New Moms Beware

I have to wear a "hard brace" on my wrist/thumb for the next month because of a new mom injury...ha! I have a tendon that is moving around my wrist and the other day my thumb actually popped out of socket and stayed there. Apparently this happens sometimes to mothers with small baby's. The bigger the baby gets, the more it damages the tendon....weird. So this brace is supposed to give my wrist a month long break and give it a chance to heal. Cross your fingers!

One of "those" days

If you are reading this blog then you have definitely heard me complain over the last several months about being tired, about losing my baby weight or some other complaint I'm sure. Well, today is NOT one of "those" days. I have had the best day so far (it's 11:15am) and since I always voice my bitching and moaning, I thought I should share this too! My day started off at 8 am. Caroline woke up a little later than usual and gave me a few mintes of extra sleep and anyone who knows me knows how much sleep means to me :) But the best part was I was woken up by the sounds of her cooing and laughter. She was so content and happy just being awake in her crib...so sweet. So I get her up, we play a little and then I make my coffee JUST PERFECT. If you don't drink coffee you won't understand that...but if you do...you know what I mean! So, after my perfect coffee, we load up in the stroller and go on a walk. It was a beautiful morning and we took a nice long stroll around the neighborhood. When we get home, Miss Caroline is rubbing her eyes for that morning nap...YES! When I put her down, she doesn't make a peep and goes right to sleep (this is rare:) So, I take off my old walking clothes and throw on a bathing suit and take a running leap into the pool. WOW! Nothing better than a morning swim...the cool water and the warm sun. I spent a few minutes just swimming and thanking God for this beautiful day. Times like this don't happen enough...when I just sit back and think about how thankful I am to be where I am in life. I am so happy to be a mom and a wife and a daughter and a friend. I need ( and I'm sure most people will agree to this) to take a step back and just be thankful for NOW. This is my life and I love it.

A Funny Picture

Caroline LOVES Madison and Madison Loves Caroline. How funny is this!

My first Mother's Day

I have to say my first Mother's Day was a fantastic day. You get treated like a queen...it was such an unexpected surprise...card, presents, wine, etc. We went to Grandover for a GRAND brunch and then I went back today for a day at the spa. Very nice! This is a picture of me and my sweet pea on Mother's day! I am sooo grateful and proud to be her mother!

Who would have thought...so many babies!

Last Friday I went to Charlotte to visit Lindsey Turner and her new baby Reilly. I rode down with a dear friend Elena, whom I have recently reconnected with. The three of us went to high school together and now we all have babies that are within six months in age. It was a great day! Elena and Dylan (5 months) Lindsey and Reilly (1 month) and Mollie and Caroline (7 months)

A Special Gift

I was watching Oprah the other day and saw a segment about International Project Breastmilk. The organization collects breastmilk from healthy, lactating women and sends it to hospitals in Africa to help very sick new born babies. Most of the babies recieving the milk are orphans b/c their parents have died of AIDS. The sick babies immune systems benefit so much from the breastmilk. I could go on and on listing the benefits. Anyway, Caroline has allowed me to be able to donate milk to this wonderful cause. I am only nursing her three times a day and the rest of the day she is eating food and drinking juice. I just think it is such a special way to help little babies and it just so happens that my body is up for the challenge. Pass this info on to any women you might know that would be interested.
www.breastmilkproject.org

A Great (and very easy) Dinner

Beef Stew
Ladies I know Beef Stew might not sound great...but this really is sooo tasty and so easy! Tony said it is his new favorite meal...impress your man with this one! I promise you it is really yummy!

1-2 lbs of stew beef
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg of Lipton onion soup mix (dry)
1 soup can of red wine ( and then you can drink the rest with dinner)

Put all ingredients in a casserole dish. Cover and cook for 4 hours at 275.
Serve over rice or egg noodles. AWESOME dinner!