And no- I didn't believe my husband

When as I was crying into my scarf on the way home from a good, and yet very very bad football game last night that my son had done the impossible and SAID. MY. NAME. And yet- he picked a good time to lie, because this morning my son would not stop saying my name. While POINTING. AT. ME.

It is truly a wonderful day. Even if the Steelers lost. And even if we were (*shocked beyond belief*) unable to procure tickets to the World Series. And even if I should be in the shower and now could be very very late... I had to mention what a wonderful day it is. =)

Sunday Snapshots (a day early, because I just can't wait)

Brody has an announcement he'd like to make.... though I promise he's more excited about it than he seems in the picture!

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Click over to Baby Making 201 for all the details... it is no longer password protected, so please stop by!

I want my baby back, baby back, baby back...

Remember that commercial? Unfortunately, I don't just want his ribs, I want all of him! =) If you don't read the other site, just to catch you up- Brody spent the night at MeMa & PapPap's last night, and won't be back until later this afternoon. I love that I could have slept in this morning, but unfortunately, I must be rather programmed to getting up, because once 5:45 rolled around, I tossed and turned until I finally got up at 7:30.

Have I mentioned that Brody will be 9 months old tomorrow? He's entering his last "baby" stage and it's kinda making me a bit teary eyed. But I will admit, now that he is crawling around and having more fun with toys and such, I am enjoying this phase a lot more than I was a few weeks ago. I am guessing that he's about 23-24 pounds and 29-30 inches. We'll see how close that is Monday when he goes in for his appointment...

I'm not sure that 9 months ago today, I realized just how much this little boy would change me. I'm not sure I thought that there was any way that I could have realized that time would intensify my love for him, and that never- not one day in his life, no matter how crabby, no matter how difficult- would I take him for granted. I can't hear his cry without my heart breaking too, I can't hear his giggle without instantly becoming happy myself. There is nothing in this world that I want more than for him to be happy. Becoming a parent is truly a humbling experience.

I miss the days when I could sit and rock with him for hours at a time and have him be perfectly content- but I also can't wait to see what happens next.

Mom's Zoo-rrific Birthday Pics

Brody loves his Auntie Keri!
Brody's First Carousel Ride! Weeeeeeee!

Tuckered Out!

And Party Pics

A day full of emotion

My first mother's day was far from one full of flowers and pampering. Though to be fair, there was some of that. The "boys" made the "girls" breakfast this morning and we had a lot of fun. Brody even got some of the eggs, pancakes, and strawberries- and he loved them all!

Then we had the not so fun job of moving my grandpa from his assisted living apartment into a skilled nursing facility. He didn't seem to mind much, but he also didn't fully understand. He kept asking if he was staying there for the night, while the woman in the hall kept muttering "Barbara Ann" over and over. I doubt I need to tell anyone how hard it is to see the people you love suffer- I think sometimes it hurts more than being the one who is suffering.

All I know, is that it's days like today that I am especially grateful for the blessing of my son. Not because I finally get to be a mom (which is wonderful in and of itself), but that it truly brings home to me just how precious life is. Just how precious health is. And it reminds me all over again, just how lucky I am. I don't think there is anything I could give my son that can ever compare to what he gives me on a daily basis.

Happy Birthday to Mommy!

My boys definitely spoil me! Not only did I get a new cell phone (courtesy of the fact that I sent Matt's through the washer & dryer, so he got mine, and I got a sparkly new one... yes spoiled, I know.) But my boys got me a grandfather clock too! It is just about the best present EVER. And it came wrapped in paper decorated with my little boy! Perfect. =)

So thank you Brody & Daddy... I love you!

(And thanks to Erin for the night out yesterday... it was just what I needed, and my toes are very pretty!)

And for those of you wondering... I'm now the big 3-0. Scary, eh? So today we're off to the zoo & a bbq at MeMa & PapPap's.

How did it happen?

That my little angel is already 6 months old? Well, 6 months and 36 minutes to be precise. =) I don't think I would have thought it possible, but I am more in love today than I was 6 months ago. I think 6 months ago, I expected days to become mundane at some point. I never realized what it was like to be so exhausted that I didn't think I could move, but still I sleepwalk into his room to try to squeeze a little more sleep out of him, just to have him smile as soon as he sees me, and have my heart completely melt. I didn't realize how proud I could be of him learning to sit on his own, or roll over, or smile on cue for a photographer. I didn't understand how frustrating it can be to see your own stubbornness reflected in the eyes (and grunts) of your child- and yet be so excited at how hard he is working to try to do something.

And oh the giggles- I could survive for years on the giggles. The way he laughs at his daddy, or even at himself while he's bouncing up and down. Or how funny it is to blow raspberries and get his breakfast all over mommy.

It's these moments that I knew I would treasure, long before I ever knew him- long before I ever knew that we would be able to have a child- but I never realized that they would come every day. That everyday I would fall more in love, and that everyday I would rather be with you than doing anything else.

So happy 6 month birthday little boy- I can't wait to see what you do with the next 6!

One Year Ago

One year ago tonight, Matt and I ate Mexican food at my favorite restaurant. In the bathroom of that restaurant, I took out a little stick to learn what I already really knew- that January 28th was the day I was going to conceive my son.

OK- yes, I'll admit- I didn't think it would work. I didn't believe (even after I found out I was pregnant), that a real live baby was going to be the end result of this process. And I certainly didn't know that the real live baby that would eventually come would be a boy. But I digress...

One year ago, Matt and I started the ride of our lives. It was the last day that we were two. The next day, I became pregnant, and we became a family of 3. And tonight, a year later, I thank my lucky stars for all that the last year has brought me. My bouncing bundle of endless joy is 3 1/2 months old. He snuggles, and smiles, and giggles, and melts my heart with every coo. With every day, he is melting away the pain that I felt at this time last year. His sweet face makes all of the infertility tests and procedures worth it. (and makes me stronger to start the process over later this year.. YIKES!) =)

One year ago, I could sleep when I wanted and it didn't take me two hours to get out of the house in the morning. One year ago, my time was my own, my blog was updated frequently, and my waist was smaller (ok, but not small- I'm working on it!) One year ago, I wasn't a mom. And I will take every one of those things, and so much more to proudly scream to the world that you are my son.