say “the days are long, but the years are short,” and I’ve recently come to realize how true that is. It’s incredible to raise a tiny human and watch her learn and discover new things every day, but man... it can be exhausting some times! Mommin’ ain’t easy, especially while working full time, managing life, and finding time to be a partner and not just a room mate to my husband. Social life? Yeah right. Some day.... (Sidenote: Adam, you are my ride or die <3 and I’m so blessed to journey this path with you. In case I forget to tell you this, it’s in writing now. ) But honestly, I wouldn’t trade ANY of this for ANYTHING. This is the life I’ve dreamed about living for a long time. The days can feel so long, but when you look back at how the time passes, it’s flying by at an alarming rate. Sometimes I stop to pinch myself and have to remember to stay present... these perfect moments are fleeting. Case in point: I had no idea that this time last week was the last time I would ever cuddle my baby and give her a bottle before bedtime. Now, she’s a big girl and sits by my side to read her bedtime story while she drinks from a big girl sippie cup. Another moment and milestone has come and gone. Moments like these give me pause to look back at where we’ve come in the last year and a half. Even in the time since my last post. It’s been ten months. Ten Months ago... we were preparing for Eleanor’s surgery, terrified about the outcomes and holding her so tight to keep her safe and healthy. Ten months ago, we had never taken her to the zoo, to wander the mall, to a play place, a birthday party, or family gathering. Ten months ago, we had no idea what the future would hold or that we would be pregnant with another miracle baby... one that we thought could NEVER be possible without the help of reproductive technology. But here we are. Ten months later. Baby girl is due to arrive in 18 days. Fleeting moments pass and become memories and new ones lurk at the surface, waiting to erupt. Ten months ago, Eleanor was just starting to crawl. To babble and coo. She had the roundest head. She hadn’t yet said “mama” or melted my heart with “beyyyy youuuuuuu” (I love you). She didn’t yet know how to say “NO!” or “MINE!” and give sassy attitude while refusing to hand over her fork or throwing her sippie. She couldn’t yet give hugs and blow kisses that could melt icebergs. Being a parent is indescribable. It’s joy and pain like I’ve never felt before. It’s a love in my heart that burns so hot it brings tears to my eyes. It’s everything. Here are some of the moments I don’t ever want to forget over this last year and a half of my daughters life... Good and bad. No matter how long the days are. Because now I know, the years are short. Not in chronological order, here are some big moments over the last 10 months. 1. Our first trip to church and brunch after <3 2. Eleanor first time in the snow. She was so excited she ran out of the car with daddy and jumped in. Then she realized how cold it was.... 3. Eleanor’s first swim lesson. She loves the water! 4. Our first family vacation with Sharon, Mike and Henry (and of course Millie!) to Manistee. We ate a lot of sand this trip. It felt amazing to be free of the house. 5. Why not have a pose with a rubber chicken? I walked into the playroom to see this and snapped a photo mid-Braveheart yell. This still cracks me up and will be the background on my phone forever. 6. Our big girl turned one. She choose the “egg” for her il-quiccija, indicating a life of prosperity and everything her heart desires <3 7. Our first time out of state to visit the cousins. She had such a great time. The weather was beautiful and the girls enjoyed lots of outdoor play, uncle’s smokey barbecue, and snuggles with ciocia. Amma and Nanny loved on them all. It was lovely. 8. Our first visit to the grocery store. I’ll never forget how Eleanor bounced her legs in the cart and smiled to go faster. She looked in awe at everything. Then she passed OUT in the car on the way home. So tired. 9. Our first visit to the zoo was with Aidan, Sadie, Aunt Alana, and Uncle Johnny. It was magic. We went on a train ride, had lunch, and visited the penguins. Perfection. 10. Nana and Poppi’s overnight. They spoiled her rotten, as always, and she tore up the house. Adam and I took time to ourselves and visited Las Vegas. Little did we know... baby 2 was in the works! 11. First time to the beach. Lots of sun and sand this day at Auntie Jodie’s! 12. We visited daddy at work for his first high school marching band performance. Eleanor crawled around the dirty turf and ate tiny rubber pieces from the fake grass. The dog peed all over it. Miss Trina and the kids loved all over E. It was perfect. Even if it was a million degrees out. 13. Eleanor’s first pony tail. OMG. 14. Our first visit to the mall with Elisa, Felix and Frankie. Eleanor loved running through the splash pad in her diaper, sporting her new zipper club scar. I kept thinking about what a tiny badass she was/is. 15. OMG the carseat war. This day, not sure where we were going, but we were in a parking lot waiting for daddy. Eleanor pooped a big one and I had to change her in the car while we waited. Then she strongarmed me and refused to sit back in her high chair. It was so hot this day and I was frustrated that she wouldn’t sit, but I laughed until I cried and my stomach hurt. She just kept turning around and standing, no matter how hard I tried to buckle her in... she was too fast for me even then. 16. Day one of going back to work for a new school year. Up until this point, Amma and Nannu took Eleanor for her days when I went to work. We have them to thank for all of her strength and resilience during her first year before surgery. They kept her strong and healthy. Today marked a new beginning: I survived taking her to daycare for the first day of the 2017/18 school year. I didn’t cry until day 2. I was very proud! 17. Eleanor decided she didn’t need me during the day anymore- Aunt Barb and Uncle Bill filled her soul with a new joy for life and learning. She continues to blossom under their care. She’s learning how to share, blow kisses, be kind, feed her dollies and go for walks with friends. They paint, explore, play, have beach parties inside. Aunt Barb sends me home treats and cookies to feed E, Adam, I and our growing babe inside of me. We are INCREDIBLY blessed. Thinking of what gift God has given our family renders me speechless. We are so so lucky. 18. Eleanor is a big sissy! She is ready for “Ooooceeyyy” to arrive any day now... maybe.... LOL. Below are from our 18th Month half birthday <3
1. Eleanor takes off her pants and tells mommy “poop in potty.” Let’s be honest... nobody is fooled by you saying that. We both know you just want to go read naked in the bathroom. And no, I will not apologize for saying as such when you’re reading this as a teenager. 2. Remember when you were a baby and laid on this raccoon? Now you are as big as it. Sighhhhhh. 3. Eleanor loves to brush “teet” in the morning, all by herself. She sucks off all the tooth base and says “dooo done.” 4. My big girl loves “Sparty” and can choose her sippy in the morning. Sometimes she wants Sunshine, sometimes her Sparty cup from Auntie Sharon. She loves milk. 5. Waking up with “bun” in the morning. First thing we do is say “bye bye bahti” (paci) and put it on the shelf. Then we put bun in his drawer and open the shade and shout “Morning!” It’s perfection. 6. This week, we started signing “Twinkle” and “ABC.” You can tell it’s a song, even if the words aren’t all there. It’s awesome. Here she is with her owl from U of M, during the hospital stay for her OHS it kept her company in her crib. This owl makes me cry on the regular. Dumb bird. LMAO. 7. Here we go with Twinkle the owl again. She manages to stay sane while I change her diaper. 8. Aforementioned raccoon from above (picture 2) today and from her two week picture. Look at those skinny little legs. 9-11. Crib sass. Enough Said. She is VERY close to climbing out. I’m praying we can keep her in here for a while longer until we get the baby settled. 12. Raccoon rides again =)
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AuthorHere we are! Adam, Lauren, Nora, and of course our fur baby Baxter. This is our story. Archives
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