so, so good

let me just tell you quickly about the joy that is 6 weeks.

6 weeks is like this bridge that you have seen from a distance for so long and didn't quite know what was on the other side of it.  you keep getting closer and closer to it and the closer that you get the more exciting what is on the other side looks.  the hint of a smile, the start of recognition, the wonder and awe at every little movement.  and good grief if you don't feel like you have just run a marathon every single day those last 6 weeks, but you feel it in the best kind of way where you are so sore and tired but so incredibly exhilarated and proud that you don't actually have any recollection of running those first 25 miles.  and then you get to this bridge and you stand up on it (because you are now able to stand on your own two feet at this point) and you can look out to where you have come from and admire how beautiful those past six weeks were.  because they were beautiful, wildly and mysteriously beautiful especially when looking back from this vantage point.  and then you look out in the other direction and you can see those next six weeks stretched out before you and oh goodness do they look like fun.  full nights of sleep, smiles, laughter, baby coos and plump round faces to greet you each morning.

and there you are standing on top of this bridge with your baby in your arms.  and oh she looks so big in your arms but then you hand her to your husband and miraculously she is somehow still a tiny newborn as well.  and you cherish her at this size.  and you just stand there, the three of you, and take it all in as long as you can.  no doubt these next six weeks will be altogether too fast.  but for right now, this moment is just perfect.  this moment of relief and joy, of anticipation and of the realization that this parenting thing is just going to keep on getting better and better.

6 weeks is just so, so good!

on this cold and rainy thursday let's . . . .

 

^^drink a glass of strawberry tea^^

 

^^work on writing (embarassingly) long overdue thank you cards^^

 

^^wear a polka dot scarf - because, you know, its cheery^^

 

^^enjoy some casual reading^^

 

^^oogle over my baby and how cute she is in that hat even though it is probably still too big for her tiny head 

(oh, and lets go ahead and kiss those rosy cheeks while we're at it)^^

loving

listening to a Kirk Franklin gospel album Sunday morning before church, and jesse's (off-key though enthusiastic) accompaniment

afternoons outside on our lawn with my little buddy

friends that bring over dinner

^plants that defy my black thumb^

facetime with family

jesse's bedtime tradition of reading psalms to our little one

the sound of birds chirping in the AM

^a plateful of these cookies.  a perfect summer treat! (ps go ahead and double the recipe - trust me!)^

the anticipation i feel for our first night out (sans baby) - thank you aunt kathy!

my sister-in-law's new blog

hanging out with old friends again and (kind of) pretending like nothing has changed

hearing jesse giggle like a little boy as he tries out the slack line that he put up in our backyard

^iced tea, sun tea, sweet tea - doesn't matter in my book, it's all good^

purging my closet

the state of my room right now - that will last, hmmmm, 5 minutes?

moms who sneakily figure out your wishes via pinterest

learning

i'll admit that as much as i would like to pretend that i am supermom and have it all figured out, we are definitely still learning over here.

learning that just when you think that you have finally established a routine, the next day will most likely look like anything but that routine.  learning that when your baby is screaming at the top of their lungs and you have done everything, ev-re-thing you can think of to help her and you just can't, that you are not a failure.  learning that another person's company or sing-a-longs might be just that thing that you didn't think of that she needed and being ok with that.  learning that the outdoors really is the best mood fixer for her and i (no matter how difficult it is to get outside).  learning that i really should buy more burp cloths or at least that i shouldn't have thrown away all of those useless free college t-shirts that would have welcomed the spit-ups.  learning that my body is INCREDIBLE but not invincible and that if i don't take care of it no one else will.  learning that the phrase "that's ok, i'll get to it tomorrow" just really doesn't hold true anymore.  learning that my daily capabilities aren't what they used to be, and learning to be ok with that.  learning that spending an hour looking at my daughter when i haven't finished even half of the things on my to-do list is still important.  learning that in that short hour i might very well witness her growing.  learning that my husband is my greatest ally, support, and encourager (well technically i already knew this but i've been relearning it in wonderful new ways).

the thought that this is only the beginning of everything that i have to learn is daunting but good grief is this time rewarding.  there are nights that i go to bed so defeated, so discouraged by how little i have actually accomplished but then i look at my daughter and the mere fact that she is alive and healthy puts things back into perspective.  and you know what, i think we're doing all right, we three.

summer salad

summer is (unofficially) upon us, horray!  let's break out the white jeans, fire up the grill and enjoy all things bright, colorful, and delicious.

here is one of my favorite go-to salads for summer:

watermelon salad
- leafy greens (i used a "spring mix" that I already had on hand in my fridge)
- watermelon (cubed or balled)
- crumbled feta cheese
- sliced red onions
- candied almond slivers*
- balsamic vinaigrette dressing**

*candied almond slivers
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar

combine almonds and sugar in a saucepan over medium high heat.  stir mixture as it is heating up to prevent burning.  sugar will begin to melt and coat almonds.  reduce heat to medium.  continue stirring almonds until they have started to brown. immediately remove from heat.  almonds will continue to brown slightly.  spread out onto parchment paper or aluminum foil to cool.  break up chunks before sprinkling on salad.

**balsamic vinaigrette
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 clove of garlic (minced)

combine all ingredients in a container with a lid.  shake vigorously before using.

a little bit crunchy, a little bit sweet, a little bit cold and refreshing.  ahhhhh, the perfect light lunch.

happy salad making friends!

and now for a post that has nothing to do with babies but instead pertains to my sweet tooth

you all are in for a treat today.  not only am i going to stop talking about my baby for one whole day, but i am also going to share with you one of my all time favorite cookie recipes.  this is the recipe that always garners plenty of compliments and is somewhat of a sneaky cookie - oats, coconut? really? i don't taste either one of those in there.  yep, its sneaky.  so without further ado i give you:

oatmeal coconut cookies

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups original oats
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup coconut flakes

combine butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  add in eggs and oats until combined.  in a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  add dry ingredients into mixer.  lastly, pour in coconut flakes.  (i think that this recipe would also be pretty tasty with a spice or two mixed in.  maybe 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon?  i've never tried it though so let me know how it goes if you take the risk)

bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes (or until lightly browned on bottom and top)

oh, get ready!  you are in for a treat!

regular mother/baby post will resume tomorrow, because that's about all that is going on in my life right now.

one month

sweet chubby cheeks, an adorable button nose, long legs just starting to develop their baby fat rolls  and all of my love!  

how have the four weeks gone by so fast?