Saturday, May 26, 2007

Mom is going back to work

It is time, time to go back to making donuts, got to make the donuts. Did you ever see that Dunkin Donuts commercial years ago with the guy getting up in the dark to go in an make the donuts? Every time I get up to go to work or hear Aaron's alarm I think of this commercial. Ironic since I make food that is healthy.

I am looking at the calendar and it says June but, some how I still think it is April. Is it really June? How can it be June already?

I have been home for nine months. Nine months that I could have never expected, prepared for, or even imagined. There has never been a time in my life more rich with emotion, healing, and joy. I was stripped to my core and have emerged a stronger, happier, and more present person. And most importantly, a mother.

These past nine months have been precious, and at the same time some of the most difficult moments I have ever experienced. Thousands of small steps and little moments have lead to this moment, which builds me up to lead to the next moment. The steps are small and sometimes unrecognizable to the "naked eye". They started the minute I was wheeled out of the delivery room and continued on every time I hooked up to the breast pump and every time I walked out the hospital door without Eric.

Introducing Eric to the front of the flat,going outside, letting people in our house, stopping pumping, feeding Eric in public, driving with Eric, going out to dinner with Eric, leaving Eric with a baby sitter, going to Grandma and Grandpas have all been moves forward. It also took a while to feel comfortable re-introducing things I enjoyed before Eric was born; running, being out and about, going to grocery store, going to my office, and meeting friends, all without feeling tremendous amounts of anxiety.

Moving forward is a funny thing. You just do it. You may wonder how will we do it and than one day you are so far forward you hardly know where you began. So that is what we do, move forward without worrying about how because there is so much joy to experience and that is how you find it and fill your life with it.

All the things that fell away the day Eric was born we have been adding back to our world together so that he can learn the joy and bliss that they bring to each day.I am never moving forward alone. Eric and Aaron are with me every step. I know our dear friends, The Brown's and Karbowski's, are also moving forward with us.

I have learned more about myself, Aaron, and Eric than I could have imagined.I have come to know caring and tenderness from all of the people that have reached out to us in waves.

Now, together, my family and I open another door and walk through it to take on the next transition.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Starting solids



We go started feeding Eric some rice cereal. As you can see from the photo, he is a bit of a sceptic. We seem to get rice cereal most everywhere but his mouth; in my hair, his hair, the floor. Occassionally he is into it but mostly he just wants to move on the bottle after a few bites. He is quite curious about the spoon. We have moved on to a little baby oatmeal but he doesn't seem to like that any better than rice cereal. He is holding out for the good stuff like sweet potatos and butternut squash, which are Mom's favorites too.

Album cover - Small boys get big

The boys got somethin' to tell the world



Album features songs like:

"Busting out of the NICU"
"Who you calling preemie now?"
"Gimme some of that milk"
"You looking at my puppy?"
"Go lick your rings"

and

"Watch this move"

Happy Mother's Day



This is a very special Mother's Day. Not only is it my first Mother's day as a mommy, but it is also the first Mother's day that I realize HOW much my own mother loves me. The love from a mother is so great, so huge, that it can not be explained. It can only be felt.

It is also so special because I get to celebrate with the two people who have so thankfully made me a mother, Eric and Aaron. I thank the universe for bringing these people into my life. Nothing could make me happier than waking up to Eric's jibber jabber or smiling face. To whoever is listening, thank you.

I know so many incredible mothers that have given me so much support. Thank you. I have met so many strong and gracious mothers of the tiniest babies. To all the NICU moms, I think of you and your beautiful healthy, happy babies every day. Alan, Spencer, Pacita, Ryan, James, Christopher, Emma, Morgan, Danik, your mothers are courgaeous women.

My boys were so wonderful to me today. They made me pancake brunch and gave me a beautiful photo necklace with their smiling faces on it. We went for a nice walk and I was sent to a yoga class.


To my own mom, Eric thinks his Grandma needs to stay cool, chill out, and slow down.



My Mom is moving so quickly and doing so much (mostly for others) and doesn't pay close enough attention to the path infront of her. I mean this literally. She took a hard tumble and broke her arm in three places and has to have a plate surgically put in her arm. I guess this is one way to get her to relax and take care of herself. Heal fast Grandma and find yoga poses that don't require use of your left arm.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Afternoon at Golden Gate Park



We had a great summer like day and decided to grab a blanket and stroll over to the park for some chill time. Eric had his bottle, Mom and Dad had our salads. Eric enjoyed a good snooze in the shade while I took the rare opportunity to read a magazine.

Joe joined for some good conversation, some frisbee, and some catch.



What a fantastic day. Eric loved kickin' it at the park.