Random Mommy Thoughts/Memories

- I will never forget her always saying "He-wo" when she answered the phone. Although I am glad that her language has since developed, I secretly wouldn't mind if she continued to say this. It's so cute!

- Of all things for her to be obsessed with, did she have to choose Barney.

- I will try to refrain from hugging & kissing her for the umpteenth time today.

- Barney went off...yay!

- Will this runny nose last all winter?

- I think I will put off bath night until tomorrow.

- Pen on the couch, crayon on the wall...ugh!!

- I'm still amazed at how much I love her.

~ Enjoying every moment of Camryn!

Daycare Blues

For the second time in a month both my daughter and I are sick with colds that she brought home from the daycare. Her nose has been runny for the last 3 days and my throat hurts like hell.
Frickin daycare!!!

My Fabulous Camryn

Not to toot my own horn but...beep beep!

Camryn's second birthday is coming up soon and she's already showing signs of the terrible two's. She can be impatient, sometimes throw tantrums, and picks and chooses when she wants to do what I tell her to do...

But when it's all said and done, she is an absolutely terrific child.

She's loving, sweet, and full of life. The thing that I love most about her is that she is always game to dance on cue and already has a great sense of humor.

It's funny that she is so different from how I imagined my child to be...maybe a little shy, quiet, attached to me. She is none of that....

Sometimes I just can't believe how great motherhood can be. People can tell you how wonderful it is all day long, but it's one of those things that you just have to experience for yourself. Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of days that she gets on my ABSOLUTE last nerve, but that's just a part of the deal. The amazing part is getting to see the world through her eyes...the awe and wonder that she possesses and her curiosity for everything around her. It's just a blessing to have her in my life.

I sometimes find myself wondering...what was I ever doing with my life without her?

Today Was More Than I Bargained For

For the past week I had been looking forward to my daughter's first swim lessons today.

The class, Supertots, is held once a week at the YMCA and is really just a way to get the kids acquainted with the water. I know that she is only 22 months old, but she has a lot of energy and I felt like this would be a good activity for her to start with.

So a friend and I went to the class and everything was great. Camryn loved the water and had a lot of fun.

Then the trouble started.

After dropping my friend off at her apartment, I saw an old friend from work standing outside with her baby. I was never able to see her baby because she was on maternity leave when I was laid off. So I turned around and Camryn and I got out of the car to see them. About five minutes into our conversation, another former co-worker pulled up and came over with her 3 year old to talk too. -- Coincidentally, they happen to live in the same apartment complex.

Camryn and her three year old son were excited to see each other and began playing. Everything was cool until they decided to run to the fountain/pond at the entrance of the complex. In a split second, Camryn got too close and slipped in.

Now mind you all of this happened within about 30 seconds...but it felt like a lifetime to me. My former co-worker saw this happen before I did so she took off running toward the pond. I was right behind her and we both dived in. We were only about a yard away but when we got to Camryn she was in the water sideways and scared. I was going crazy and the second I got her I almost burst into tears and went into shock at the same time.

Camryn was fine and completely over it in about 5 minutes. I, on the other hand, was completely freaked out. I thanked my former co-worker a thousand times and then said my goodbyes to go home.

I am still freaked out by this. The thing that gets me is that it could have been so much worse. Accidents happen with children all of the time and it really can happen in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts of Mike Tyson's daughter have been in my head....

I plan to send my former co-worker a gift card first thing next week to say thank you again. She didn't hesitate to jump in the water to grab my child as if it were her own and that was not lost on me.

And best believe, I am saying my prayers tonight.

To end on a lighter note, here is the only picture I was able to get of her at the swim lesson....

I Love It...and Her

This picture was taken nearly a year ago on a random day at my mother's house...and I love it. She has taken so many pictures since then but this one is my absolute favorite and melts my heart every time I see it....it will probably have the same effect 20 years from now...my sweet baby...

Mama Never Told Me There'd Be Days Like This

Meet Camryn.















She's the bright-eyed munchkin who drove me crazy today.

At times being a mother is the strangest balance in life...you love them so much and they make you smile, but bedtime/naptime can't come fast enough.

Today I looked at the clock around 6pm and told myself, "only three more hours until you can relax". Those three hours were filled with spaghetti...on her own plate and everywhere else, spaghetti on my plate, numerous requests for juice, book reading, counting, cuddling, tantrums, and laughter.

As I'm sitting here now, she is fast asleep and my living room floor is covered with flash cards, toys, and pillows from the sofa that she delighted in throwing down.

It will not be cleaned up tonight...but hey, at least the dishes are done.

Jill Scott called life "a beautiful struggle" and this is exactly how I would describe life as a mother - the most unpredictable and challenging, yet rewarding experience one can have.

And then you get up the next day and do it all over again.

My Second Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I spent the night at my mother's and it turned out to be a relaxing and fun day with the family.

Camryn is almost 2 now and I can't imagine my life without her. She's so sweet yet boisterous and by the grace of god, is a very confident and secure child.

My first year of motherhood was a tough one to say the least. Her father and I split shortly after she was born and I quickly came to understand the challenges and responsibilities of being a single mother. On top of that, my finances were in shambles. I had credit card debt, furniture debt, a car payment and could barely keep my head above water trying to pay $600 a month in childcare. Formula disappeared in the blink of an eye and I was working mad hours at my job. It was a whirlwind.

Fortunately we pulled through and the storm is over. My family rallied to my side without judgment or prying and I am forever thankful to them for doing so. Camryn is and always has been a wonderful baby and kept me going through it all. I love her more than anything and we have a bond like no other.

I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world. It's made me stronger and a more compassionate and empathetic person.

Either way, being a mother is amazing and for every woman in the world that is fortunate enough to be called so...always know that we are awesome for all that we do.

Happy Mother's Day!