Took a bit of a break from writing, mostly from necessity. We traveled to visit my family over the Easter season, and it was wonderful to see everyone. I got to "show off" my baby like the proud new mama that I am.
Then this past week was a bit hard, because Stephen's teeth came in. He spent a great deal of time fussing and wanting me to hold him. I love my sweet boy and would hold him forever--but my poor arms aren't quite up to the challenge. Stephen is a big kid, and his 20+ pounds are giving me quite the weight training workout! However, he's got two cute little white teeth on the bottom gum to show for it.
I was wondering what to write about, and what seems to come most to my mind is simply the feeling of contentment that (big) Steve and I share right now. It seems like we are both very aware of our blessings at this particular moment in time. Our beautiful son is growing and happy and brings so much joy into our lives. Our neighborhood is teeming with azaleas and blooming trees. Our house is.... a mess, but in the context of a baby I think we're doing pretty darn good. We have loving families and a wonderful community of friends here. We are incredibly lucky to belong to a dynamic, faith-filled parish. Steve's job is steady, and we can afford to have me home with our child. Our marriage is strong, full of laughs, and truly a loving union of two (rather silly but perfectly matched) souls.
It is naive to believe that things will always be so golden--but it's also wrong to not savor the moment when it is present.
I am thankful, I am blessed, I am content!
Showing posts with label SAHM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAHM. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Choir Baby
A member of my church choir died over the weekend, and her funeral was today. She was 95 and had been singing with us for a long time--quietly giving of herself and her music week after week. She was such a beautiful and pleasant lady--always smiling. Monsignor said in his homily that she was the only person he had ever visited in a hospital that was still smiling while hooked up to an intubator.
I'm so glad our choir was there to honor her and give her a truly beautiful funeral Mass. The music our director chose was lovely--peaceful and full of hope. It reminded me of what a ministry music is--it brings an expression of comfort that mere words cannot achieve.
I had to choose between attending the funeral with Stephen in tow, or missing it for fear that he'd be disruptive at such a solemn Mass. He's been working on his "screeching" lately, and I had images of him letting loose a well-timed shriek during the eulogy. Fortunately, I braved the first option, and Stephen proved me wrong. He was so entranced by sitting with the choir and listening to the singing all around him that he completely forgot to make any noise at all. :) Such a great boy.... the only distraction he caused was by people looking at him rather than at our conductor. He's learned how to be quite the charmer!
I was talking with the bass section lead afterwards, and he said that it was obvious how influential it was for Stephen that I was at home with him. "He is just so content and happy with you, and his behavior reflects that." It made me feel so good--an affirmation and reminder that nothing can replace what I am giving Stephen right now. He has the security of knowing his mom is there-- all the time, without fail.
Here's to the music of a long life well-lived, and here's to my choir baby!
I'm so glad our choir was there to honor her and give her a truly beautiful funeral Mass. The music our director chose was lovely--peaceful and full of hope. It reminded me of what a ministry music is--it brings an expression of comfort that mere words cannot achieve.
I had to choose between attending the funeral with Stephen in tow, or missing it for fear that he'd be disruptive at such a solemn Mass. He's been working on his "screeching" lately, and I had images of him letting loose a well-timed shriek during the eulogy. Fortunately, I braved the first option, and Stephen proved me wrong. He was so entranced by sitting with the choir and listening to the singing all around him that he completely forgot to make any noise at all. :) Such a great boy.... the only distraction he caused was by people looking at him rather than at our conductor. He's learned how to be quite the charmer!
I was talking with the bass section lead afterwards, and he said that it was obvious how influential it was for Stephen that I was at home with him. "He is just so content and happy with you, and his behavior reflects that." It made me feel so good--an affirmation and reminder that nothing can replace what I am giving Stephen right now. He has the security of knowing his mom is there-- all the time, without fail.
Here's to the music of a long life well-lived, and here's to my choir baby!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Baby Learning Curve
It is amazing to me how babies learn.
As I watch Stephen grow and develop, I feel as if I can actually see the connections being made in his little head. One day, he won't be able to do something, and the next day it has just "clicked."
Steve and I were grocery shopping this weekend, and I was pushing Stephen in the stroller. As I was debating what kind of pasta to get, I heard a little voice in front of me: "mamamamama..." I turned the stroller around, and there is my little boy looking extraordinarily pleased with himself. He was moving his little jaw up and down, as if he couldn't believe that he was making that noise. He did it again: "mamamama" and added a couple of "B's" to mix it up. For the rest of the day he proceeded to practice this new sound. Even as I write this, Stephen is upstairs in his crib, saying "mamamababa" over and over.
