Portrait of a Mother

Tonight as I was handing the teenage cashier my card at Chick-fil-a, I thought to myself "These kids must think I am a very sad, lonely woman."  There I was in my t-shirt and pajama pants with my hair sliding down from its place atop my head and my face on the greasy side because I hadn't had a chance to shower yet, alone in my car getting a large soup and chargrilled sandwich.  I'm sure they thought I was just some crazy woman off to drown her sorrows in an overly large portioned meal.  I didn't tell them that my husband had a large lunch that day and only wanted a sandwich and I am fighting some congestion that is the result of forgetting to take my allergy medicine for about a week and soup sounded heavenly (it was).  No, I just informed him that I would not like any sauces, took my card back and drove back home to my family.  On my drive I realized that this is what happiness looks like for me right now.  Who cares that it looks like sloppy sadness to everyone else?  I'm a mom.  Sometimes sacrifices must be made.  Unfortunately, right now the thing I sacrifice most is a shower.  One day I will be a cute mom and everyone will see my happiness right away.  Today is not that day.  Today is the day everyone looks at me and sees a wreck but I know better.  I know that I wouldn't trade these dark circles, greasy face and crazy hair for anything because they are all marks of my motherhood.  They are proof that happiness is found through love and sacrifice.  I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn that through loving and sacrificing for these two adorable people!

Test Baby

Lydia Jane has thrush. I told her as soon as she came home from the hospital that she was going to be the victim of Cory and me learning to be parents. Sadly, the poor girl has already suffered because of this. When I first saw the thrush, I thought it was milk. It wasn't until she had it for a couple days and had been really fussy that I called and asked my mom if she could possibly have ulcers. I described to her what was going on and she immediately said "oh, that's thrush." Why didn't I think of that? Well, I had no idea what thrush really was. I had heard the horror stories but I had no idea what the symptoms were. It is moments like these, when there is something obvious I have forgotten to learn or do, that I feel badly for our little girl. When I think about all the things I don't know about parenting, it sort of overwhelms me. I've thought about reading parenting books, but I just can't make myself purchase one. I am crazy about reading reviews before I buy something. From the reviews I read about baby books, I have realized that it is entirely a game if chance. What an author suggests may work for your child and you love the book, or it may not work and you hate it. Basically, trying to fit your child into some experts box has a 50/50 chance of being a terrible idea.  So for now I'm sticking with my What to Expect in the First year and hope that between that, my favorite mom blogs, and my own mom we will make it through!
I am also terrible at delivering medicine. As evidence, a picture of Lydia Jane in a gown she wore for less than 12 hours.





Raise your hand if your mom shoots medicine down your throat and gets more on your clothes than in your mouth.
As sad as that picture is, I think it looked worse in person. She now gets her medicine like this:





In good news, it took me so long to complete and publish this post, she is now better!  So I guess at least some of that medicine actually made it into her mouth. :)

Lydia Jane's Birth Announcement

Contemporary Cute Girl Baby Announcements

Create beautiful birth announcements with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

I'm really happy with how it turned out and it was super easy to do as well!  The photos were done by my fabulous best friend, Naomi Jennings.
Naomi Jennings Photography

Happy One Month Birthday, Lydia!

Our baby girl is one month old today! I can hardly believe it. It has been such a blessing to have her in our lives. We love you, LJ!


Lydia Jane at 1 month old.
Likes: mommy, milk, gas medicine, being held, sound machine, lights, Daddy's singing, baths, relaxin'
Dislikes: changing clothes, drying off, car seats, cribs

Silly Snippets

"Our baby likes my beard because it combs her hair while she's sleeping. "





"Penguins are not found at the North Pole."
"I don't think there are any animals at the North Pole."
"Yes there are! Reindeer!"





"Why doesn't he shoot?! He's wide open!"
"That man doesn't shoot; he dunks it!"

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Right Now

We are loving...

Sleepy Smiles
Milk Face



Singing Lullabys
Watching Pride and Prejudice with our girl



Burrito Baby



Kissy Faces



Wide Eyes



Hands in the air



Scrunchy wake up face



And basically every other thing about our Lydia Jane...

Lydia Jane Watts

Our girl finally arrived on Thursday, January 26th at 4:56 pm.  She weighed 7lbs. 9 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long.  We are so in love and enjoying every minute with our sweet girl!