Letters: {To baby Eli}

Dear Eli,
I can't believe you are already half a year old. Stop growing up already, will you? Sometimes it feels like you have been with us forever, then other times it seems like time has gone by too fast. Time is funny like that.
One thing that you have taught me in the past 6 months is this: all babies are people too.
It seems like a really simple idea, but I think sometimes it is easily forgotten. Even as a 6 month old baby, you are a little person with your own personality, feelings, worries, and joys.
A few things that I adore about you are: when you smile. You would think that I might be used to your smile since I am lucky enough to get to see it everyday. But I'm not. I still get butterflies and feel my heart melt when you give me a great big smile or gasp.
Sometimes when you are eating, you will stop- look up at me and smile as if to say "thanks mom", then go back to eating. It gives me the best feeling in the whole world.
I also love to watch you in a new place. You are so alert and attentive to everything going on around you. So curious to know what's going all the time. I hope you always stay curious like that.
Another thing I love is your little legs. You are one active boy. Whether you are sitting, being held, or wherever- you love to wiggle and bounce your legs all over the place. Especially when you get excited, you move your legs like CRAZY. You are such a sweet boy. Strangers love to look at you because you almost always offer them a great big smile. Everyone thinks you look just like your Dad, and I have to agree. I am so grateful I get to be your Mom.
Some days are easier than others.Yesterday you spilled a huge cup of ice water all over my pants at a restaurant, pulled my pancake/syrup breakfast off the table and upside down on our carpet, and had yet another blowout. Don't worry, I still love you. And I always will, no matter how big of a mess you get me into.
Love you.....Mom

Motherhood:{A good book}

I have to admit, it was weird to not go back to school last fall. That is the first September, for as long as I can ever remember, that I didn't have to return to classes. 

It's been so nice to get back into reading books and things that I want to read, especially since those things are not textbooks. I went a little crazy at the library last week because it had been so long... but looking back, there's no way I'm going to read 5 books 3 weeks. So I'm glad the book I'm reading was the first book in pile.

It is seriously THE best book. I have already vowed that I am buying 3 copies. One for me. One for my Mother in law. And one for my Mom. 

It's a book about Motherhood called, "For Every Mother." It's about celebrating motherhood in any stage that you are in, whether that's a new mom, seasoned mom, or grandma. 

A few things that this book makes me want to always remember:

-Motherhood is hard in any season, so never assume that someone else has it easy just because they are in a different place than I am. 

-I am so so so grateful that my baby is healthy and alive. A privilege that should never be taken for granted. 

-Family is most important. Everything else can wait. Sometimes I feel like a failure because I dropped out school while I was pregnant/super sick with Eli. But then I have to remember...would I want to be working right now? Or in clinicals for 8 hours a day? Those things would definitely put Brian and I in a better place financially. However, my baby will only be a baby for a year. Then a toddler. And so on. I realize that working is something that some Moms need to do or want to do, and I fully support that. But at this point in my life right now, I am beyond grateful that I get to stay home with Eli and that Brian is so supportive and hardworking to allow me to do that. 

-Raising kids is hard work that is full of different seasons. Some days will feel like a complete waste. Those are the times to remember that I'm planting my seeds to reap the harvest later.