The Harper's: January 2014

Last week my little angel baby turned 9 months old! Do not ask me where the time has gone because I will not have an answer for you.

I did a little thinking today, and I came up with NINE (because Callie's 9 months, duh.. ) things that motherhood is to me. Aside from being absolutely perfect.

Motherhood is hard. I remember seeing a picture on pinterest the other day that said "Yay, its Friday! Oh wait... I'm a mom." Thank goodness for awesome naps and 8:00 bedtime.

It's entertaining. "Babe! Hurry! Callie's blowing snot bubbles!" Simple minds, simple pleasures? Probably.

It's scary. I'm a worry wart--especially when she's asleep. I check on her 1,737,935 times while she's napping to make sure she's still breathing, and because there is something so incredibly beautiful about a sleeping babe.

It's messy. Ask me sometime about her blow out this last Saturday, in the car, that some how managed to come out of BOTH pant legs, up her neck, and onto the seat in front of her... Oh, and also while we were just pulling into a wedding reception. It was fun. Especially since the hotel bathroom didn't have a changing table.

It's rewarding. Sleep training was such a big hurdle for me to jump over, but let me tell you....it was so worth it. Callie has officially been sleeping 100% through the night for almost 2 months now, and oh baby, I'm a new person.

It's emotional. I cry a lot. I'll never forget those first few weeks of motherhood, when my husband would come down the stairs at 3am to me bawling hysterically because I was so sleep-deprived. And not to mention in excruciating pain. (Those first few weeks of breast feeding? I don't want to talk about it.) BUT, despite those not so good tears, there have been a TON of happy tears. Callie is HILARIOUS, and multiple times a day she does the silliest things, that end with us rolling on the floor, in tears from laughing so hard. And call me sappy, but sometimes I just watch her, when she's learning, or playing, and it brings tears to my eyes because I am so grateful and so very lucky she's mine.

It's life-changing. "Motherhood is not about what you gave up to have a child, but what you gained by having one." Sure, I miss my pre-prego body, and quick weekend getaways with the husband, and going to movies, and going out to eat (we do this with Callie, but eating out with kids is A LOT different), and sleeping in, and late night ice cream trips with friends, and traveling with only one bag, but in all honesty.... I don't miss these things, because Callie is a jillion times better.

It's fun. Here's a list of what I do all day: Wake up, feed Callie, play, play, play, nap, play, play, ~~clean,~~ play, feed Callie, play, nap, play, play, feed Callie, play, play, play, feed Callie, and go to bed.

I love it.

It's addicting. Anyone who knows me, or follows me on Instagram, knows that I am OBSESSED with my child. One day Cam and I had a conversation about how many times we think we kiss her every day... so I TRIED to keep a tally, and lost count after about 300... oh and by this time it was only 8:30 in the morning. She's just sooooo yummy, and I think Cam is scared that I'm going to eat her.

And here are a few things my babe is up to these days:

Crawling.

After months of being in the zero percentile for weight, she's now in the FIRST percentile. ;)

8th Percentile for height.

Still in 3 month clothing.

Drinks from a sippy.

Giggles and smiles ALL. THE. TIME.

Says da-da all day, every day.

Eats whatever mom and dad eat.

Sleeps through the night.

Loves the T.V. remote.

She knows the drill when the camera comes out.