The Old and Young, Love McDonalds

Since this blog is like a journal for me, here is something I thought about today. Hayden and I went to the mall to look for a dress (for me) for his baptism. No luck since I'm bigger than Dolly up top, but back to my old shape (super skinny) every where else. It's quite comical actually.

Anyway, we went to the food court to eat lunch. While there I observed something quite funny. Those people who were eating McDonalds, and there were a lot, were either children or old people. Why is that? I mean I understand the children part, but the old people must go for it because of the senior citizens discount and familiarity of it? It was funny to witness and ponder it.

First Church Visit

Coming back from his first church visit. You can see by his face, he was stunned by the Catholic church. HA! Also, a picture of his smile. He's so cute!

Adorable

Movie Review- Okay, so I watched High School Musical on Disney today. It was literally the only decent thing on TV this afternoon, which should tell you the sad state of TV these days. I love a good musical and it's so innocent and good. So there, I liked it. It was a breath of fresh air and that Zac kid is ADORABLE. If you want a light hearted thing to watch on a night when you're home sick (or have a newborn) and in your pj's, get this one.

Brighter Than Sunshine

It seems lately I've felt a dark cloud over me. Mostly, it is exhaustion and frustration with the baby not sleeping and constantly feeding. These last few days have changed and now I feel the sunshine peeking out of the clouds. The last few days, Hayden has slept for 4 hour intervals at first then up every two hours after that. This has made me feel almost human again. A four hour interval of sleep allows me to wake up and feel rejuvenated. I know most are saying, four hours? Yes, it's a large chunk of time. Before I was getting up every hour and a half- all night long. I can look at Hayden and know what he wants when he cries. We're working hard on getting him to accept a bottle and this too had helped. It's a challenge each day, but I can feel the dark cloud exiting and the sunshine entering again in to my world.

A hard realization and entered my thoughts though. Only 6 weeks left and I'll return to work and Hayden will enter daycare. This topic has been a hard one between Robert and I. Neither of us wants to put him in daycare, but if I'm going back to work, we don't have a choice. It will be hard to leave him with strangers, but honestly I look forward to a break and getting back to work. Another part of me is in such a routine and a comfort with staying home that I wonder if I couldn't just stay home with him. I think every parent has these same mixed feelings on the topic.

We're starting to get ready for Hayden's baptism which is mid-September. We have about 20 people who will be attending including many family members and family flying in for the occasion. It will be great to have everyone here for such a big and important event. However, part of me dreads it because I know that is the last hurrah and a few weeks later, I'm back at work. SIGH. One day at a time, God will show us what we're to do.

Hardest Job

So, I was thinking last night at 4 am while I was rocking Hayden about motherhood. I was also watching Oprah the other day and she said, "the hardest job in the world is being a parent." First of all, being cynical and not liking Oprah I thought, how would she know? So, last night I thought about it and figured it out. It is the hardest job, not only because of the great responsibility of it. It is because it is the job that NEVER ends. I know I have 18 plus years of Hayden, but that's not quite it either. It is because you are "on" 24- hours a day, 7 days a week. You don't get a break AT ALL. For those of you who don't have kids, think about going to work and having a good day, but with a lot of stress. Then take that feeling and think that you have to do it day in and out with no release. You can't go and have a beer and relax, or go home and forget about it, you just have to get through it, day in and day out. It's the toughest job.

Nap Time

Everyone always tells me to sleep when the baby is sleeping. As if this is possible. I'm only tired when he is wide awake! Well it seems it was nap time for Hayden this afternoon (after a tummy ache, I put him on his belly to see if it would help, it did he went immediately to sleep in this position). When I looked down, another family member, Kudzu, took his cue and was taking a nap too. Enjoy.

The Men In My Life

I was thinking this afternoon about the men in my life. First of all, I have to gush on Hayden, who is the sweetest baby. We've turned a corner and I smile just when I look at him. He makes me happy just when he sleeps so sweetly or cries because he is hungry. I am proud of him and being his mother. It is a joy that I never knew I would like this much. He is growing so quickly, it's amazing. He is getting longer and stronger. He even smiled at Robert (we're pretty sure it wasn't just his normal passing of gas).

My husband is wonderful. He has been extremely patient with the new baby and helps us out so much. Though I'm sure he is frustrated at times because he can't help with Hayden as much as he wants to, but it's getting better (aka, I'm attempting to give up a little control, which isn't easy for me). He's working hard both at work and at home and not skipping a beat. He is great and I am so lucky to have him in my life. He has given me the two greatest gifts that I am most proud of, being his wife and the mother of his son.

That's my gush for the day. I hope you're all appreciating your loved ones today.