fangs.

maxi finally got some top teeth.  he did not get the top two middle teeth, he got the top side teeth.  fangs.  one of the cutest things i have ever seen is a baby with fangs.

Dream a little dream of me.

Most days of my life these days are spent with a little person that I made. We eat breakfast together. We take baths together. We dance together. This morning, Maxi was getting cranky before his nap, I put on some cute little songs, and we danced. His little head laid on my shoulder and his body melted into mine. He is the only person who enjoys my singing and we danced for a long time. I smelled his little head and nuzzled his little neck. During one of the songs he looked up at me and gave me a big open mouth kiss. It is moments like these that make me know all the hard parts of being a mother are worth it. That he recognizes my efforts and understands that I love him. That this little person in my arms just might be in love with me too.

weekend update.

-i turned 31 on friday. it is weird to say that number out loud because i can't believe it. getting old is weird but i am comfortable in my age. i have accomplished a good chunk and am still plugging away at my future goals.
-breakfast sandwiches and mimosas.
-mini burgers, purple and gold, lakers basketball.
-when going to sporting events it is imperative that you shout and get into the game. by the end of the night, my voice was hoarse from shouting "defense" "MVP" "lakers"
-totally got on the kiss cam. it was really awkward and slightly embarrassing because frank and i did not discuss the game plan and we ended up awkwardly opening our mouths, bumping teeth, and shoving noses into mouths.
-BBQ on the top of the world hoping that monkey butt decides to make his appearance. i have to have some words with him since he skipped out on my birthday.
-patio is cleaned and now starts our morning ritual of swinging and drinking coffee.
-pool party during the eclipse.
-dominican republic has been 86'd and it looks as though we are going to rent a beach house on a peninsula.
-nap snuggles were of utmost importance this weekend.
-♥ baby giggles.
-♥ birthday wishes.
-♥ hummus and carrots.

nine months.

it happened.  my little baby turned nine months.  that means he has been in my arms roughly the same amount of time he was in my belly.  he is now less than three months away from being a one year old.  his baby time is winding down.  the thought of this makes me breathe harder and gives me anxiety.  now, i spend my time trying to absorb all of the fleeting moments that are maxi being a baby.  as sad as i am, i am also amazed and excited watching him learn the world and grow.  it is so fun to wonder what kind of kid he is going to grow up to be.  i love to watch him play and explore.  after this month of massive growth, my baby is now:
-still army crawling and regular crawling occasionally.  it will only be a few days before the army crawling is passe.
-pulling to stand and mildly creeping.  he love to pull up to stand on the dresser drawers and then proceed to pull out all his cloths.  i see an early walker in my future.
-babbling a lot.  he definitely says "mama" but not really to me, ok, maybe sometimes but only when he is upset.  it is the first time i have been legitimately called mama.  that thought makes me smile.
-loves the bath.  he can take a bath for hours if you let him.
-plays.  it makes me smile to watch him play.  he puts stuff in a box, pulls it out, and so forth.
-has moderate separation anxiety.  i don't like to see my baby cry but it puts a smile on my face to have him cry for me because he misses me.  if you can adequately distract him, he forgets to cry.
-snuggles so hard at night.  he has to be pressed up against me in order to sleep.  i love feeling his warm little body next to me at night.
-still mainly breastfed.  i love it.  even though our nursing sessions are 50% nursing and 50% gymnastics.
-still tries to eat everything especially carpet fuzz.
-softly massages and gropes my double chin during nursing.  i love that more than anything.
-has an attraction to electrical outlets.
-makes the weirdest sounds and clicks with his mouth.  who knew his first language would be swahili.
in all, i have never known a love like this and everyday my love grows.  it is weird to think about all the ways having a baby has changed me.  i am more patient.  i slowed my life down.  i am more in the moment.  i am softer.  i am kinder.  i am less judgmental.  i am a new person and i love who she is.

Happy Mother's Day.

♥

nurse's week.

ten years ago, when i decided to switch from a fine arts major to a nursing major, i had no idea what it would do to me.  it changed me in so many ways and helped me to appreciate so much more.  it made my stupid, shallow issues dissolve.  before having my son, it was the best thing i had ever done.  as hard as it is to leave my baby to head off to work, it is also still precious and i would not want to leave my baby for any other reason.  when i was pregnant, i would hold babies at my work and think about how maxi is always going to have to share a small part of me.  nursing is an amazing profession and i am thankful everyday that i am a part of it.

this post is dedicated to all the hand holding, late night snuggling, medication administering, assessment giving, doctor yelling, life saving, listening, patient and kind nurses (especially pediatric and neonatal nurses).  our field of pediatric nursing is among the best and hardest.   happy nurse's week!
you really should watch this video.  it shows the spirit of children and their nurses.  it might make you cry.
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May the 4th be with you.

Happy Star Wars day!