Recharging my Batteries

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This last week proved to be incredibly difficult as I found myself carrying the weight of an abundantly full plate. Between an infant with a double ear infection, the unexpected loss of a dear friend, and the stress of transitioning into a new job position, it left very little time to write purposeful blog pieces. Since embarking on this blog journey, I have faithfully posted almost every day without fail. However I quickly realized that stress can adversarially impede the writing process.

This weekend, however, proved to be exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries before starting my first day at my new job today. My mom and madrina (godmother) came into town and brought the love, hugs, and positive affirmations I desperately needed. Between margaritas at Gringo’s, some retail therapy, comfort food (fried green tomatoes, French fries, and an amazing burger topped with a fried egg) at Whiskey Cake, and some screen time at the movie theater (Home Again), it was a perfect weekend.

Living so far away from family proves to be a challenging endeavor. Trying to sync everyone’s schedule to make time to get together involves an extensive amount of calendar coordinating. When the stars align though and we can all be in the same place long enough to relish in the laughter and marathon conversations, familial homeostasis is restored.

Thank you Patti and Mom for making the drive up this weekend to visit. The boys loved seeing you just as much as I did. In fact, this afternoon as we were unpacking backpacks, lunch boxes, and the like, Liam said, “Mom, why isn’t Dolly still here? She usually stays a lot longer. I really wish she hadn’t left.” His sentiments definitely mirrored mine. Whether it’s a weekend or a week, it’s never enough time! Until next time, sending you both love, light, and gratitude.

Running is a Gift

Categories Family, Running, Special People, Success, UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Running is a Gift

meg

I first met Meg, the summer before I started my junior year at The University of Texas. I was recruited by a former teacher to run as the anchor leg for The South Padre Island Beach Mamas at the Beach to Bay Relay in Corpus Christi. I was the only runner on the team who wasn’t a mother but perhaps because of my hometown roots, they made an exception. I remember immediately being in awe of her athletic abilities and her incredible abs. I hoped that one day, I too would exude a similar running prowess.

Fast forward five years, to my first year teaching. I spent the fall training solo for the Houston marathon, driving to the beach on the weekends to complete my long runs with Norma and Karen. After the marathon, as my mom and I waited to board the plane, Dayna approached me about running with her group. I was eager to train with others as running in the quiet, dark early morning hours had proved to be rather lonely, so I agreed to join them the following week for a run.

For the next two and half years, Meg, Dayna, Michael, Scott, David, Mark, and I met multiple times a week for training runs. We gutted it out around the Marine Military Academy track for morning speed work sessions, ran up and down the McElvy Trail hills over twenty times a run in hopes of preparing for hillier marathon courses outside the Valley, and ran so many loops around the Harlingen Country Club, it’s a wonder we didn’t get dizzy. We charted out long run through the streets of Harlingen and parts of San Benito, always finding our second wind on the last stretch sprinting towards the Heart Clinic.

Each of these runs was special in its own right. Meg and Michael, the oil and water of our group, were always at each others throats. We often joked they bickered like an old married couple even though we all knew Meg’s heart forever belonged to Bill. Their opinionated banter often had us roaring in laughter. Sometimes just Meg, Dayna, and I ran delving into more serious topics of conversation about our lives, families, hopes, and hardships. Meg was always such a source of strength and support. She had a way of making even the most difficult of times seem managable.

When I moved to Houston seven years ago, leaving those friendships behind was so difficult. Who would I train with in a new city? Who could match their personalities and the dynamic we all shared? It seemed like such a daunting thought thinking about starting all over again.

Every holiday or visit I made to the Valley up until pregnancy included a run with my Harlingen running crew. Each time, it was as though I had never left. We picked up where we left off, filled each other in on what we’d missed, and always talked about our next big race and the training it would require.

Yesterday we lost an incredible gift. Meg, you will be missed by so many. Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your inner circle while I lived in Harlingen. You inspired me, encouraged me, and supported me in so many ways. You taught me the importance of balancing a career, a family, and a passion for running. Your beautiful smile and strong opinions were truly my most favorite things about you.

Last night searching through email archives I found a note she sent me when I first moved to Houston. It truly encompasses the kind of friend she was.

 Hey Sweetie,

My best wishes to you for the SF marathon. I bet you will do a great job & exceed your expectations. I hope so anyway! Please post your time on Facebook when it’s all over so we can see.

