Make Conscious Choices.

"You are who your children will be."  I dont know where this quote is from or who said it, but i have it written down in one of my journals from my pregnancy. It spoke loudly to me. "You are who your children will be."
We are chosen to be examples for these little souls put in our care. These tiny humans look up to us! Especially the breastfeeding babies- I mean, we are their entire world. (soak it up while it last!) The design of parent & child relationship .They will watch us and grow, and watch us some more and keep growing... then go off to do the same. so on and so on...
We really do shape the future, we need to raise them right!

I dont know about all babies, but Liberty is extremely aware of her surroundings at all times. Her whole existence is "taking it all in." Learning constantly. I love watching her face as she thinks, I mean really thinks about things... they are simple, basic things now; clapping, chewing, being gentle when you touch the cat (lord help us), but as she grows so will the responsibility of teaching her things. Not just how to do things but how to be; habits, mannerisms. She is going to watch how we act in situations- whether we respond or react.  (there is a difference)  
They are only these sweet, innocent, impressionable children once.  Its our responsibility to make their childhood count, to love them and to equip them with the tools that will best help them be productive positive members of the world. Thats my goal anyways.. 

Now that my child is a reality, I am aware of how important consistency is. I want us to be consistent with our parenting, with the choices we make daily. I want them to be positive, and thoughtful. Now is the time to focus on what really matters to you. what you really want for your future as a family, because that is what you will be focusing all your energy on for the rest of your life.

For me, its Happy & Healthy. Its togetherness. Its collecting memories rather than material items. Its outside not inside. I want simple, and practical, I want real. 


Lord I want to be intentional with my actions and conscious with my choices. Open my eyes and help me be more self aware. Amen
  

Ok. So..

That awkward, random, I have no idea what to type, very first blog entry. Its been a daydream of mine to begin a blog once my munchkin(s) entered the world, to give them something other than photos to look back on. Writing it down is all fine and dandy, but typing is much quicker, I can share with family & friends who are interested (my interest in Facebook is quickly fading). and it won't burn up if my house was ever to catch a blaze because it will be safe & sound in the world wide interweb. (yes, this is how my mind works)  Plus, I've really enjoyed reading the blogs of other mothers. Making a blog of my own helps me tap into that world a little bit more, and who knows what opportunities or relationships I'm missing out on right now!!!  I'll never know if i don't do it. 

Well, my munchkin is 9 months as of yesterday- this looks promising. I've always been discouraged right about now, never knowing how to start a blog. Over Thinking- it is my gift, it is my curse.  So I won't think about it at all.  I'll just start. Start with today, that seems easy enough..

Liberty has returned to her normal active, chatty, happy, mobile self after 2 days of her very first fever do to her very first tooth cutting through. It made my heart blue to watch her in so much discomfort, but I did my best as her mother to make it a little easier and made a point to enjoy every moment of still, quite, cuddly baby for those 2 days. 
I didn't try to get housework done, or run any errands. We canceled all plans (fun ones! I might add) I didn't feel guilty about staying in bed while the sun beamed outside. (as anyone naturally should!) I simply held my baby because that's what she needed. When she wasn't asleep on my chest, we nursed and cuddled and nursed some more. I wore her around the house singing, dancing, bouncing... anything to get a smile outta her, to sooth her aches and pains.
I call days like these my "giving days" - it really just puts a positive spin on the "draining days", or so I'd like to think.I remind myself that she is priority. Everything else can wait. 

Thank you God for the gift of motherhood and thank you most for blessing me with the chance to be able to spend it all with her. I will do my very best to enjoy it all. Amen