The one where I make a top ten list

Top Ten things that I've learn so far about being a mom:

1. Everyone wants to touch your baby.  As a pediatric nurse, I cringe every time someone reaches out to grab her little fingers knowing full well that they have not washed their hands.  I would look like a crazy lady if I thrust hand sanitizer in everyone's face so I just sit back, smile, and pray for immunity.

2.  You really don't understand until you have one.  Every time I think about how much I love my baby, my heart just wants to explode.  It's a crazy mix of delight, wonder, fear, and pride.

3.  There is nothing sweeter than a giggle and more heartbreaking than a tear.

4.  Everyone likes to compare.  You can't talk to another mom without the discussion leading to your children.  You compare everything from which pacifier you use to how well your baby is sleeping.  I am very guilty of this.  The best advice given to me during pregnancy was "don't take advice from anybody.  Each baby and family is different and it's supposed to be this way."

5.  If you want a good daycare/school, you might as well put yourself on the waiting list on your wedding night.  My baby is almost 5 months old, we are nowhere close to thinking about number two, and I have a strange desire to go ahead and get on the list.

6.  You really can't cuddle enough.  

7.  Time management is no longer possible.  Even if you are super OCD like this mom, you are somehow able to convince yourself that hanging out with your baby is way more important than dishes.  Let's be honest....it is.

8.  You make a lifestyle change.  I've learned where to find the Disney channel on TV, the baby section of Target, and the back-way to Buy Buy Baby.

9.  I learned that we really will do anything for our children.  I yearn for the day when I come home and find my husband and daughter wearing frilly dresses and sipping tea with a teddy bear.  It hasn't happened yet but I promise a picture when it does!

10.  I pray a lot.  I pray for patience, understanding, wisdom, and energy.  I pray that I can cut fingernails without nipping a finger.  I pray that I am able to be the best nurse that I can be.  I pray to be the best wife that I can be.  I pray to be the best mom that I can be.  I pray to be the absolute best version of myself...and I keep praying.

Newborn Photo-shoot (5 weeks)

Beach Baby (6 weeks)

All Smiles (3 Months)

Happy Fall Y'all (4 months)

'

First Halloween (4 months)

The one about me

I've always wanted to be really great at something.  Growing up, I was good at sports, made good grades and had a good group of friends.  I seemed to be pretty good at all of these things but always had a secret desire to be great.  I envied the really good singers, those that made friends easily, and the ones that always seemed to excel in everything without really trying. 

I got married in June 2011.  To risk sounding cliche, I really got to marry my best friend.  We started out in Columbia with our sweet golden retriever Boozer.  It took me a short two years before I started getting the baby fever.  Through a series of job changes and life changes we moved back to my hometown of Greenville and prepared for the birth of our little baby girl.  In June 2014, we became parents to the most perfect little girl in the world.

 I've decided now that I DO want to be really great.  I want to be a great wife and I want to be a great mom.  Some day when my children are old, I want them to know how much I love the Lord, how much I love my husband, and how much I love my babies!  The greatest gift is to love and be loved.  Thank-you Lord for this amazing life.  Thank-you for giving me a little bit of sunshine.  What an amazing journey!