When I Met A Baby....

So I finally did it.

I FINALLY got to meet my nephew.

Here's what you need to know:
First, he's precious, beautiful, and has the best cheeks.
Second, he was born the day before the best day of MY life -my wedding. So I'll never forget his birthday, December 20th, because on that day, four years ago, I was preparing, laughing, and being merry.
Third, he belongs to me. Well, really he belongs to my sister, but he is part of me, too. It's amazing how quickly they do that -wiggle into your heart, and take firm hold to stay there forever.
Fourth, well -you fill it in with whatever you want. Happiness, baby snuggles, that irresistible baby smell, whatever. You can decide for yourself.

When he was born I couldn't be there. That was devastating. I was so very sick, and H was SO seseptable I just couldn't risk it, especially since baby Hud went to the NICU. Good call by us, but I had to wait TWO months to meet him! Lucky for me it paid off. :) Patience MAY be one of my virtues after all!

On the last day of my visit I was lucky enough to get an amazing set of photographs of him. So, here he is, folks.

{suspicious of the camera, but handsome regardless}

{Momma makes it better by singing a sweet song}

{being photogenic is exhausting business!}

{I see what you did there...it was funny...}

{feeling a little sleepy...}

{still suspicious of that clicky black thing....}

SEE!!! Isn't he marvelous? I'm the luckiest aunt there is. :)


See you soon!

{small gift for TMV -coffee and candied ginger}

So today's the day.  The day where my entire Facebook feed is FULL of women posting photos of flowers and gifts, and talking about how much they love their spouses.  But you know what I see the most of (AFTER the flowers, of course!)?  I see posts about what they're fixing their honeys for dinner, or vice versa.  It always makes me smile to see what people cook.  To see their styles and their flavors.  Maybe that's  just me, but whatever.  You happen to be reading MY blog, right?  Right.

I digress...back on topic.....

So because of all of this posting about food, I've been reflecting.  Because on top of everyone's love crazed cooking (not judging -just noting that we have a tendency to love through food), I'm also taking a whole foods class where I'm learning not just about whole foods, but I'm also learning about myself.  Which is a huge bonus.


But all of this learning takes IMMENSE quantities of quiet, uninterrupted time (which is hard when your sister + nephew keep sending you pictures of cuteness).  So after receiving my weekly eBook, I (un)patiently waited for the member day at the co-op to come around.  I printed off the shopping list and bee-lined it so that I could beat the lunch rush.

Walking through the skinny isles of the overpacked store I was taken by such a sense of relief.  Relief of knowing my body would feel better with this food.  Relief from high prices for nothing foods that come in boxes and unrecycleable plastic wrapping.  And as I'm dropping each little bag of wonderful into my cart I'm feeling lighter and lighter because I have the TIME.

I have the TIME to learn.  The TIME to grow, and the TIME to HEAL through this new process.  The teacher of this class (you should consider it.  Truly amazing -it's called Whole Foods Kitchen.  I'm already in love), in her eBook, gives us permission to be whatever we need to be during this time of learning.  To be completely honest, I cried like a big fat baby.  Simply because I've never had anyone tell me (in regards to food) that it's ok NOT to be perfect (myself included).  You know -measure this, count that, "if you want A slice of pizza you have to go swim laps."  I'm not joking -that was part of my life.

The whole point of this message is simple.  Today, on this day of love, food, chocolates, and flowers, my heart is full of gratitude for this TIME that I've been granted.

Happy cooking, lovers!

-XO-
ME!

Every year when Valentines day rolls around TMV and I sit down with our calendars and pick our alternative V-Day date night.  Which ultimately means that my super girly romantic self is never with-date on the actual V-Day.  While I CAN hear you saying, "aww" don't worry -I've come up with a solution over the past four years of our married life that I believe ultimately serves a better purpose than chocolates and roses (although I do have to say that when the alternative V-Day date rolls around TMV is a 5-star date planner.  :)  Not to rub it in, or anything....).  Here is my go to V-Day ritual: I focus on the opportunity this love based holiday has granted me and reflect on how much love I have going on in my life.  To take a minute or ten and be GRATEFUL.

So here are some pictures so that you can have some bonus joy in your day.  :)  These faces sure bring me lots of joy, so why not share them, among the skimming of the jug of things that make me thankful for my life.

First and foremost I am thankful for TMV.  For everything he does, and everything he sacrifices.  

No matter how hard it is right now, I can't wait to see what life brings us in the future because of all of this hard work.  Also -isn't he handsome in his geekyness???  *cough*

swoon

Second I am thankful for the people in my life that helped make me who I am today.  Of course that includes these wonderful people...

Mom and Seester

OGO and Seester

And tons of other wonderful people that I don't actually have pictures of/with....  Added THAT to my list of MUST do's.  :)

My handsome NEWPHEW!  I can't wait -I get to meet him for the FIRST TIME in just over a week (I had the plague when he was born, so I've TOTALLY missed out -seeing everyone ELSE post photos of him has been a total bummer).  :)  My excitement overflowith.  Be ready to see a gazillion photos.  Truly -a gazillion.

Munchkins like this little scooter (who is supposedly now practicing her walking instead of her walk-face planting....)

And like these cheerful kiddos who are always the first to blow kisses via Skype (that I am SO thankful for).  Miss their snuggles!

And last but certainly last but not least........

Friendship.  No matter the distance (and no -no picture for this one.  Too many specials in my life to pick JUST ONE.  So you'll have to be creative.  Don't worry -I have faith in you!).

So this Valentines Day is for you.  I am so grateful to have you in my heart.  :)

-XO-

ME!

So originally this was designed to be the second post in my Love <3 Gratitude series, but since I'm patiently awaiting a photograph of my precious nephew, I suppose the furbabies will have to come first.  And I'm ok with that.  :)  The are MY babies, after all.

So this sweet furry love came to me when TMV moved to pursue his doctoral degree.  I was desperately lonely despite all of the wonderful humans I had surrounding me.  Sometimes the only way to fill your partner's void is to fill it with a warm fuzzy that doesn't (verbally) have an opinion (because she's otherwise very full of them!).

So this Valentines day I am full of love for my Daphnie.  She answers to: Daphnie, Daphnie Cat, Doodle, and Mrroowwww (specifically late at night when she can't figure out where everyone has gone), and who has shown me grace (and where to pet her) in some of my lowest times.

I am also full of love and gratitude for the place in my heart this wooly little bear.  She came to us when TMV's musical travels left me lonely and fearful in our beautiful little home.  We decided it was time for something snuggily and equally scary (she's 35 lbs and sounds like she's 110lbs) for those snowy winter days that allowed the hoodlums linger too long in our yard.

Since coming to us she's taught me patience, shown me undying optimism and love (because the sound of the treat bag is awesome and increases doggy love), and has completely stolen my heart against any other breed in the world.  While she may not be perfectly house broken (at age 6...apparently it's a breed thing....) and LOVES to snack on kitty litter she is always the first one to greet me upon my arrival to our (Saphira protected) beautiful home.

This Valentines Day I am full of love and gratitude for my Saphira, who also goes by: Saphira-Face (thank you Haleigh...), STOP IT!, lay down, Foozle, and Little Bear.

{apologies for the blur.  she was VERY excited about the snow!}

So my sweet furbabies, I am grateful for all of the lessons you have taught me and moments that you have seen past my humanity to love me with every little furry fiber of your beings.  You are equally loved in return.

Love, 

the mammah.