I have to say that motherhood has been the most lovely adventure I've been on so far.
It all started five years ago for me. I was completely clueless -- as we all are, no matter how many books we read or classes we drag our husband to prior to the birth. The idea of raising another human, a sweet little baby, seemed pretty neat to my naive brain -- then he was placed in my arms and all of a sudden the concept of motherhood was overwhelming and too all-important a thing to even fathom.
My focus became this kid. I quit my job, a job I truly liked and where I was on track for another promotion, two weeks after I went back to work after maternity leave without much of a backward glance...I knew exactly where my heart was and what I wanted to be spending my days doing. I don't think this is necessary/healthy for every mama out there...but for me it was. I had prayed fervently that God would lead me where he wanted me to be...and He gave me a clear answer.
Hanging out with this kid. Learning to be a mama. Still learning.
Cormac still rocks my world almost every day. Now having the experience of being both a boy and a girl mom, I see the differences and they are lovely.
Cormac has endless thoughts running through his head, and is constantly buzzing with the energy of one who is trying to get the most out of every moment of his day. Even when he is watching a show on TV, he is also bouncing on the couch or building a trap.
He loves to draw out plans for tanks, ships, and treasure maps. I enjoy watching his magical world of adventure enfold every day.
He is super bossy and quite controlling. I think this may be a "first child" thing, but wow! He thinks he gets to make all the rules and if they are not followed to a T he can get quite worked up. We are working on how to be an effective leader, not a tyrant.
I know we live in a parenting world where we are supposed to turn up our noses at our kids having lots of toys ("don't spoil them!!!!" or "get those kids outdoors, not in their room!") but I'll openly admit that I delight in Cormac's obsession with toys. (Finola does not have this at all.) I love the stories he makes up about his "guys" and finding fake spiders everywhere and hearing him make sound effects to go along with all his elaborate stories. I love that he gets SO excited about cool stuff he sees at Target (like his mama.) I think maybe it is not even the toy aspect, but just seeing my kid have such JOY about something! You see the eyes light up and how exuberant he gets telling you all about whatever it is...and that is just plain cool to me. I remember being like that about things...and still am about certain things. Nothing compares to a child's joy, though.
He is still a bit small for his age, but smart and healthy. I'll take it!
His emotions run the gamut! He feels every feel really fully, which I can totally relate to.
Cormac completed his second year of pre-school and did awesome! He now can easily write his name and count past one hundred. He gets kinda frustrated with sounding out words...but we've discovered that he does better with an online phonics program he can navigate independently rather than someone teaching him one on one.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the past year of my favorite little boy in the whole wide world...
On a Target date with mama. He always picks Target for our dates...which is awesome.
He loves finding sticks that magically transform into weapons. Notice Finola "hiding" in the background!
first day of 4's pre-school!
enjoying the snow!
very sweet with small babies, like his cousin Sloane.
hanging with sis at the library.
this couch, fairly new, has already taken a beating from constant jumping, fort making, and lounging weirdly.
5th bday! this is pre-party at our house...darth vader theme, as he loves "bad guys"
a darth vader costume was a must.
Birthday party fun! This was the first party where we stuck with inviting his "friends" -- a loose term at five, but still cool to actually see some relationships that have bloomed!
Very skeptical during his first hibachi grill experience. He is skeptical about most things.
Dressed as the hulk. He loves putting on costumes!
Creepy faces are his jam.
I'm sure this was totally safe (photo taken by Dada)
Tried soccer this year. He didn't love it.
Forever this kid is picking flowers for mama.
Singing in his Christmas program - went better this year!
Helping mama make his favorite cookies for Santa-- chocolate chip with M&M's!
Mama and son. His looks favor his Dada overall...but he's got my eye color, nose and lips!
Collecting shells on the beach during our Gulf Shores trip. He always finds a project to do!
This kid has my heart.
He built the throne behind that Finola is sitting on -- he was so proud!
Halloween is still hands down his favorite holiday!
As a creepy skeleton for Halloween!
Blowing out the candles at his bouncy house party!
So five years have passed in a heartbeat.
From the moment I first held you, all gooey and new...
...to barely being able to get you to stop moving for a hug at your 5th birthday party!
The world is yours, little Mac! I hope year six is amazing and full of new adventures!
It was one of those moments that strike you out of no where, that you know will hold some significant meaning in your life...even if you don't know why yet.
