Happy Halloween!

First Halloween!

Today a lot of children will visit your door. Be open minded. The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues. The child who does not say "trick or treat" or "thank you" might be painfully shy, non-verbal, or selectively mute. If you cannot understand their words, they may struggle with developmental apraxia of speech. They are thankful in their hearts and minds. The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have a life-threatening allergy. The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism. Be kind, be patient, smile, pretend you understand. It's everyone's Halloween. Make a parent feel good by making a big deal of their special child.

The Glue

Good Morning! See this man right here: He is the glue.

He holds the pieces together, fixes them when they are broken, finds them if they are lost.

I'm so blessed that God put this man in my life. Later, I will share our story but for now I want to put the spotlight on this guy.

For those of you who don't know, I ended up having an emergency C-Section. When I was in the hospital I wasn't able to get out of bed by myself.  If I needed help getting out of bed, he was there. If I needed to nurse, he brought her to me. I did not change one diaper. He took such great care of not only our daughter but myself too! He was so attentive to my needs. There is absolutely no glitz or glam when it comes to delivering a baby and ALL dignity and pride flies right out the window. Jimmy was so understanding, compassionate and gentle to my feelings and esteem.

In the long days of recovery, I still couldn't get in and out of bed by myself, I couldn't sit down by myself and he was there by my side helping me get through each and every step of recovery.

He did all the Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry. Seriously I don't think our house has ever been so well kept.

At first Addelyn hated baths, and I hated her reaction. Guess who bathed her?

-Jimmy.

Guess who cleaned her umbilical cord?

- Jimmy.

And guess who held her during all of her tests and shots?

-Jimmy.

After a long day of work, this guy comes home and brings calm to the storm. Have I mentioned Jimmy works crazy hours and most nights doesn't get home until after 7:30. 

Might I add that, 7:00 is Addelyn's witching hour. 

It is pandemonium at the Wilcox house when it's time to cook dinner. 

We rotate between the bjorn, swing and bouncer and sometimes I end up having to surrender. Leaving Jimmy to either finish the half cooked dinner or come to Addelyn's rescue.

And he does, with a smile on his face.

Not only does he help me get dinner on the table but he helps me juggle the rest of the evenings objectives. Dishes, get Little A ready for bed andddd he gives me time to take a quick quiet bath. If diapers need to be stocked he does it. If the wipes need to be replenished he does it. If the trash or diaper genie is full, he takes it out. 

ALL WITHOUT ASKING!

On his day off: he lets me sleep in. He makes breakfast. He changes diapers.

This man deserves an Award. He keeps this mommy sane. I'm so fortunate to have such an amazing husband who steps up to the plate, even after working so hard to provide for our family.

Our little one is spoiled with so much love by this doting daddy.  

And on a side note: This past weekend we went golfing to celebrate Daddy's and P-Paw's Birthday. 

Addelyn's first golf trip couldn't have gone better!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Sweet Berry Farm with the Hubs & Auntie Hallie!

Happy Friday!

The Bottom Five

This little one has been putting this mommy to the test for sure! In one of my previous blogs Before I Was a Mother  I touched on one of my "top five" challenges. Well today I thought I would fill you in on those five. I want to be real with my readers and share what other mothers might not!

During pregnancy, you really do spend a lot of time trying to prepare your heart and mind for being a mother. I myself did quite a bit of researching trying to figure out what would be that absolute hardest. I wanted to prepare myself for the challenges so I could be at an advantage! Most of what you find out there tells you this:

• Lack of sleep
• Breastfeeding
• Hating your husband?!
• Feeling fat
• Inability to take a time-out
• Feeling sexy
• Taking  care of your own needs

Before I go into detail I just want to emphasize that this is based on MY personal experience. What has been hard or easy for me maybe the opposite for you so please do not take any offense! Also keep in mind that every baby is different! Had you asked me to answer my five, six weeks ago it very well may have been a few of those, it is all a balancing game. 

