This morning started like most Thursday mornings, we got up and got ready to go to the gym, but today was an extra fussy day. Nothing could make her happy and I was kind of bummed, I wanted a happy go luck baby to take to the aquarium before work but I didn't see that being the case, so we nursed a few extra times, had some steel cut oatmeal and headed to the gym. She was in a much better mood once we arrived, running around to play with everyone and trying to pick up all the weights, I was then amped again for our date with Chip & Eva. We went home to shower and get ready and once again Claire was not pleased, even cheerios were not fixing the problem, so we just sat and nursed and were on our way. Once we parked we nursed again and then she took my hand and we walked around outside the aquarium until our friends arrived, this is when I realized I was being selfish. I wanted to go to the gym and I wanted to go to the aquarium and I just did not want to deal with Claire and her emotions today and that wasn't fair. Once I changed my mindset we were in a much better groove and I wanted to just watch her experience what was going on even if that meant having a hard time, instead of rushing her through it I wanted to sit patiently with her. I can't say that I practice all the aspects of "gentle parenting" but I really want to incorporate it more.
The aquarium was awesome! I am so glad that we got to spend a few hours there, we watched Anderson the penguin take a walk and even petted a few sting rays. I am happy that we both turned our moods around and had a really nice time. Thank you to Eva&Chip for inviting us!
In exactly a month, we will be pool side with family and friends (please rsvp if you are reading this lol) celebrating the best year we have had so far and as excited as I am for it, I want to slow down each second with Claire and speed up all the other seconds. I want to soak her in, all the baby that is left in her because very soon she is going to get big and not want to cuddle with me as much and not steal everyone's grapes and I am just not ready yet.
Thank you all for playing us for the last 11 months, I bet its gonna get so much more fun
xo
Nikol
I wanted to write you a little note and tell you how proud I am to be your mother and how proud I am of you. You might have caught me staring at you a lot lately, I look at you and think how at one time you were small enough to fit inside my belly and I was admiring how you have such a strong personality but how you are also so very kind and soft. I am looking forward to watching you continue to be the incredible person that you already are. I have so many hopes and dreams for you, but I can't wait to hear what your hopes and dreams are for yourself.
Lets play a little bit more this weekend and drive around a lot less.
I love you so, I hope you have a beautiful day filled with grapes, breast milk and your plastic knife set.
xo
ma ma momma