Michelle's Blog

What was your very first job? 
Submitted by Laurel.

Babysitting! I babysat for one family from age 13-18. It's weird to me that the oldest is now 20 - she was 5 when I started watching her.

Dear Braeden,

You were officially 3 months old on Friday! Wow, has time flown! You have gone from "newborn" to "baby" in the blink of my eye.

This month has gone by so fast. I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that you are such an easy baby. You shower your daddy and I with nothing but smiles and giggles. We appreciate this since half the time we have no idea what we are doing!

 

 

 

This month you have discovered that you can SHRIEK. It's fun to listen to you discover your voice. It's not fun when you are screaming:

 

 

 

but otherwise we think it's fun!

You STILL hate tummy time, but you tolerate it. I can tell that you are thinking, "some day this will become useful"...

 

 

I do not want that someday to be any time soon!

This month you have become the baby that everyone wants to have. YOU SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!! And not just that -- you sleep 10-12 hours STRAIGHT.  I don't know if this is because I am obsessed with sleep or because you are just about the easiest baby known to mankind. Either way, I'm counting my blessings :)

I just wanted you to know that I love you more than I could have ever imagined. You have brought so much joy to my life. Motherhood is more amazing than I could ever imagined. You have also brought me closer to your Nana....something I was worried about for so many years. It's so wonderful to see you smiling at her-- as I'm sure I once did to her. It is only now that I truly understand the love that someone has - and will continue to have forever - for their child. Braeden, I will love you more than you can ever imagine or love in return for the rest of your life. How can I resist this?

 

Happy 3 months baby boy! I love you more and more every day ;)

 

Love Always-

Mom

Do you play any musical instruments?

Yes. The piano. Sadly my piano is sitting in my garage collecting dust!

Let's make a list.  What are 20 things in your life that you're grateful for? 
Inspired by wyndslash.vox.com.

 

1. My wonderful husband Dan. He's given me more than he can ever realize. My world is complete because of him. 

2. My beautiful son, Braeden. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be so in love with someone.

3. My mother. Even though she is crazy, she has lived a full life and gave me mine. She is more of an inspiration than she knows.

4. My father. He has so much patience and a great sense of humor, two attributes I hope I am able to carry on.

5. My brothers. They drive me nuts sometimes, but I still love them.

6. Martha, Katie, and Jenny - My college roommates. They taught me so much about myself and how to appreciate other women.

7. Kate. Truly one of my best friends. What would I do without her?

8. Cole. My best friend from high school. We don't keep in touch as much as we should, but she'll always be like a sister to me.

9. Dan's family. In-laws can be crazy, but for the most part mine are not.

10. My friends not listed above. There are way too many to put on this list, but I don't appreciate any of them any less. They are all awesome - each in their own way - and provide me with endless support. I only hope that I can do the same for them.

11. Our house. I am blessed because I live in a big house that we were able to build last year.

12. My job. I love what I do, where I do it, and the people I work with.

13. Florida State University. A great school and a great place to spend my college years for both my BA and my MS - not to mention football National Champions :)

14. Television. It's sad when TV is listed in your top 20 list of things you are grateful for, but I love my shows and would live a very boring life without them!

15. LA Fitness/spinning. Because of the gym and spinning classes I only gained 19 lbs during my pregnancy and lost 28lbs post partum. Now that I think of it, I should have listed this higher :)

16. Books. I know it seems general, but I can't list just one book because I love to read.

17. Constant Chatter. I'm usually "embarassed" that I frequent this web board, but I would not have survived my pregnancy/last year without it. There are some amazing women on there!

18. My camera. It allows me to capture the important moments in my/my hubby's/my son's life.

19. Living where I live, during the time in which in live, and all of the opportunities I have been given. Nuff said.

20. The computer I am typing this on. It has provided me with endless hours of entertainment - especially during my pregnancy and maternity leave.

 

Show us someone who inspires you.

 

I have two inspirations...My hubby, Dan:

And this beautiful baby boy:

 

 

Show us a local landmark.

Lake Eola and Downtown Orlando

 

 

So I have been quite the slacker in here! Not much going on to report though. I'm back at work and we're keeping busy. Life is good!

I've somehow convinced Dan that we should go on a "family trip" to the Florida Mall tomorrow. I'm in desperate need of new clothes-- none of mine fit! I'm completely surprised, but most of my stuff is all too big for me. I really never thought that this would be an issue post partum. I'm not complaining-- well, maybe a little because buying a new wardrobe is expensive! Anyways-- I'm hoping I can score some good deals and not bore my boys tomorrow!

I should have posted this yesterday-- but it's here today instead!

Dear Braeden,

Today you turn 2 months old. In many ways, it feels like 8 years—but in others it feels like time is flying by way too fast. It’s amazing to me that 2 months ago I was in labor and anxiously awaiting your arrival.

 

This month you started smiling at me, which is quite possibly the best gift that has ever been given to me. Just one smile makes my heart melt. It gives me a reason to get out of bed so very early in the morning. It makes me realize what being a mother is all about. My life is so much fuller and has so much more meaning to it, every single time you flash me that toothless grin.

 

 

 

 

 

You have become such a big boy in this past month. You can now hold up your head. You found your legs and have discovered how fun it is to kick them. You have started talking to your toys. I wish I knew what you were trying to tell them, so I could join in on your secrets because they seem so funny and interesting. You still hate tummy time, but you love taking baths!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankfully, you have handled mommy's transition back to work very welll. There were a few nights when you wanted to wake up more than usual, but it's only natural! I was really tired last week, but you have definitely made it up to me this week. Daddy is really enjoying his time with you while I'm away-- he hopes you are too!

 

 

You had your 2 month checkup yesterday and you weighed in at 12lbs 4oz—and have grown to 23.5 inches long. You are my long and lean little man! I want to apologize again for your shots. I know that they hurt you—they hurt me too. I hate having to see you in pain.

 

We are getting a little more sleep in this household now-- you are making mommy and daddy very happy about that! When your Dr. asked us if you were every fussy or had any problems with sleeping, we had to say no. You are such a good little boy! We are truly blessed that you are such an easy going, fun loving baby!

 

 

 

 

There is so much more I could post about the 2nd month of your life, but words cannot describe everything you have experienced. It is so amazing to me that you see so many new things on a daily basis, and so many of these things I take for granted every day.

 

While you are experiencing things that seem mundane to me, my life has also changed in so many ways. I am still in complete denial that I am your mother (despite watching your little body be pulled from mine), but I cannot imagine what my life would be like without having met you. You are absolutely amazing and I am so thankful to be able to share you with your daddy. You truly complete our family.

 

 

 

 

Love Always,

Momma

Dan and I were adults again last night and went out for sushi/drinks with our friends. A good time was had by all. Unfortunately, we had to leave early because Dan was wearing sandals (never thought THAT would be a problem-- lesson learned!).

Here are some "adult" pictures (no babies here!):

 

 

 

 

Things have suddenly just gotten so much easier lately! I think it has a lot to do with me going back to work AND Braeden is starting to be more consistent about sleep. The more stable things get, the more I really enjoy motherhood.

I defintely discounted a lot of people when they told me that the first 6 weeks was hard-- but after experiencing it and looking back-- it was so much harder than ANYTHING I've ever experienced before...and I have an easy baby! Rewards need to be given to those with colicky babies.

Instead, I gave birth to this sweet boy. I am a lucky momma:

 

I also had to post this, because this picture just cracks me up. He already has his daddy's personality-- and it just kills me!

 

I can't believe I gave birth 2 months ago!!