Motherhood Mission Statement

Arms open and heart ready to receive I stand before you as your Mother, in pure authenticity, today, tomorrow and forever.

I model behaviors that influence you to blossom and grow into a graceful being, filled with spirit, joy and perspective.

When paths create hardship, turmoil and separation, I remain present and respond to your call. When paths are radiant, wondrous and alive, I am there to celebrate with you.

I remain humble throughout our blossoming friendship so that I may learn from your wisdom both spoken and observed.

I have strengths that you may wish to disguise or magnify, thus, I posses sensitivity to understand and a desire to be understood.

As your Mother I respect your individuality, nurture your freedom and encourage a passionate heart that will ignite your senses.

I provide opportunities to fuel your mind and challenge your knowledge; I remain loyal to our roots and cherish this new foundation of family that we build upon with each day.

As your Mother, I eagerly anticipate our discoveries with one another.

As your Mother, I love you.

I wrote this for Kaitlyn on October 12, 2008--it was as a final assignment for Moms Embracing the Moment support group of which I have been a participant since mid-September.

Backyard Photoshoot-For the Record

Since I love showing Kaitlyn off, I couldn't keep these winners to myself. While they are a few weeks outdated, they will still bring a smile to your face. Please note, she is wearing baby pink scrubs! Is this a medical professional in the works?

Reason for more photos...

It's the outfit-honestly! I've been patiently awaiting this day. Kaitlyn received this darling Bohemian Chic one piece jump suit from a gal I used to work with. Now that she has an accelerated G-R-O-W-T-H pattern and fits into a six month wardrobe, I anticipate a two to three week window of opportunity for her to style around in this. She'll see it again, just have to wash it...it was subjected to one of her fabulous explosive diapers this afternoon (I think the biggest one yet)! Is it the outfit that is making her so expressive or the crazy duck quacking on her exersaucer? Okay, I'll take the credit--she's just happy to be staring back at Mommy!

Chillin' with Cosimo...post exersaucer session!

Little Thoughts-Big Meaning

Friday afternoon my weekend started with unwelcomed emotion simply because I haven't been getting the sleep that I really do need. Tears were on the edge of each eye lid; exhaustion, it gets the best of me sometimes. Then the phone rang, just after 7pm. It was Steve, calling to let me know how everyone at work loved the latest blog post showing Kaitlyn sucking her big toe. My heart melted, the tears finally were shed and a smile came over me. This is what it's all about. The little moments aren't so little when your day is graced--and consumed--with such a miracle. Kaitlyn does tire me out and I do need a break from her constant joy at times, but then something as ordinary as a phone call can make the mountains rise and the sunset shine. It puts the exhaustion into perspective.

The night continued with Grandma and Grandpa coming over. I was so grateful for their company, it allowed me to cook with confidence and do circles around the house knowing Kaitlyn was close by but under their care. Yet, in the midst of my unraveling, another little moment became extraordinary. My dad was holding onto Kaitlyn just chatting away about her hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa...then I realized Kaitlyn will only have one Grandpa to cherish and know. There are no Great Grandpa's living and Steve's side she is gifted with only her Nana. Tremendous. May we always welcome Grandpa visits...(of course any Grandparent or Nana visit would be greeted with open arms, I just want to pause and bottle up her Grandpa--he's the only one she'll know for her lifetime).

The photo above was taken this afternoon on this gorgeous autumn day!

Tater Tot Toes

They must taste like tater tots or mac n' cheese...possibly they are more savory like a french crepe...yum. Even if the menu changed everyday this little girl finds them amusing and delicious.

Toes were not the only discovery of the week, Kaitlyn found a new strength. She began rolling over from back to belly. Once on her belly she would hold her head high like a yoga queen doing a sun salutation. It's caught here on video--my entertainment while watching Tuesday's Presidential Debate (you'll hear it in the background, Senator Obama answering the last question of the night)!

Her rolling over happened over night, literally. Saturday and all the days before if she rolled over it was purely accidental. Sunday morning things were different. As if she had been studying how to do her new move--without missing a beat the rolling began and has not stopped!

Uncle B Face Time

Dinner and shopping, what more does a girl want?

Old MacDonald Had a Farm...

And on his farm he had:
an Emu..
a bunch of Pygmie Goats...
a Donkey...
Casper the white Alpaca...
a gigantic pig and two piglets...
chicks and roosters...
tractors and trucks...
bees and ducks..
Daisy the Cow...
and a handful of horses...

Thursday Kaitlyn and I headed to a Ventura County farm with her Uncle Stan and Cousin Natalia to get a dosage of the season's spirit. Pumpkins of all varieties were everywhere and a fabulous open air market greeted us as we walked through the entrance of the farm. Strawberries perfumed the air which was a short lived scent as it quickly changed when we headed to the goats; further ripening with other strong farm smells as we made our way around the grounds!

When was the last time you ever went to a farm just to hang out with the animals, feed them carrots and watch them watch you? I think I had more fun than Kaitlyn, although there is no question she was overwhelmed by all that she saw. After our outing was all said and done the two gals were tanked, frozen in a deep slumber.

Surely Kaitlyn had dreams about conquering the corn maize, running wild with the horses and probably feasting on some heavenly slice of pumpkin pie!