We were pretty much kids ourselves, age twenty, spending spring break in Mexico - years before I knew Paul was going to be my husband, much less the father of my babies. We had broken up a few months before, and the trip to Cancun was, I suppose, just wishful thinking on both our parts that we might get back together.
One day when we were down at the pool there were some really young boys playing "pool basketball." Paul joined in with them enthusiastically. I sat poolside and observed, impressed that he would take time to hang eight-year-olds on his spring break. He was very patient with them, and just plain sweet. I don't know why, but as I watched him interacting with those kids I had a "moment." Just like the first time I met him, when I felt all the air rush out of me in an exhilarating whoosh of excitement. Or like years later, on a camping trip with my family, when it dawned on me, with perfect clarity, that I would not marry any man but him.
Moments like that are like guideposts - where something stirs inside you, and you think, "I don't know why, but I'll always remember this." God is leading you, revealing something important, speaking through that moment...as simple and normal as the moment may seem.
Paul ended up being what I saw that day down at the pool. Patient and fun, a dad who enjoys playing with and teaching our kids. He also ended up being so much more!
While neither of us are perfect parents by any means, but rather just muddling through, I'm grateful to have a partner in that muddling who knows how to have fun with our babes, and who loves them and delights in their stubborn, spirited, yet sweet personalities. A man who works super hard to support our family financially, and spends the rest of his "free" time either working on our crazy home renovation or spending quality time with us. He is a pretty unselfish husband and father.
Recently when Paul first watched the slideshow for Finola's birthday, he asked, sounding somewhat bruised, "Where am I in all these photos???" In truth, he was only in a few. We laughed about it a bit, but it makes sense : I stay at home with the kids full time so he just ends up on proportionately fewer photos.
But, here you go, babe...this one's for you! We love you and are infinitely grateful for your hard work at your "real job" and all that you do to make our 'house a home.'
Happy belated Father's Day!
I swear, one day, you'll get your gifts on time. When the kids are grown, perhaps.
Although my small friend circle has gone through quite a metamorphosis, particularly in the past year, I know my friendship with my roommates from my second year of college is a lasting one.
It began by us randomly getting matched as roommates at a college apartment building sixteen years ago. As we all know, cohabitation with a person can make or break a relationship...and I am thankful ours has thrived! We have been through good times and bad. We have each had our conflicts with each other, and lived through them -- through honesty we have ultimately coming out closer. We have inspired and encouraged each other throughout the years. In fact, it was during our first "Roomie Reunion", back in 2010, that my friend Beth convinced me to finally start this very blog!
We currently live in all different parts of the country, but don't have to see each other or talk all the time to stay close. While I have reservations and cynicism about social media "friendships" - I appreciate it specifically because of friendships like these. A way for friends and family who are far apart to still "see" each other and stay connected visually.
It has been a joy to watch these women grow and change throughout the years, each becoming stronger and more beautiful. Each becoming closer to God. (No coincidences here, folks.)
I am excited to see where our lives take us from this point on!
Last weekend we had our fourth weekend reunion trip together, and our time at Kristina's home in hot, gorgeous Georgia was so much fun.
fresh off the plane in ATL - reunited!
stopped for lunch at a spot in the "Central Park" of Atlanta
Beth and I split that "fishbowl" - I think it was my first, and my last.
Cheers!
of course I came armed with my trusty selfie stick.
back at K's lovely home, we got comfy, cracked open some wine and did yoga. seriously, we did. not just for these posed shots.
inexplicably we all enjoy red wine and yoga!
all the hydrangea down south are beautiful blue due to the soil acidity -- I was in heaven!!!!!
Beth kept us entertained the entire weekend with her Bill Clinton impersonations and random comments.
Kristina taught a Body Flow class and we got an awesome workout with some of her regulars!
my last photo before my selfie stick broke. post workout.
stopped in a cute little town and had a yummy lunch of fish bites, fresh garden salad, and lobster bisque.
good food, tasty drinks, and exposed brick?!?! perfection.
we are butterflies!
we don't miss any photo op, obviously!
despite me getting bit by a fish, we had a chill time hanging at the beach
dinner out our last night. we were literally (beth!) the only ones in this cool restaurant. I wish you could see the dramatic, huge, white leather, high-backed couch we were sitting on!!!
We definitely made some memories and had some moments of growth during this trip.
I love you, ladies!
Excited to see what the next year brings all of us!
