Happy Mother's Day!

Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day!

Mom and Daddy loaded me up and we went
to see Grandma Joyce and the whole big family.
I had lots of fun, but was a little camera shy so no pics this time!

We went to the Watts Next later on to see Memaw and Grandad.

I just KNOW I'm gonna drive this boat one day!!!
Get ready, Ohio River! Here I come...

But for now,
I'll just hang out and relax!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there!

My First Race (Outside of Mom's Belly...)

>YAWN!!<
Mom and Daddy woke me up early on Saturday morning.

They told me about a race through the Louisville Zoo.
Maybe I'll get to see a real live lion!

Wait a second!! A race?!
Wow! Better start stretching....

One of my friends from UPS where Daddy works was there too.
I told Keiran I would keep her fingers for her while she ran the race.

Mom told me that next time, I'll be able to run with them.
Apparently, my current wheels aren't rated for such high speeds.
But Daddy said he was going to get me a new stroller that can handle these races!

While Mom, Daddy and Keiran were running,
I got to hang out with my Aunt Elece.
She sure is lots and lots of fun!

After they won the race, we got to see some of the animals
but I started to get a little sleepy and hungry so we left the zoo.
I know I'll be able to play with the lions next time.

What a good day that was!
Can't wait 'til I can be part of the action too!
Thanks to Keiran and Aunt E for coming to see me!!

To my mother on my first mother’s day

I’ve just finished feeding my son and my thoughts turn to you, as they so often do nowadays. I had been late giving him his bottle and he alternately screamed at and pleaded with me to do what he wanted. What I thought would be comforting words to him, weren’t. But a four month old doesn’t understand words, he understands actions. The louder and more insistently he screamed, the more flustered I got and the more I fumbled with the bottle and the longer it took. I would offer more words of comfort and he would reply with more screams and more pleading looks and, worst of all, more tears.

When I finally was able to give him his feast, he looked up at me with the most adoring eyes that said one thing. “I love you.” His eyes didn’t say, “What took you so long?” Or “You did it wrong.” Or “Don’t you have any clue what you’re doing?” Or “I bet other Moms are better than you at this.” They just said, “I love you.” And as you read this right now, you would see that in my eyes as well. But hopefully you’d see one more thing too. “I’m beginning to understand.”

I think of my brother three years my senior born in 1972, then I think of the first six weeks with my son born in 2006 and I know that the last peaceful, worry free night of sleep you ever got was probably sometime in 1971 – if ever.

You and my father were much younger than my husband and I when you started your family and I don’t know how you did it. You were ten years younger than I am now when you gave birth to my brother and seven years younger than I when you had me. At 25 years old, you had two babies in diapers and at 25 years old, I was selfishly partying like a rockstar, never looking back. At 32 now, there are still times I feel helplessly inadequate and I keep wondering when my son’s instruction book will show up in the mail. I wonder if at times in my childhood, you felt the same as I feel now.

I think of my son’s face again and I have to go check on him to make sure he’s alright. He had flipped over on to his tummy, which I know is not the best position for him to sleep in, so I turned him over. Of course, this woke him and we engaged in a short battle of wills at midnight. I worry so much that if sleeps on his belly, he won’t be able to breathe as he should but apparently, he is most comfortable this way. I wonder how many nights you stood at my crib and watched me sleep and listened to me breathe. And how many nights you rushed to my cribside because I was crying, and then the nights you rushed to my crib because I wasn’t.

Looking at my sweet baby, I know that I want the world for him. And I hope I have the strength to accept that what he wants may not be what I want. I know there will be times when he breaks my heart, as I’ve broken yours and I wonder how I will be able to stand it. I know there are so many more battles ahead for us and I hope my son and I can fight the battles without starting a war. So many times when I shut the door on you, you patiently waited outside until I opened it again. I hope I have your strength. I know you did everything you can to give it to me.

I look down at my once flat belly and see stretch marks and a seemingly everlasting mound of flesh there. I remember the long scar down your abdomen from the c-section you had with me – a memento of my birth as I didn’t cooperate from day one. I know you’ll never show me or speak to me of all the scars I’ve given you, but I know they’re there just the same.

So to you, my mother and the most wonderful woman I know, on my first Mother’s Day, I want to say I love you and I’m beginning to understand. I also want to say thank you. Thank you for your grace, your humor, your patience, your love and for helping me as I tackle the most rewarding and most daunting job in my life: motherhood.

Bath Time Fun

Is YOUR bath this much fun?

Daddy pulled me from the water just in time!
My toes were turning all wrinkly!...

Dining Al Fresco

I've already been to restaurants lots and lots.
In fact, I've been going to restaurants before I was even born,
but this was my first time to sit outside
AND to use their utensils.
This sure is a shiny toy!

Memaw tried to read to me...

But I just wanted to chill out in the warm spring air and RELAX!
This is the life...

My future's so bright...

I gotta wear shades.....

Captain Riley

It's been so nice outside, so Mom and Daddy
took me to see Memaw and Grandad on the Watts Next.
Here I am as my alter ego, Captain Riley!

I like eating - I mean reading my charts.....
Hmm... there's a bend in the river just south of here....
All hands on deck!!

It sure is fun to be Captain Riley....

My First Derby Wekend

First, on Thursday, Mom left me with Daddy and

we went to see Grandma D while Mom went out with all the girls.

Some very important people came in all the way from
Mississippi to help Mom celebrate her birthday weekend.
Here Mom is with Memaw, Aunt JuJu and Aunt Margaret.

And some other very important people
came to meet mom for dinner too!

The next day was Mom's birthday and
everybody got dressed up to go to
Churchill Downs for Oaks.

Here are Mom and Daddy having too
much fun without me!
Mom said that I went with her and Dad last year,
but I was in her belly so I really don't remember it.
But I did have lots and lots of fun
staying home with Grandad and Cousin James.

Mom called to check on me lots.
I'm telling her which horse to bet on....

And they're off!!

Go Baby Go!!!

Everyone finally got home and James and I
sure were glad to see them!

Thanks for the fun day of playing, Cousin James!

Aunt Margaret played with me for a while
before I went to bed too!
I love to play and play!
She even taught me a new song....

Here I am with Daddy trying to get settled down
to take a snooze for the night.

The next day was Derby Day and we all got
dressed up again and all the people with teeth
got to have a really good Derby Brunch downtown!

Here I am with a whole bunch of roses on race day.

Mom says that Daddy and I were the
best looking guys at the whole place!

Aunt Margaret is the best cook my mommy knows
and I agree! In fact, here I am chewing on one of her
famous knuckle sandwiches.

Cousin James got to eat all the good food too!
(He has teeth and is a much bigger boy than me.)

Thanks Memaw and Grandad for such a good weekend!
We love you!

Now time to crash back in the big bed and
get back to my regular routine!

Mom Tries to Rush My Childhood

Mom thought it would be a good idea to
feed me my rice cereal with a spoon
instead of just putting it in my bottle...

HUH?
Hello!? Let me enjoy my babyhood!

It was kind of fun helping with my fingers though...

All cleaned up and looking cute again!
No more spoons for a while!

Cousin James Comes for a Visit

I haven't seen Cousin James since I was four days old!
I guess he has to get used to me again,
but I don't know why he thinks I have cooties...

I wish Cousin James would share his crayons!

Here I am with my Aunt Katie!

I let Cousin James borrow Mom for a minute.

I can't wait to spend more time to get to know Cousin James!

Fur is Fun

Here kitty.....

Bailey is so soft!!!
I think she likes me too.