What I've learned about being a mom so far

Every day, Mirabel teaches me something new about myself. Whether it's that I'm stronger than I thought I was, or the opposite, that I need to humble myself and admit that I don't know everything (and that I need to get over one insecurity or another). Still, being a mom has given me a new sense of security...though, ironically, I run on very little sleep (which leaves me quite fuzzy-headed), and I occasionally wonder if we're going to have to get a credit card to cover diaper expenses alone (hehe, just kiddin').

All of the cliche sayings are true. I haven't loved someone this much before, and I've never found little bundles of lint hidden between chubby rolls of skin cute until now. When I wake up in the morning after being up almost every other hour the previous night, she gives me countless grins and I feel so blessed to receive them. Then I look in the mirror and, in spite of seeing bags under my eyes, a head full of frizzy hair and an unwashed face...I know that I've won.

Jose and I couldn't afford to buy each other fancy wedding rings when we married, we were poor recent college grads at the time, but I tell him that Mirabel is my diamond and the best gift he ever gave me. But I'm also going to give credit to the man upstairs for sending me this little angel that I was completely unworthy of receiving, and I still am unworthy of her.

He sent her to US for a reason; I'm realizing what those reasons are more and more each day.

• Being discreet? Who cares about that. Whether she needs to be fed right then and there for the whole world to see, or she needs to "relieve" herself (which she is very good at doing LOUDLY :), we no longer feel the need to sit in the quietest section of the restaurant, if you know what I mean.

• There's no time to be selfish. Time? What's that? Time is what's tickin' when she's napping and I'm not, like now. But I want to make sure I remember the details, so that's why I'm trying to take advantage of that time and document the special moments here. And as far as selfishness is concerned, that doesn't mix well with parenting. But you know what? They're happier that way and, as a result, you're happier, too.

• Beauty really is pain. You know what? My mom told me that I'd forget about the pain of childbirth after holding this little girl in my arms for the first time. The truth is, I didn't forget and I actually still remember everything. But you know what? I'm glad I remember because I can honestly say it was worth it and I'd do it all again and again...
  

This list will continue to grow. But the little one has just woken up and she's wiggling in my arms trying to eat while I blog with one hand...another thing she's indirectly taught me how to do. :)

Moving forward (well, up North, really ;)

These past few weeks have flown by. I find myself agreeing with all the familiar comments and pieces of advice that new parents get, from "they grow so fast" to "sleep when the baby sleeps!". That last one, I still haven't mastered. I have a good excuse today, though...we are packing to move yet again. It'll be our final move within Texas, then in August we're heading back East for one more year (or about 9 months, I'm counting down!).

Mirabel has grown quite a bit. She started out a tiny 6lbs, and now the doctor says she's in the 80th percentile, as far as her size goes. Which makes sense, since she seems to like to eat quite often. At her last appointment, the doctor asked how often I feed her, whether it was ever 2 or 3 hours. I said, "whenever she wants!" HA! I think she's going to be a foodie ;). But can you nurse a baby too much? Hmm...we shall see. I didn't give up on nursing after all. It was pretty tough at first but I'm really glad I didn't give up.

She's also started smiling, here's the evidence (this was actually at 3 1/2 or 4 weeks, but she's been smilin' since about 2!)

She also got dressed up for Father's Day (actually, she doesn't really like getting dressed just yet--crying begins on cue every time!). But I managed to squeeze her into this dress, though I think it'll be the last time she wears it (we did buy too much clothes after all!).
more later...

Crafty and cute for the kiddos

When my brother and I were younger (I'm 12 years his senior :), we'd do little crafts together. It was the one of the few sit-down activities that he loved doing :). I recently came across this site, The Crafty Crow, and love the concept behind it! So cute, will definitely be visiting that site a lot more often when Mirabel's older...

On a random side note, I also love this cute food blog, Lost Recipes Found! Old recipes revived? Sign me up! The illustrations on that blog are also very cute :).

Almost a month (a quick update on my break :)

My break? That's right :). Jose is home from a looong (11 hour!) day at work and I have about an hour to myself before we get ready for bed (bedtime happens as soon as the sun sets, these days!). I'm coming to realize just how much being a mom really is a full time job, particularly to a newborn who loves being held. I applaud all the single moms out there. Even though I'm home alone with the kiddo during the week, having a husband who pitches in when he gets home is such a blessing.

Mirabel is doing very well, I'm very happy to report. She is only waking up about 2 or 3 times a night and I'm starting to get used to the waking-up-at-night routine. It was a little tough at first, because I don't get out of bed easily, but operating on just a few hours of sleep isn't so tough any more :). I try to squeeze in at least one little nap a day, but Mirabel's daytime naps are getting shorter (but she's sleeping longer at night, so no complaints here!). Thankfully, she's a pretty content kiddo. She has her crying moments (she hates baths, isn't a fan of the car seat, and really doesn't like having her diaper changed) but she doesn't cry for hours on end and...the vacuum cleaner is our friend :)! As soon as the vacuum cleaner's powered on, the crying magically stops... So you'll sometimes find us plugging the vacuum cleaner into an outlet in the bathroom just to get through a bathing session tear-free, funny as that sounds...

More later. Here's another pic for now :).