I am running again, trying to get back into shape during the season I hate most in South Texas! It doesn’t seem fair that someone can train for over 20 years of their life and be dedicated and committed to a sport, and get “out of VO2 Xchange shape in a matter of Weeks!! I am stubborn. I will get back into shape for Philadelphia my birthday weekend – Nov 20. Dayna is doing it with me!

Should be cold in Phili in Nov. I hope so anyway!

Hope you are doing well & happy at your new home. We get to Houston  a few times a  year. I will try to track you down.  Wish you the best for the race & your new job/ studies.

All my love,

meg

Running is a gift not because of the physical and mental benefits it provides but because of the amazing training partners you share the road with. When you look past the miles, sweat, and body odor, there is a vulnerability that comes from laying it all on the line when you lace up your running shoes. There’s something that happens in a long run when you let your walls down and pour your heart out.  A running friendship is truly an exceptional gift with exponential payouts.

Meg, you will forever have a special place in my heart. May you find eternal rest in Heaven. Godspeed!

The First of Many

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For parents, the first day of kindergarten is undoubtedly a monumental day; a day that signifies your little one really isn’t so little anymore. Monday marked Liam’s first day of kindergarten. Because of Hurricane Harvey, the start date was delayed by almost two weeks. When the big day finally came, he was absolutely ecstatic.

The night before his clothes were picked. He was eager to wear his new Star Wars tee and blue laceless sneakers. His lunchbox was prepped with Cheez Its, a ham and turkey sub, a yogurt pouch, and a Rice Krispie treat; all compliments of Lunchables. I don’t usually encourage Lunchables but was more than happy to appease his first day lunch request this time around. He set his alarm and went to bed full of excitement.

In the morning, the smiles and excitement continued. He posed for the obligatory first day pictures, even requesting the opportunity to take a photo with his little brother. We dropped Atticus off at daycare and headed to Shipley’s for a special first day breakfast of donuts and strawberry milk. On our drive to school, he chatted about the things he was looking forward to most- recess and riding the school bus back to daycare.

We arrived a little before 8:30 and stood alongside other families eager to walk their children in on their first day. At 8:30 several very excited teachers ran out of the building yelling, “It’s the first day of school!” This signaled the beginning of his first day. Together we walked hand-in-hand down the hall towards his classroom. It was a sea of backpacks, lunchboxes, and children. I could see a few nerves creeping in slowly across his face. I leaned down and whispered to him that it was ok to feel nervous. I always felt nervous on the first day too.

When we walked into the classroom, his teacher greeted him with a hug. He found his seat, gave us both incredible bear hugs, and looked longingly at us as we waved goodbye and walked out. Leaving him behind was bittersweet. I knew he was more than ready academically and socially for this new chapter, but leaving him behind was difficult, nonetheless.

At the end of the day, Sean and I picked up both boys together at daycare. This is a rarity but one of the cars was in the shop so we carpooled to work that day. Liam greeted us with a giant smile and raved about his first day. He proudly marched out of daycare with a hat made out of construction paper and sentence strips that said, “I  rocked my first day of kindergarten.” His enthusiasm and praise were music to his parents’ ears, no doubt!

Now halfway through the first week, our kindergartner is still eager to get to school in the morning and comes home with positive things to say. I couldn’t be more grateful he’s off to a great start! Here’s to an incredible school year!

New Beginnings

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My career as a school counselor began three years ago at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, a small inner city Catholic school in the heart of the Fifth Ward in Houston. It was here that I developed a comprehensive guidance program and built a rapport with my students and their families. I could have never prepared myself for the joy that came from helping others academically, socially, and emotionally. It was a difficult school to walk away from; but when a new opportunity knocked, I answered.

Two years ago, prayerful intentions led me to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School where I continued to grow as a school counselor. With an open heart and an open mind, I found my work incredibly rewarding and very quickly grew to love the faculty, students, and families. My days were brighter because of elementary students’ bright smiles and hugs. My heart was happier because of the joy that came from coaching cheer and track; a position I took very seriously as I suited out for practice just like my athletes and led them in workouts around the track. I challenged myself in many ways professionally- leading accommodations meetings, advocating for students with learning difficulties, and meeting the social and emotional needs of many, including faculty and staff. Professionally, I was happy, fulfilled, and content.

