Where does time go?

Do you remember when we were little kids and we couldn't wait to get older? We would constantly wish to be older, try to be taller, bigger, smarter, and faster. The cooler kids were ALWAYS older. We were jealous of those who could drive before us, see an R rated movie before us, legally have a beer before us... but the one thing I've noticed now that I have a child is that all I want is for time to slow down.

I cannot believe that Isabella will be one year old a month from today. It brings tears to my eyes and a knot in my stomach when I think about it. I want to push the pause button and remember today. I want to remember the barrel of belly laughs and squeal that I got when I kissed her neck this afternoon... I want to remember the way she flapped her whole arm at me when she waved goodbye this morning when I dropped her off at my Mom's house for a couple of hours. I want to always remember the way she snuggles into my shoulder when she's sleepy and the way that she prefers me to hold her over everyone else. And yet, somehow, I know that in a few years from today-- chances are good that I won't remember these little moments quite as well and they will only be filled with other great moments with her.

My own mother, who I look up to more each day, recently told me that as we get older and our experiences get richer and more meaningful that time speeds up. She even said that she should have a discussion with Stephen Hawkings about the scientific findings of this fact :) I think she is right. And while I wish time would slow down each day I wake up to Bella's beautiful smiling face, I am so excited to wake up to see her that every single moment.. .every single smile, tear, poopy diaper and laugh... are more amazing than the last. And THOSE are the things that I wouldn't trade for anything. Not anything-- and that makes aging worth every second. :)

On that note, I end this post with one of my favorite quotes...

"Dance like no on is watching, work like you don't need the money and love like you've never been hurt before."

My first real Mama

This post is slightly sappy, so bear with me. Yesterday Isabella said "Mama" for the very first time, and I think she meant it. It was probably the most special moment for me with her (besides her birth, of course) so far. I've never in my life felt such a rush of love and excitement as I did in that one very second. I know it totally sounds bizarre, but that's the only way I can describe it. 

She's been saying "mmm-mmmm" for awhile now. She does it constantly, so its not anything new. Yesterday I put her in her high chair around lunch time so I could make her some food. She was doing her "mmmmm" and I was talking to her like always. Then, she got quiet and I turned around to fill her sippy with water when I heard-- clear as day-- "MA-MA!" I  couldn't believe it! I turned around, smiled and said, "yes baby??" She grinned that huge adorable grin at me with her two little teeth and kicked her little feet. Then I felt the mist in my eyes and I was so excited! She said Mama! And she was talking to ME! Of course I kept saying it back to her and kept trying to get her to do it again and she thought THAT was hilarious, and didn't do it again, but we'll work on it. But I'm definitely counting that moment as the first "Mama" and writing it down in her baby book. She knew exactly who she was talking to and that she was trying to get my attention. It was so amazing to feel like she knew that I was "Mama" and that she needed me... and that she is learning to communicate so well. I just love this little girl more than I could ever imagine loving anyone in my life. 

I know there are going to be tons and tons of moments that out do this one with our family, but this was a very special moment for Bella and I. And she said "Mama" before "Dada" and I think Jer is a bit jealous.. hehe ;) I am convinced though "dada" and "doggie" or "buffy" are not far behind... or maybe "Mimi" for my mom :) 

Crawling is also becoming better for her. She does the regular crawl for about 5 paces before deciding she wants to do the "I am paralyzed on half my body" crawl. Haha.

Happy Mothers Day!

I would like to wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mothers Day! Do something special for yourself. I am feeling giddy about my first Mothers Day as a Mommy, knowing that this is one and only time that this will be my first Mothers Day. I feel so blessed to have Bella in my life. I can't wait to see her cute chubby cheeks in the morning!! 

Diaper Changing-- An olympic sport

Ok seriously. Changing Bella has become an Olympic event. I think its getting worse by the day. I now dread changing her diaper. Especially a poopy. It goes something like this. Bella grunts, her face turns bright red and she clenches her little fists. I know that its coming. The poop. So I give her a few minutes to do her business then KNOW I should do my mommy duty and change her diaper so she doesn't sit around in it. So I pick her up and take her to the changing table....now...even before we get into the room, she starts to go "eeeeeee!!!" because she knows whats coming. I try to distract her and talk to her about the dogs, the weather, my hair, anything at all.. haha.... So then we enter the room and I put her down. As soon as I put her on her back, and I mean AS SOON as I put her down, she flips over on her tummy and begins to crawl away from me. Fine. So I pick her up so she doesn't do a face plant onto the ground, go get a fresh diaper and come back to the table. Place Bella down on her back. FLIP. *sigh* Straight baby legs. *Sigh* Turn baby back over, this time, strategically placing my forearm over her entire body to get her to stay put. "EEEEEEEEEE!!" She yells at me. "Sorry, Bella, I have to do this" I say. Straight baby legs, followed by arching of the back, followed by trying to flip back over. I'm now sweating. Fighting with my baby. At this point my entire body is pretty much on top of her, diaper is half on, half off. Poop is now on me, on the changing table and on her chubby thighs. I grab wipes and am trying to wipe the butt, the leg, my arm. Flip baby back over. Quickly attach sticky flaps of the diaper only in time for her to flip over AGAIN. Flip her over once more, to tighten the diaper. Rest. Now I have to put pants back on her. Move her to the floor because the changing table is now covered in poo. Put baby on floor-- flip and crawling away--- there she goes. *sigh* ....

And yes this process repeats about every 2-3 hours during the day. Ah, the life of a mommy!

Five Minutes for Mom--Mothers Day Giveaway!

Take a look at Five Minutes for Mom for a HUGE selection of giveaways and prizes!