Strange World

You were born into a strange world.
Like a candle, you were meant to share the fire.
I don't know where we come from, and I don't know where we go.
But my arms were made to hold you, so I will never let you go.
Cause you were born to change this life.
You were born to chase the light.
You were born...

Love your mother, yeah she's s good one.
She'll build you armor; keep you warm as a hen.
The stars may fall and the rains may pour,
But I will love you evermore.
You were born to make this right.
You were born to chase the light.
You were born...

Oh my precious, oh my love, when they come to take me,
I will hold you from above.
I don't know why we're here, and I don't know how,
But I'm here with you now, I am here with you now.
Cause you were born to change this life.
Cause you were born to make this right.
Cause you were born to chase the light.

-Cloud Cult

My 1st Mother's Day

I don't know if there are words to articulate how amazing being a mother is. You don't really know, or understand, unless you are a mom. The moment your baby is placed in your arms, the moment your life totally changes. A shift happens, and all that is important in the world is just right there in a squirming, crying little person. Nothing put my life in focus more than having my daughter.

Every single day, I am in awe of her. I am amazed at how quickly she went from a tiny, helpless newborn, to a toddler who can crawl, feed herself, and babble endlessly. Everything is funny to her. Tickles, funny. Chase, funny. The dog, funny. I love being able to live each day through her eyes. From a new taste (pizza, ok...cheese/spinach ravioli, not ok)...to new sounds (rawr!, pfffffttttttt)...to new experiences (the swing!), each day brings something new.

This week, Time Magazine asked "Are you mom enough?" Well, to all the moms out there, you are mom enough. Whether you choose disposable diapers or cloth, breast milk or formula, strollers or slings, every moment that you love your child, you are mom enough.

Because being a mom isn't about the latest fad, or trend; being a mom is about loving your child. It's about wearing your heart outside your body every single day. It's about not apologizing for making decisions that you believe are best for your child (and you). Being a mom is the hardest, most incredible job you will ever have. So soak up each little moment. Listen to yourself. Give your love. That's it.

So, on my very first Mother's Day, I would like to thank this little girl for making me a mom. I love you Lily. Every single day. I hope that I can be as wonderful a mom to you, as my mom is to me.

Lily, three days old

Lily, six months old

Lily, ten months old

Pete Zee

When my cousin Campbell was little, maybe 2 years old, she called pizza pete-zee. At dinner one night, she saw the pizza boxes and enthusiastically exclaimed, "PETE ZEE! PETE ZEE!" It was hilarious. I told her she called pizza "pete-zee" when she was little, and she simply replied, "no Emily, I would never do that!" This brings me to tonight...

My little bean tried pizza for the very first time! Tom and I had a homemade buffalo chicken pizza in an attempt to use some of the leftover buffalo chicken from earlier in the week. Wheat crust, ranch dressing, buffalo chicken, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. We wanted to add red onion, but the onions at the store looked nasty. Very nasty. Anyway, we decided it is high time for Lily to try her own pizza, so I made her a mini pizza. Light on the sauce and some mozzarella cheese. She didn't even make a face when she ate it! I think she preferred the blueberries, but she did eat a few bites of of the pizza (which I count as a success!). Here are a few pictures of the momentous event:

Our pizza and Lily's pizza.

Hmmm...what is this??

I think I like this?

Socks. Mmmmm.

Susie Homemaker, I am not.

Let's just get that out there.

I like to think I run a fairly efficient household. It's moderately clean, I can cook well enough, and when I am in the mood I can make magic with a hot glue gun.

I am definitely not Susie Homemaker though.

While I like to cook, I don't do it every night. My house can be a whirlwind of papers, mail, toys, and various other baby things. Laundry sits in piles. Take out menus are on the fridge...this gets me to my next point for this post...this week I made dinner 4 nights in a row. You heard correctly, folks. Now, I don't want everyone thinking we eat out all the time, we definitely don't do that. We do like to mooch visit my parents and eat with them maybe once or twice a week. This week, however, I tried new recipes and really cooked (didn't just pop things in the microwave!). Dinner this week...

Monday- chicken and mozzarella ravioli
Tuesday- Turkey burgers
Wednesday- Crock pot buffalo chicken
Thursday- Crock pot ribs (these are great please go here and try them yourself!)