Then on the Friday of my first week back at work, I received a phone call from the Director of Admissions at St. John XXIII College Prepatory High School. They had a school counseling vacancy and expressed interest in having me come by for an interview. I found myself immediately torn. I loved the work I was doing at St. Elizabeth but recognized the tremendous opportunities for growth the new position offered. Despite the conflict I felt, I knew I at least needed to interview for the position because I didn’t want to leave myself carrying around any “what ifs?”. My first interview went well, which led to a callback from the principal, and second interview with him. By midweek, I was offered the position, and knew I had a significant amount of soul searching to do.

After prayerful consideration and several heart-to-heart conversations with my closest family and friends, I decided that this opporunity was too good to pass up. The timing was far from ideal; leaving my current position less than a month into the new year and taking on a new role in a new school later in the game. Nevertheless, I’m eager to embark on this new journey and challenge myself professionally in new ways.

A few weeks ago, my post focused on the adage, “everything happens for a reason.” God put this new opporunity in my lap for a reason. This did not happend by accident. My principal notified the faculty and parents about my new position this afternoon. I’m incredibly grateful for his support and look forward to what the future holds. My last day at St. Elizabeth is this Friday. I will take the next few days to say my goodbyes and prepare for this next phase in my professional life.

So here’s to new beginnings, moving forward, and embracing the adventure that lies ahead. Thank you St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for the tremendous opportunities. You will forever have a place in my heart!

A Saturday with my Bears

Categories Dinner ideas, Family, Happiness, Low carb, Recipes, Special People, Summer fun, VegetarianLeave a Comment on A Saturday with my Bears

Yesterday could not have been a more beautiful day. The sky was crystal blue with wisps of clouds painted here and there across its palette. The cooler temperatures were a welcome reprieve from the hot conditions that kept us indoors and out of the blazing sun for a good portion of the summer.

What better way to take in this gorgeous day than with a picnic at the playground! I loaded up our picnic basket with traditional fare including sandwiches, cookies, tomatoes, and grapes. With a basket full of goodies and two boys eager to enjoy the day, we set out to one of our favorite playgrounds in the neighborhood. The climbing structures are perfect for an adventurous five-year-old and the Astroturf and covered playground spaces are ideal for a crawling infant.

With cooler temperatures in the forecast for the next few days, it seemed like the right time to make a hearty pot of vegetable beef soup. It’s a great dinner fix but also pulls double duty by serving as leftovers for the week. I love anything that takes the stress out of midweek meal planning.

This soup offers a wide variety of options and provides an ideal mix of fresh and canned items so it’s easy to pull from your kitchen staples in a pinch. Without the ground beef, it’s also a delicious vegetarian choice. Adding brown rice or barley can stretch the soup even further too.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable all suffice)
  • 1 pound of lean ground beef
  • 1 can of cut green beans, drained
  • 1 can of whole kernel sweet corn, drained (frozen works great too)
  • 1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes
  • 4 cups of fresh spinach
  • 1 bunch of carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 sweet onion, chopped
  • 4-6 small white potatoes, chopped
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • parmesan cheese to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a large soup pot over medium high heat, saute onions and garlic in some olive oil until fragrant. Next add the carrots, and saute for a few mintues. Then add the ground beef and saute until brown. Next it’s go time for the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, potatoes, and broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover, turn up the heat (high), and bring to a boil for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then add the green beans and corn and continue cooking until the potatoes are soft. Turn the heat off and stir in the fresh spinach. Serve with artisan rolls and a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese.

A hearty soup, delicious artisan rolls, and a glass of red wine made for a perfect dinner. Liam and Atticus had their fill of vegetables, and both smiled through the entire meal. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better Saturday with my favorite bears.

Image-1 (38)

 

A Coach with an Incredible Heart

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A great coach motivates, inspires, and brings out the best in their athletes. With over 20 years of competitive distance running under my belt, I have trained under a handful of coaches who brought out the best in me athletically. No one, however, deserves the honor of the greatest coach more than my middle school and high school track and cross-country coach, Sylvia Torres.

Her dedication to the sport and to her athletes inspired so many of us to chase our dreams across sandy beaches, grassy fields, and an all-weather track. Every morning, I sat on my parent’s washing machine in the utility room anxiously awaiting her arrival in my driveway. She would pull up in her red mini van, and I would scurry out the door to meet her. She had three young girls at home still asleep, so my spot in the van was always in Taylor’s car seat. Coach Torres always had a smile on her face when she picked us up. If she was tired, she never let it show. By the end of our route, the van was busting at the seams with athletes eager to start their morning run.