#One: Having a voice

I use to think of myself as pretty easy going but now I realize I was just a plain push over. In the past if there was something I didn't want to do or eat etc... I would just go along with it and keep my preference to myself. I would keep confrontation to a minimum to prevent feelings from getting hurt etc...  As a mother you see the world in a much different way. You observe your surroundings much differently. Who is in my child's environment? Is this too loud? you get my drift. 

Man. Having a new baby out in the world really opens you up to some interesting situations. People will come and touch your baby... without asking... give you parenting advice... tell you if they think you should do something different- as if they know your baby better than you do. Well in the past I would have politely nodded, smiled and kept to myself if something was bothering me. BUT when you are looking out for your baby- it is different. 

I had a lady who came up to me, we began talking, she was telling me how sick she had been. AND THEN goes to TOUCH my baby. EXCUSE ME?

People ask you to do things that you know your baby isn't ready for- and then they take it personal and get offended. 

My husband and I went to a Nerium party (skin products) kinda like Pampered Chef. One of the ladies asked if she could hold Little A, so she did. Another asked and that was fine. BUT then a lady came up to me who was extremely out of her mind inebriated- you could tell was the norm for her and she clearly saw nothing wrong with the situation. She just witnessed two other people hold her... what do you say?! I mean sure you can say oh its time for her to eat... or she needs a diaper change or whatever... but that lady isn't getting any soberer (I may have just made up a new word?)

It's been so hard for me to use my voice and say... No. Or I think thats enough. I feel so guilty for this. I feel like a terrible mother. I am getting better but still. People see a new baby and act as if she's a baby doll or a toy. 

#Two: Leaving Her at Home
Jimmy and I had talked about what kind of parents we would be, and what we wanted to preserve in our marriage etc. We both agreed that dating each other would be a top priority! I think if I had gone back to work after six weeks this would have turned out differently for me over time, well because you have to leave. You working mothers out there, I COMMEND YOU! But when you stay home with your little one and the longest you've been apart from one another is for a stray hour here and there. It is so hard. It's like taking your heart out of your body setting it on the counter and saying be back later!

#Three: Car Rides
Most of the time she does great, she sleeps or just stares at herself in the mirror. But on occasion she gets hysterical.  If Jimmy and I are together it's fine. One of us can easily jump in the back and she finds enough comfort in that. But when this momma is flying solo, she cries to the point of dry-heaving and cries crocodile tears out the wazzoo. It breaks my heart. I've tried everything: white noise, music, talking; I can pull the car over and bink her, take her out and hold her or feed her. But once I put her right back in- she's back to it. It's hard to travel any where thats further than 20 minutes alone.

#Four: Time Management
Ladies, you know how hard it is to get out of the house on time when it's just you? It is for me! Well add a baby to the mix. Nurse. Eat. Shower. Get yourself ready. Get baby ready. Pack the diaper bag. Nurse again and GO! And then calculate the possibility of having to pull over! Its a routine that takes forever and that I have yet to master. 

#Five: Pumping
Do you know how often a infant nurses? Every two hours and the clock starts at the beginning of the feeding session. It takes on average 20-30 minutes for a baby to nurse and then to pump another 20-30. Once your done you've got an hour before it's time to do it all over again! Talk about crazy! I am terrible about pumping as much as I should!

While my bottom three are challenging, they do not tug at my heart as much as the top two. Being tired or lacking a shower or break or feeling fat etc... has all been easy for me compared to the two. I find it amazing how much God is teaching me through motherhood. No matter how much planning or prepping I've done, there will always be the unexpected. I'm learning to ride, the ride and be still to say the least!

Weekend Adventures

Things over at the Wilcox House have finally started to get back up to speed and for the past two weekends we have ventured out and about! 

Two weekends ago we took a small trip for Jimmy's Birthday up to Brownwood where Jimmy's Grandparents live. Traveling with a little one is quite an ordeal. There is so much you have to pack! She did so great for her first road trip.

Little A got to meet her PawPaw who is her GREAT-Grandpa... WOW! She was so infatuated listening to him and was full of coo's and smiles. 

Addelyn got to see her first Zebra which was more entertaining for mommy :-p.

We took a quick visit to see Mr. Buck over at a friend of ours Barn.

and enjoyed many snuggles as a family!