Tomorrow, I kick of my first Mother's Day weekend with a mommy club dinner at The Melting Pot. I.am.so.excited! I can't wait. Fondue and lovely friends. It should be a great time!

No other real news. School is just crazy. Prom =  stress. My schedule is all over the place (don't even get me started). I barely have 2 minutes without a senior asking me the same question they asked two days ago. Or a parent calling to ask something that was already addressed. Or...or...or

You get the idea.

Two pieces of reading for you today...go here and read my friend Angela's new blog! Welcome to the blogging world mama! Or go here and read about the crazy new Time magazine cover. I am sure I will have something to say about it later.

A parting picture...

Socks. They're what's for dinner.

Midweek Confessions

So my friend Sarah stole this, so I am stealing it cause I think it is just that good. Before I start spilling my beans, a few little updates about life. First a few Lily updates. After months, and months, and months of waiting we finally have a tooth popping through! I think there are actually two teeth being cut, but I can definitely see the one. I am very excited.

School has been crazy. Prom is making me crazy. It's all very stressful. I will be happy when prom is over. I know the kids will have a really good time, so in the end all of this stress will be worth it. I keep reminding myself that this night will be, for some of my kids, one of the most special evenings of their lives. It will be beautiful, it really will. I just can't wait until May 20th (at about 1pm), when it's all behind me.

And now for a few midweek confessions...
I totally side-eye people who proclaim themselves to be "crunchy" moms. I think it's ridiculous. Let's review: buying the most expensive, all organic food, telling everyone that breastfeeding is the only way to feed your baby, and cloth diapering (and saying how much money it saves while constantly purchasing more $20 cloth diapers), all while driving a big old SUV, living in an energy sucking home, and prancing around in designer clothes. I am sorry, doesn't "crunchy" imply that you are living a green life? I think it's great to be crunchy if really are...and you aren't totally holier-than-thou about it. 

I love my dog like he's a person. If you know me, you know that really isn't a confession, but the following is...about two days after we came home from the hospital with Lily I opened the door to the bathroom and saw Fred sitting in the hallway. He was following me around everywhere, so there he was waiting for me. He looked at me with his big, soulful, saucer eyes, and I just lost it. I was sobbing and hugging Fred. I felt like I was neglecting him. Yep, all new mommy emotional crazy, crying over my dog.

I love chocolate ice cream. There, I said it.


Check it out the original midweek confessions!

Swing, swing!

Lily got a new swing set today! And by new, I mean new to us. The set was owned by the Plovans, our very dear friends, who generously gave it to us. We have a huge backyard, with nothing in it, so this gives us something to do in the afternoons (beside trying to crawl up the upstairs repeatedly). We didn't get to play too much on it yet, but we did put Lily in the baby swing, so she could test it out. She LOVED it!

In other news, we tried a recipe that I found on Pinterest. It is a Bob Evans recipe, and it was really yummy. Super easy to make-- sausage, crescent rolls, eggs and milk, and cheese-- and quick too (start to finish about 30 minutes). We even planned out a week of meals (what happened to the real Emily and Tom??). We will be having turkey burgers, steak, buffalo chicken, ribs, and spaghetti this week. I am excited to try the ribs, they are crock pot ribs, so they should be easy enough. Here's hoping to a smooth work week. Friday is the 3rd meeting of the mommy club, and we are going to The Melting Pot...that alone will get me through the week!!

Overandoverandover

Lily is asleep. Fred is asleep. Tom is coming home from baseball. I feel like I should be asleep. This has been the busiest week...EVER. Ok...maybe not ever. Let's review: prom is coming up. In two weeks. Crap. So, tickets went on sale this week, we had the class meeting, interims were due, and I had about 65,000 other things to do. Luckily, I have this face:

To come come to. This whole month is going to be insanely busy. After prom, I have every senior event, which culminates with graduation. I cannot wait...CANNOT WAIT...until graduation. I am probably going to need everyone to say a little prayer that I make it that far. Between fretting over class finances, trying to make sure everything is ready to go, and fielding the same question overandoverandover from students, I may go insane.

Things I am looking forward to this May: my first Mother's Day!, The Melting Pot mommy club dinner, my class graduating, and the coming of June! June...the month of Lily's first birthday. Ekk!

Alright, I am off to work on Lily's invitations. I should be grading. But not now. Not tonight. Tonight is for Lily's invitations and my sanity.