As we all filed out of the van and carried our bags into the locker room, she was usually trailing after us telling us how far we’d be running that morning. It was always still dark outside when we started. We ran a straight stretch from the high school into town and then turned around at a halfway point indicated by Coach Torres. These workouts were usually lighter than our afternoon workouts and provided ample opportunities to laugh and converse with our teammates.

After school, we piled into a school van to do it all over again. This time, though, Coach Torres would drive us across the causeway to the sandy beaches of South Padre Island. Some afternoons it was tempo or progressive workout along the shoreline. My favorite workout and oftentimes the most difficult was our weekly hill workout through the sand dunes. The soft sand was brutal on the calves, especially because getting traction was almost impossible. We would chart out a course in the highest dunes on the north end of the island, and she would time us with her stopwatch; yelling out our splits as we crossed the makeshift finish line drawn in the sand.

Coach Torres had an infectious laugh that was contagious. There are many times I remember her laughing so hard she started crying. Two instances that stand out in my mind both involve our rental car at the state cross country meet my sophomore year. The day before the race, we drove out to Roundrock to jog the course. On our way back, she kept saying that something seemed off about the way the car was driving. When we pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, we noticed the tires of the rental were emitting smoke. It turns out she had forgotten about the parking break and had driven the entire way back with it on. We both laughed and laughed about the error. I was so nervous that it definitely helped ease the nerves I was feeling about the big race.

The next morning we drove back to Roundrock for the meet. My stomach was in knots and traffic was a little heavy, so we arrived with very little time to warm up. To make matters worse, the parking situation was difficult, so we parked in a muddy field; she told me the jog to the starting line would be my warm up. I meandered up the road to the start, checked in with the line judges, and did some sprints from the starting box to finish warming up. Soon the starting gun went off, and I charged towards the front. After the first mile, I made a bold decision to take the lead. With second place, hot on my heels I pushed myself harder to extend my lead. I crossed the finish line first cinching the State 3A Cross-Country title. I remember the pride I felt as I scanned the crowd looking for her. She was beaming, and we embraced in a hug; relishing in the victory and everything it took for both of us to get here.

After the awards ceremony, we made our way back to the rental car only to discover that we were stuck. I will never forget standing behind the car with my gold medal around my neck, pushing the car as she steered with it in neutral; mud flying up all around me. When we were finally in the clear, I returned to passenger side of the vehicle, and we both laughed so hard at the predicament we had just gotten ourselves out of. With Coach Torres, there was never a dull moment.

Shortly before she passed away, my mom and I visited her at MD Anderson. I know she was in a lot of pain, but she still greeted me with that familiar smile. I shared running stories with her telling her about my running accomplishments since moving to Houston. That year, I received the honor of HARRA Open Female Runner of the Season. I had the Texas Runner Triathlete magazine with me to show her photos of me racing that season. And just like all of those years before, that same pride welled inside her.

Soon a doctor knocked on the door signaling the end of our visit. I hugged her, walked towards the door, and turned saying, “Goodbye, Coach Torres.” I remember the doctor saying in surprise, “I didn’t know you were a coach.” Almost out of earshot, I heard her say, “Yes. I was her cross-country and track coach. She was one of the best runners I ever coached.” My mom and I walked down the hall towards the elevator both in tears. This woman selflessly gave me a piece of her every day for five years. She lifted me up on the days I felt my weakest and pushed me further on the days I felt my best.

Yesterday marked her two year death anniversary. It seemed only appropriate to dedicate today’s morning run to you, Coach. I was blessed to have you in my life. Your leadership and direction as my middle school and high school cross-country and track coach laid the groundwork for my love of distance running. I know I am one of the many Tarpon athletes who still misses you dearly. Thank you for your tireless effort and unwavering support.

 

Houston Runs 4 Harvey

Categories Faith, Inclement weather, Running, Uncategorized1 Comment on Houston Runs 4 Harvey

Tonight I laced up my running shoes in solidarity with other Houston Area Road Runners as part of HARRA’s Houston Runs 4 Harvey 5K. Participating runners had the option of joining them this evening at TC Jester Park in Houston for a 5K or running the same distance at a satellite location of your choice.

I set out later than normal. The night was eerily quiet with just the rhythmic hum of the cicadas cheering me on. As my feet hit the pavement, I fell into a cadence that easily allowed me to get lost in thought. With each step forward, I pushed myself a little harder and coaxed myself to run a little faster.