This past weekend Mommy and Little A went on our first of many trips to the Kelly Reeves Stadium to go watch Uncle P and Uncle M's UIL competition. First time all bundled up!

After we met Daddy at Z Tejas for a family dinner. YUM!

This past Sunday a Co-Worker of Jimmy's hosted their first Annual Clay Shoot. We left Addelyn in the wonderful care of our good friend and neighbor Lynn. It was super nice to have some "us time",  catch up with friends, meet new people, and soak up the great outdoors!

 Next weekend we are venturing out to Avery Ranch Golf Course to celebrate P-Paws Birthday with little A. Pictures to come!

Before I was a Mom

Before I Was a Mom
Author: Unknown

Before I was a Mom... I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone. 

Before I was a Mom... I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. 

Before I was a Mom... I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom... I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about Immunizations. 

Before I was a Mom... I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers. I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my body. I slept all night. 

Before I was a Mom... I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. 

Before I was a Mom... I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. 

Before I was a Mom... I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important. 

Before I was a Mom... I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom

This sure does resonate in my heart. Each one of these are so very true. I find it quite mind blowing how much a little one really changes you. I mean sure you know things will change and you know you will love your little one to the moon and back but nothing prepares you for the AMOUNT of love you are about to discover. Promoting to motherhood has reshaped my heart in so many wonderful ways and comical ways. Before I became a mother I had all of these "intentions/ plans". My how those have changed and you know how much of a planner I am! Sometimes I wonder if people think I'm one of "those" Moms?. But from what I have read on other blogs etc... It is normal for first time mommies to be a little more over-protective than they had "planned". I thought I would share a few...

Before I was a Mom... I thought I would jump right back into the gym once she turned 6 weeks (old enough to go to the day care in a gym). But my heart shatters every time I think about leaving her with a stranger, I'd rather be FAT. What is that!

Before I was a Mom... I told myself once I could get her established with drinking breast milk from a bottle that Jimmy and I would go out for a date night ASAP. Jimmy and I use to go dancing once a week it was our thing. But it actually took several more weeks than anticipated to prepare my heart for leaving our little peach.

Before I was a Mom... I thought it would be easy leaving her with a close friend or family member but it has been one of my TOP FIVE challenges of being a mother, I thought I would be racing out the door to get a little quiet time to myself grocery shopping etc...I didn't realize that the entire time away I would be thinking about going back home.

Before I was a Mom... I thought breast feeding was going to be one of the biggest challenges- thats at least what everyone tells you! But no... its actually pumping. Pumping is quite a task.

Before I was a Mom... I thought I would be jumping at the bit to get her shots, so she could go where ever with the peace of mind of her being protected of pertussis (whooping cough) etc.. But when it came down to it, I had anxiety for days. I thought about rescheduling and putting it off a million times. Theres nothing worse than hearing your little one cry in pain and anticipating your little one not feeling well for a few days. For those of you without little ones let me tell you that cry is heart wrenching!

Before I was a Mom... I could not wait to have a glass of wine or margarita etc.. But when the opportunity arose it was honestly kinda gross. Also the thought of having to wait to breast feed made me feel like I was missing out on "bonding" with her.

Before I was a Mom... We had planned on putting her in her room at night after 6 weeks then it was 2 months and now I don't even know when I'll be "ready". Some pediatricians recommend waiting till 6 MONTHS. Can you believe that? I'm not really sure where our journey will lead us there.

Before I was a Mom... I thought I would be able to sleep through the nights that were Jimmy's. It is IMPOSSIBLE to sleep through our little ones cries, much less her adorable coos and grunts.

I remember my mom always telling me that I would never understand how much she loved me until I had my own and BOY is that true! My advice to any new mothers out there or ones pondering the idea. Just know that nothing will prepare you for the strength of the bond you will have with your baby and if that changes your plans or intentions with parenting or your lifestyle THATS OKAY! Listen to your instincts and go along a timeline thats best for you and your baby! 

Nana rocking Little A while we were having date night.

Two Month Update

So Big!