Countdown to Freedom

Thursday marks a very exciting milestone in my recent life - I am FREE!! Brady will be 6 weeks old and, by pediatricians standards, free to roam this world without the risk of death. They really do make you feel like that - I am not kidding!!! I am not trying to sound ungrateful. I have a beautiful child and this time with him at home has been really wonderful. But intermixed in this time have been moments where I felt a little, let's be honest, a LOT stir crazy!! Also, Thursday is when my brothers, sister in law, niece and nephews get here for Brady's upcoming blessing this Sunday. I always love seeing my family but am VERY excited to introduce them to Brady. I am very fortunate to be able to have them come and am so grateful for the sacrifices they are making to share in this really special day. Anyway, here are some new pics of Brady. He is 2 days shy of 6 weeks old now. He weighs about 7 pounds and is 20 inches long. He's growing, slowly, but surely! Thanks for letting me indulge for a moment!!

Helpful Food Storage Information

My mom has decided to use her blog to post a weekly food storage item. At the end of the 52 weeks, a family will have a full year's supply of food that can be easily rotated into their diet. So, if you're interested, go to www.laurielclewis.blogspot.com. She's the best I tell ya!!!

I'm back!

We FINALLY got our computer fixed so now I am back to the world wide web. Let me start by saying how cut off I have felt - how did we ever survive without the internet at our fingertips!?!?! But now that I am back to blogging, don't worry, I am not going to only talk about Brady and being a mom - that will only make up for 90% of my writing:-) I remember when I first found out I was pregnant, I was sitting with my then visiting teachers, Heather and Lori, and I was saying that when my baby was born, I didn't want to me one of those moms that only talks about their kid. I wanted to still be me - be able to talk about the things that I loved before the baby came. Well, it turns out that I was so naive. Being a mom is what I am and what I have always wanted in my heart. Secretly, and not so secretly at times, all I wanted was to be one of those moms that had a baby to talk about. But four weeks into being a mom, I finally understand why mom's are the way they are. We are still who we were - I am still Amanda, quirky, funny, awkward at times, curious - but since having Brady, I am just a better version of myself. That's why we talk about them so much because we realize that when we are holding this child, a child that we share with our Heavenly Father, we are a part of something very sacred and wonderful. I can't help but talk all about him because every time I speak his name I am reminded of how blessed I am and how lucky I am that I get to be his mom. Having a winter baby gives you WEEKS of seclusion with your infant to reflect on these things and when I think about our journey to get Brady, I can't help but feel so grateful and get teary each and every time. He's a gift to me, to Nick, to our marriage and hopefully he will be a gift to this world. Sorry I am so sappy - I blame the hormones! My friend asked me today what I have learned in these last four weeks of being Brady's mom and my answer was - what haven't I learned? Good grief - I was naive. I thought being a mom would come about as natural to me as breathing being I was older, have been around LOTS of kids, etc. Boy was I wrong. I have learned patience, what a gift sleep is, what a WONDERFUL invention the binky is and that someone needs to invent something for boy babies to protect them from their own urine during diaper changes. Poor Brady has taken one too many hits to the face!!! But seriously, I have learned so much from him already. I have learned how much he needs good parents - I had the best parents and I want that for Brady. I have learned that their isn't any hurt or sadness that holding a newborn baby can't heal. Being his mom is the best - there's nothing left to say! Here are some pics from his photo shoot with Natalie, who is a very talented lady! Thank you - these pics are priceless!!!