The deep orange glow on the horizon and a lone star shining brightly in the sky served as my guide to a finish line that only existed in my head. I weaved through twists and turns in the road racing against the clock closing in on 3.1 miles. As I ran, my head raced with negative thoughts about a hurricane named Harvey who brought destruction and heartache to so many people in the Gulf Coast areas of Texas. I thought of the people I knew directly and the ones I read about or saw on the local news who were directly impacted.

As my pace continued to quicken so too did my heart rate. My chest began to burn, but I still pushed on coaxing a swell of emotions out at the same time. My heart ached for so many who lost their lives, homes, and treasures to Harvey. My heart swelled with pride for a city I’ve called home for the last seven years that came together to support those who needed them most.

When my watch finally flashed 3.1 miles signaling the end of tonight’s virtual run, I found myself overcome with emotion. I stopped my watch, slowed to a walk, and found myself fighting back tears. For me, the completion of tonight’s run symbolized the end of a monster that took it’s toll across southeast Texas. A monster that left many wounded in it’s path; a path that still requires a lot of stamina, faith, and charity to overcome and rebuild what was lost.

As I turned the corner around the lake, a perfectly round moon with an orange glow took my breath away. It hung low cast perfectly on a blanket of black and purple sky. In that moment of natural beauty, I found myself reflecting on truth, goodness, and light. Those of us who lost nothing must serve as the light for those who have lost it all; coming together in goodness to help our neighbors through charitable giving.

Baby Steps

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It feels like it happened overnight, but this long weekend has proven to be a busy one when you have a 10 month old that is literally into everything. Like The Flash, he’s dashing across the floor on all fours zeroing in on the next chair, door, wall, or pair of legs to pull up on. As our baby bear is on the move, the rest of the den are hot on his tail making sure he’s not crawling into a dangerous situation.

Yesterday morning the amount of crawling and pulling up was at an all time high. Sean and I decided it was time to try containing him, at least for a while, so we could knock out some of our usual Sunday to do’s. Inevitably it was time for us to set up the playpen. Sean assembled it behind the couch and lowered Atticus in with a handful of toys. Curiosity kicked in and before we knew it, he was happy as a clam exploring his new space. Before long crawling turned into pulling up and then…

Almost immediately my anxious mom tendencies kicked into high gear as I envisioned my sweet baby boy face planting on our hardwood floor. Very quickly his playpen was moved into the living room and placed on softer ground- the carpet.

His strength, resilience, and inherent curiosity are qualities I deeply admire. I want him to feel empowered in his physical abilities as he takes risks, experiences failures, and ultimately conquers his next challenge- learning to walk. In life, we have to take it one step at a time, and sometimes those steps work best when they are calculated and slow. Here’s to the baby steps that propel all of us forward!

Hurricane Harvey Home Cookin’

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The conditions of Hurricane Harvey made it nearly impossible for us to venture too far from the house from last Friday through Tuesday. Even before the storm hit, local grocery stores were out of the essentials including bread and milk. Thursday evening after work, I zipped through H-E-B snatching up food items that were still available, but it was anyone’s guess when I’d have the opportunity to return to the grocery store to restock.

With the kitchen staples I readily keep on hand, I was able to make a home-cooked meal for almost an entire week before restocking the pantry and refrigerator was necessary. Because I was using what I had on hand, most of last week’s recipes included some form of sausage. I capitalized on a sale recently so I had more on hand than usual. Many of them would be delicious with ground beef or even completely meatless. Most importantly though they provided comfort in a time of uncertainty for my family. We weathered the storm together and enjoyed the comforts of home cooking.

I’ve condensed the recipes into more of a brief synopsis of the dish. Feel free to request the entire recipe in the comments section. Buen provecho!

BASIC SPAGHETTI- I posted this recipe earlier in the week, but it was the first of the many home cooked meals that were plated and served to my bears this week.

SAUSAGE TACOS- A simple and easy dinner ready in no time. Saute sliced onion and sliced bell pepper until the onion is translucent and the peppers are soft. I happened to have orange on hand but red or yellow or a combination are great too. If I have mushrooms on hand, I’ll throw those in the mix too, but I used them all the day before when I made spaghetti. This recipe could easily be vegetarian by nixing the sausage. Add the sausage and saute until heated through. Serve in warm tortillas topped with salsa and a side of rice. I love using Tilda’s Mexican style rice. I saute it in a little olive oil along with frozen corn, peas, and half a can of garlic fire roasted tomatoes (drained). Delicioso!