This past week was also the first time that Stephen rolled over, and the first time that he sat up for a decent amount of time by himself. What a big week for little guy!
Steve and I joke around sometimes--wouldn't it be nice to learn like a baby does? Just find that something has "clicked" and all of a sudden you can hit a homerun or skateboard perfectly or knit like a champ. We all learned at that pace at one point--too bad that we slow down the older we get!
I remember teaching music to Pre-K. They never ceased to amaze me with their memories. They would soak up and retain new music with the most incredible speed. I would only have to run a new song with them once or twice before most of the class would have it. Then, a year or two later, the Kindergarteners and 1st graders would often ask me "Can we sing that song we did in Pre-K?" They would then sing the whole thing with no mistakes.... a year later! Wow. Ask me to sing a song I learned at choir practice last week, and I can maybe tell you the first word.
In any case, here's to our little learners-- may they never cease to amaze us!
PS. This is a video we shot last week of Stephen and dad having a great time. :)
As I watch Stephen grow and develop, I feel as if I can actually see the connections being made in his little head. One day, he won't be able to do something, and the next day it has just "clicked."
Steve and I were grocery shopping this weekend, and I was pushing Stephen in the stroller. As I was debating what kind of pasta to get, I heard a little voice in front of me: "mamamamama..." I turned the stroller around, and there is my little boy looking extraordinarily pleased with himself. He was moving his little jaw up and down, as if he couldn't believe that he was making that noise. He did it again: "mamamama" and added a couple of "B's" to mix it up. For the rest of the day he proceeded to practice this new sound. Even as I write this, Stephen is upstairs in his crib, saying "mamamababa" over and over.
This past week was also the first time that Stephen rolled over, and the first time that he sat up for a decent amount of time by himself. What a big week for little guy!
Steve and I joke around sometimes--wouldn't it be nice to learn like a baby does? Just find that something has "clicked" and all of a sudden you can hit a homerun or skateboard perfectly or knit like a champ. We all learned at that pace at one point--too bad that we slow down the older we get!
I remember teaching music to Pre-K. They never ceased to amaze me with their memories. They would soak up and retain new music with the most incredible speed. I would only have to run a new song with them once or twice before most of the class would have it. Then, a year or two later, the Kindergarteners and 1st graders would often ask me "Can we sing that song we did in Pre-K?" They would then sing the whole thing with no mistakes.... a year later! Wow. Ask me to sing a song I learned at choir practice last week, and I can maybe tell you the first word.
In any case, here's to our little learners-- may they never cease to amaze us!
PS. This is a video we shot last week of Stephen and dad having a great time. :)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Like most of the East Coast, Maryland has been blessed with amazing weather this March. I have been taking full advantage of this, since Stephen absolutely loves his stroller. He sits, munches on whatever blanket I have tucked around his legs, and takes in the sights and sounds. I am also loving it, because my walks feel less like "baby entertainment time" and more like "fresh air/exercise/mommy time." Best of both worlds.
Wonderful husband and I have also started our garden. AKA he dug up the ground while I watched. But I am very excited about the whole thing, and I have this idea that I'll even try my hand at canning this year. I love pickles (my whole life, not just during pregnancy :) ) and I'd like to try making my own.
I'm realizing how domestic this all sounds.... but really, it's the simple joys of my new life and vocation. I wouldn't trade this for the world--even on the days where Stephen is screaming his fool little head off. :) I know society often looks at SAHM (stay-at-home moms) condescendingly for not pursuing the career path. But this IS a career--and one with quite a learning curve! While it doesn't feel like every action has incredible value and growing power (for example, the 10th diaper of the day), I know that each small moment is making me a bit more competent as a mom and more selfless as a woman. Good things to plant in my own personal garden.
Wonderful husband and I have also started our garden. AKA he dug up the ground while I watched. But I am very excited about the whole thing, and I have this idea that I'll even try my hand at canning this year. I love pickles (my whole life, not just during pregnancy :) ) and I'd like to try making my own.
I'm realizing how domestic this all sounds.... but really, it's the simple joys of my new life and vocation. I wouldn't trade this for the world--even on the days where Stephen is screaming his fool little head off. :) I know society often looks at SAHM (stay-at-home moms) condescendingly for not pursuing the career path. But this IS a career--and one with quite a learning curve! While it doesn't feel like every action has incredible value and growing power (for example, the 10th diaper of the day), I know that each small moment is making me a bit more competent as a mom and more selfless as a woman. Good things to plant in my own personal garden.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)