Embracing...

Embracing:

the dark circles under my tired eyes,

the grey hairs that are becoming more and more commonplace atop my head,

the ever-present messy bun,

the increasingly prominent crows' feet,

and the weird pigment spots that linger long after the pregnancy hormones have gone.

But also:

the softness of his chubby little cheek against mine,

his gummy smile,

the way his eyes light up when I am near,

the fluffy tufts of hair that multiply with each passing day,

fat little wrists and thighs that also seem to get thicker day by day,

his sweet, intoxicating baby smell.

Embracing:

the big picture - all that comes with this thing called motherhood. 

Photo by Adam Schwartz of The Two Hosers Photo Show

When I Grow Up...

As a child, I thought I would be all sorts of things when I grew up.  What exactly I thought I would be depended on my age when asked, and mood and mindset at the time.  The thing is, I still don't feel that I have reached that magical, mystical age called "grown up" and there are still a great many things I might want to do or be.

My list of potential occupations, past and present, includes the following:

1. An artist.

2. A ballerina.

3. A camp counsellor.

4. A writer.

5. A babysitter.

6. A photographer.

7. A mixed martial arts fighter.

8. A marine biologist.

9. A speech-language pathologist.

10. A mother.

I'll leave it to you to work out which of these were the passing fancies of childhood, which have already been achieved, and which I am still toying with.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ray of Light.

This guy. Five months old and an absolute ray of light.  A breath of fresh air on grey Vancouver winter days.



 

 

   

You Smile, I Smile

So, I may or may not have hinted once or twice that we've had a rough couple months around here.  (Hence the noticeable lack of updates.)  But no matter how tired, stressed, or unlike my usual self I feel, I can't help but smile when I see these faces.



 

Yes, friends, I think it's safe to say that things are looking up!

Languishing In My Closet

I'm really not sure how almost two months has slipped by since I last posted an update.  I have a million excuses, but that's another post for another day, and I won't waste your time with that right now. The Listmaster has asked for a list of 10 things in our closet for this week's listicle, so I'd rather waste it telling you about all the things that are in my wardrobe that, at five months post partum, I am currently unable to wear but hope to be able to put to good use again someday:

1.  Shoes and boots with high heels and/or pointy toes.  Shoes that look cute/sexy/stylish but leave my feet and legs aching for sneakers or my "mom boots" (which happen to be really ugly, but really comfortable, warm, and waterproof).

2.  My skinny jeans.  At least 10 lbs of baby weight still need to come off before I can even contemplate getting those on again.

3.  Anything that needs hand washing or dry cleaning.  I consider those washing instructions to be incompatible with baby spit up.

4.  Work clothes: blazers, dress pants, skirts, and blouses.

5.  Any item that limits  quick access to Henry's sole source of nourishment.

6.  Cute handbags that are either too small or too precious to schlep diapers, wipes, and the million other pieces of gear and paraphernalia that seem necessary when toting around a tiny human.

7.  Jewellery; chunky or delicate, that could be ripped from my ears or neck by tiny yet surprisingly strong and persistent hands.

8.  Anything that falls into the category of "lingerie."  (Sorry, Hubs.)

9.  My martial arts gear.  One of these days, I will be well-rested enough and we will have bedtimes under control enough that I will feel confident stepping out in the evenings a couple times a week to rekindle my passion for martial arts... one of these days.

10.  A string bikini.  I am still holding out hope that one day I will regain the confidence (and the muscle tone) to wear it again, but... we'll see.  I'll let you know if and when that joyous occasion ever happens!

Now head over to Stasha's for some more Monday Listicle fun.