Mother's Day 2016

I'm so very glad that I live within 20 minutes of both my Mom and my Mother in law and get to share Mother's day with both of them. They are both gems. We spread out the love all weekend long starting with a cook out with my family Friday.

The weather was perfect so we all sat outside and watched Aiden run around like a wild child. 

Everyone just loves when I pull out my camera while they are stuffing their faces. Ha.

Aiden and his YaYa.

Saturday Drew and Aiden took me to Krohn's Conservatory for the Butterfly show! In all my years here, I have never been to the Butterfly show. Aiden and I both loved it! 

"Butterfly, where arrrrreeee you?"

After the butterfly show we walked to Eden park to play and then it was off to Echo for brunch. Their Flying pig sandwich (French toast is the bread) is to die for.  MMMmmmm.

Sunday morning both my Mamas came to church with us. I kept Aiden in my lap (because it's Mother's day, duh.) And Dara Maclean was a surprise special guest! Her song Blameless is just beautiful...go give it a listen.

Then it was off to my sister in law's where she and my brother in law did almost all the cooking. She even designed this adorable chalkboard art for the occasion and brought it outside so we could take pictures with it. She knows me well. 

Shirt from Ezra + Eli

Add in a dozen roses from each of my boys and I'd say this Mama was completely spoiled!

Thankful Mama doesn't even begin to describe it.

My First Mother's Day

My Mother's Day weekend far exceeded my expectations. I wasn't expecting to be flooded with such crazy, intense emotions, but I was a total sap and got teary multiple times just thinking about what a privilege it is to be Aiden's Mom.

We celebrated my sweet mama the previous weekend with Mexican and pie followed by some back porch sitting. It was nice to space out the celebration and get to spend some quality time with all the special Moms in our life.

We celebrated actual Mother's day weekend starting Saturday morning when my sweet husband made me breakfast and had the table set with flowers. He even attempted to make a heart out of the chocolate chips in my pancake. Adorable.

After that Drew helped me create a gallery wall in Aiden's room. This has been something I have wanted done forever so it was nice to cross that off the list. I'll share pictures soon along with a few other nursery updates!

After our project was complete we took a family hike at a park near our house and brought home Chipotle (my favorite) for lunch.

I had to work Saturday evening and Sunday morning, but we ended the weekend by grilling out at my Mother in law's house. We sat on the back deck and when we were finished eating Aiden got to go "swimming" outside for the first time. He loved it!

It was such a special weekend and was a memorable first mother's day for me!

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's day!

What I didn't know before becoming a Mom

Being Aiden's Mom has been so much more than I could have possibly imagined. Things have been unlocked inside of my heart and mind that I didn't know were there. I've learned so much about myself and truly believe I have changed for the better. It's no longer about me and I'm totally okay with that. I honestly couldn't have said that a year ago.

Before I was a Mom I didn't know what the heck to pack in a diaper bag besides the obvious, diapers. Now I know why it is always better to overpack plus my arms are way more toned now, which is nice.

I didn't know who in their right mind would want to suck their child's boogers with this mysterious thing called a Nose Frida.

I didn't like the idea of not being able to eat my food when it was piping hot and I was starving. This is still a struggle, but a content baby quickly wins out over my growling stomach.

I didn't understand the whole Mom alone at Target thing or the amazing thing about Starbucks or wine. I mean I love Starbucks and I love wine, but they aren't that instagram worthy...until you are alone with either one and then they are.

I didn't fully know or understand the importance of clothing with "easy access" when breast feeding. I also didn't know how awesome nursing bras or tank tops truly were.

I thought my friends who left places early to get home to feed their babies were exaggerating when they said their boobs hurt...really your boobs hurt? Hm okay. I totally know now that you were not kidding. Sorry Mom friends.

I didn't know how to buckle a small child into a carseat, then snap said carseat into a base let alone unsnap it or fold up a stroller to fit in the trunk of our Kia.

I didn't know how much free time I actually had until it was non-existent. I miss Netflix binging. 

I knew that I'd love my baby and probably enjoy our time together, but I had no idea how much.

I had no idea the joy and pride I would take in watching my son meet milestones. My voice gets all crazy high and I do this weird squeal thing when Aiden does something crazy like roll over or grip his toy without dropping it after 10 seconds. 

I didn't know anything about diaper creams, nipple creams, wipes, brands of diapers, etc. 

I didn't know that a baby bum could be so adorable.

I didn't know I would be that Mom. The Mom that sends pictures to everyone constantly and shows pictures of her son to anyone within ten feet. My poor volunteers at work. Really, Allison...didn't we just see a picture of Aiden in a bow tie last weekend? 

I had no idea how much time and energy went into breastfeeding and pumping and breastfeeding and pumping. On repeat all day everyday.

I never counted or kept track of anything by the number of weeks and didn't understand why anyone would. My baby is 27 weeks tomorrow by the way.

I am no expert on this whole motherhood thing and while there are so many things I have learned over the last 6 months, one of the biggest things I've taken away from this adventure is that there's always so much more to learn! Being a Mom is an always changing, never ending, absolutely crazy, totally amazing journey.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mamas out there!

If this day is a tough day for you because you are missing your Mom or wanting so badly to become one yourself I pray that you can find comfort and trust that God has a plan and loves you so much.