#Mommylife Mondays // A growing baby

So, my baby turned 10 months yesterday. As my son’s first birthday creeps up on me, I think about how fast this first year is passing me by. Some of my friends just recently had their babies so they are still in the newborn phase and I think about the things I miss (sometimes) about Brennan being a newborn.

They’re less mobile // As exciting as it is that Brennan can crawl and is on his way to walking, I do miss the days where I can just have him in my lap while catching up on shows. Or, can I take back the days when diaper changes didn’t include wrestling a baby from turning over? Or how about not worrying about him rolling off or crawling off the bed? haha

They sleep all the time // Before, it used to be like: “He was barely awake! He naps all day long!” Now it’s like, “He’s been awake for 5 hours and he won’t nap with me! I’m tired!”

Feeding // As much as I’m happy that I will soon be done with breastfeeding, I know I will also miss it. It is definitely a special thing that bonds a mother and baby.

As much as I (sometimes) miss these things, there are a ton of things that are so fun about a growing baby.

More interactive // I love it when I ask him to do something, and he plays along.

Less fragile // I remember when Brennan was first born, he just seemed so itty bitty. Just doing things, we always had to make sure his neck was cradled and cutting his itty bitty nails were so scary, lol.

More mobile // As much as I struggle with my previous comments about his mobility, I love that he can explore the world around him. I know I’m going to regret saying this, but I can’t wait till he can start walking! haha

More independent // I love playing and spending time with Bren, but sometimes I need to do other things, like laundry, or rest a bit (he has so much energy!), so sometimes I put him in the pack and play and he can usually entertain himself with whatever toys he has or take a couple of laps in his pack and play. It is also nice to see him feed himself when he can so I can also eat (parent's you can feel me on this one, right?

Parenting is such an adventure, I've never experienced anything like it. It is such hard work, but so rewarding and so exciting. There are definitely challenging days where I am so tired or where he is just not in the mood, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am so happy to be his mommy and I look forward to all his milestones and growth in the years to come.

#Mommylife Mondays // A Look Back: Emails to my baby

When I was preggers, I thought it would be fun to email my future child some journaling on what was going on at different times of the pregnancy. I usually would start off the email by saying "Dear ____" whatever fruit or veggie size the baby was currently in. I wanted to share one of the emails I wrote to my baby while I was pregnant. This picture is from when I took maternity photos around 31 weeks (7 months).

Dear Baby Grape,

According to your first ultrasound on Friday, you are 9 weeks and 1 day today! Mommy saw you for the first time and felt relieved. Dr. Kent says you're already moving a lot and your heartbeat was 160 bpm! When Daddy saw the picture of you, he said he couldn't stop looking at you. He calls you a baby shrimp. LOL. We think you're a girl, but we still have quite awhile till we find out (we are waiting till you're born!). Mommy doesn't feel as nauseous as she was a couple weeks ago, so hopefully you decided I needed more energy to stay active and healthy and to get things ready for your arrival! Everyone that knows about you, is so excited, and loves you very much. You are going to be so spoiled! Once we have our next appointment and a couple more tests to make sure you're all good and healthy, we are planning on announcing your expected arrival to the rest of the world. I've been seeing things lately that I have to share with your Auntie Stina and Auntie Lara of things I would buy you, if you were a boy, or a girl. Mommy can't wait to go shopping for you! Daddy says you won't get named brand stuff (from us) because you'll grow out of your clothes so fast, but good thing Mommy likes Target. Anyways, can't wait to see you again in a couple weeks! Love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

p.s. Please don't ask your Aunties and Uncles to get you a puppy when we tell you no. Because they will get you a puppy (or two) in secret. lol.

Did you do anything special to document your pregnancy? This was pre-project life, so I think if I knew about project life then, I might have done things differently. But this was simple way to remember different parts of my pregnancy and I still love having these to read and look back on.