RATATOUILLE- Ordinarily I would also include zucchini and onion and serve with fresh parmesan cheese over the top but I was out of these items by the time I cooked this dish in the week. Saute onions, garlic, garbanzo beans, and Italian sausage on medium high until brown. Then add the artichoke hearts (drained) and the fire roasted tomatoes. Let simmer until ready. Serve over brown rice.

BACON & EGG CUPS- For my Paleo friends, this is a savory, carb friendly dish that is super easy to assemble and is ready in 15 minutes. This doubles as a great breakfast option so you can make extra and have them ready to grab on your way out the door to work. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a regular size muffin tin with cooking spray. Cut the bacon in half and form a cross in each tin. Crack an egg over each bacon cross, insert asparagus, and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. I typically use fresh asparagus but only had frozen on hand. It proved to be a great substitute and is easy to store in the freezer to use over and over again. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy. Serve with fresh cherry tomatoes and sliced apples or a side salad.

GRILLED CHEESE- This one is a fan favorite of Liam’s. The secret to perfectly grilled bread is mayonnaise, but don’t tell Liam because he thinks he hates it. Spread mayo onto both side of two slices of multi-grain bread. Grill on medium high heat in a skillet. Brown both sides ensuring that one side is more golden than the other. Sandwich between the more golden sides of each slice of bread. Continue heating until both sides match their center counterpart and are browned to golden perfection. I had mild cheddar and provolone in the fridge so I used both. Serve with tomato soup and a dill pickle spear. My favorite is Pacifica’s Organic Tomato Soup. This is the easiest, throw together meal that your baby bears will love as much as you. It always takes me back to my own childhood!

grilled cheese

CANADIAN BACON CUPS- In essence this dish is a gluten-free, no-crust pizza option that packs the flavor without the carbs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the muffin tin with cooking spray and layer three slices of Canadian bacon to form a flower. I used an extra-large muffin tin this time around. Depending on the size and thickness, you could also use a regular size muffin tin. I only made enough for each of us to have one, but you could make more and save them for an easy lunch option for work. Top with one tablespoon of tomato sauce and then add the toppings of your choice. I actually used my leftover ratatouille as a topping but picked out the garbanzo beans. The Italian sausage and artichoke hearts were perfect. Pineapple would be a great Hawaiian option or consider pepperoni and olives. Then top with mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is brown. Remove with a spatula and drain the excess sauce at the bottom of the tin before serving. Even Liam thought these “wannabe pizzas” were yummy!

 

A Baby fills a Place in your Heart…

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Today my sweet Atticus celebrates ten months of life. How this little cutie is closing in on a year absolutely blows my mind. This month proved to be the most difficult of photo shoots as the evidence proves. While there were a few diamonds in the rough, overall Atticus was not up for the paparrazi’s demands this morning.

Atticus is definitely at an age where he is into everything. Pulling up on the side of his crib, the coffee table, and just about anything he can get his hands on. The movement is nonstop. I definitely have my work cut out for me chasing after my little crawler, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even a simple diaper change resembles a criminal trying to resist arrest. I place him on his back, and he’s immediately trying to roll over onto his stomach, bare bottom exposed for all the world to see. It’s made getting a fresh nappy on him a rather harrowing experience. Naturally to the outisde observer it’s the comedic relief they need in their day, but for me the struggle is real, Mama Bears!

I’m amazed how much he’s grown into his own little person and how he continues to surprise me with every developmental milestone he reaches. Some days he’s a camera hound, and he just can’t smile enough for me. The photo montage below illustrates some of his happier moments this week.  But even the happiest of people are human and have their off days where it’s more like, “Umm. Yeah, No!” Either way, I find every little thing absolutely precious, even when I’m covered in spit up or waking up in the middle of the night by a teething tot. I won’t get these little moments back, so I hold on to them tightly because I know they’ll be gone in the blink of an eye.

When Liam found his way into my life he was a tenacious toddler; far more independent than an infant. Since Atticus’s birth in November, it’s been full blown immersion into all things baby. Every day I find something to marvel in. I regularly have to resist the urge to break into full blown mommy tears; sometimes for the most insignificant reasons (I’ll admit that writing today’s post came with it’s own waterworks show). It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

“A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty.” While the author who put it so eloquently into words is unknown, their sentiments couldn’t ring more true for this Mama Bear. Slow down, my sweet, baby boy. You’re already growing up way too fast!