Little Moments

Well.... I survived being a working mother for 2 weeks and 2 days, and that was long enough for me! Everybody tells you how exhausted you will be when the baby arrives, and its true. Your tired beyond belief, but nothing compares to taking care of your infant and going in to work and taking care of everyone else. The day is endless and as the old saying goes, there truly isn't enough hours in the day. I have never felt exhaustion like that before. I could fall asleep at the drop of a dime, in a meeting (which I did), out to dinner (which I did), sitting on the couch feeding my son (which I did). The exhaustion was awful, but worse then that, I missed all of Tripp's little moments throughout the day. I wasn't able to steal a smile while changing his diaper, I couldn't make him laugh with my kisses or watch his eyes take in something new for the first time. I even missed him being fussy.

As a teacher, I make a meager salary, but the best perk is having the summer home with my little man. I wouldn't trade this precious time for any amount of money in the world. And I am going to enjoy my time, my son and all of his little moments for the next two months. I'm trying to capture his life to share with all of you, so here are some of my favorite moments with my little man!

Exploring Leu Gardens with my little man and my Mom

Watching his endless supply of expression and trying to figure
 out what his little mind is thinking 

He might look like his Daddy but there is Mommy in there,
he sucks the same two fingers I sucked as a child

The beautiful moments shared over a diaper change 

Taking in the world around him

And the best moments of all........

A VERY BIG special thank you to my wonderful, amazing, loving mother who came down to Florida to take care of Tripp while I went back to work. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to say goodbye to my first class and share in their "little moments" at the end of the school year and the end of their elementary career. We love you Grandmom! 

Life Lessons

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad and my amazing husband. I am so blessed to have such great men in my life, and so is Tripp. Every time I watch Gary with Tripp, my heart swells. I can't find the right words to explain what I feel when I see Tripp intently watching Gary's every move and smiling at his Daddy. Or when Gary comes in from a business trip and his face lights up at the sight of his son. I am so excited to watch you grow as a father and see your relationship with our son unfold. I know you will be an exceptional Dad, because you are already an exceptional man. Thank you for teaching us, making us laugh, feel safe and protected, and for loving us.Today I was able to capture a father son moment. One of many. 

Gary and Tripp watching the US Open. His first golf lesson. 

I also wanted to take a moment to thank the wonderful man who shaped my life. Dad, you have always been my safe haven. Mom and I relived the past laughing and sharing stories of a young girl exploring the world in front of her, headstrong and ready to take it on, but always aware of the strong man at her back. You always knew what was best for me, even when I didn't. I truly believed I was old enough and mature enough to do everything on my own, but you knew better. When we entered the big apple for my first viewing of a broadway play, my eyes were wide and my heart pounding. A preteen girl realized very quickly how grateful she was to have her Daddy by her side. I felt safe in the concrete jungle because your large hands held tight (and I was NOT letting go). In the Bahamas I tested my boundaries and went running into the arms of my father. No matter how old I am, I know you always have my back. I love you Dad. Thank you for always being there. 

Life Lessons

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.


By Joanna Fuchs

Handsome Men

Grandaddy came to visit! And he got his first smile from Tripp. It was wonderful watching my Dad play with my son. It is a glipse at what life might have been like when I was an infant. As I think back to my childhood, it is filled with love, laughter, and life lessons. But watching my Dad play with my baby boy showed me the softer side of my big strong military father. Hearing him laugh out loud because he is watching his grandson smile and laugh at his mother (daughter) and watching him get so excited at that special bonding moment between Grandaddy and grandson was heart filling. 

Laughing with Grandaddy 

Intently watching my Grandaddy 

Handsome little man 

Productivity Schmoductivity

How on earth am I supposed to be productive during the day? If anyone can tell me, that would be great. Because so far, I'm finding it impossible. I have an amazing little boy who captures all of my attention and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

One minute we are playing 

The next, he is sound asleep in my arms

Look at this precious face 

So I say, productivity schmoductivity. I'm spending the day just like this 

Big Shoes

Today was wonderful. How could it not be when the recipe called for quality time with my boys. My husband is wonderful and made sure I had a very special first Mother's Day, and that I did. Throughout the day, I would look at the beautiful baby in my arms and feel so amazingly blessed. He is healthy. He is beautiful. He is happy. He is mine, and I love every inch of him, inside and out. His personality is starting to shine, and what a sunny disposition he has.

There is a lot of pressure placed upon me to be a great Mom, what BIG shoes I have to fill. I have been greatly influenced by a woman who inspires me on a constant basis. She is strong, compassionate, loving, and patient. She is my Mom, and I love her with all of my heart. She has been my biggest supporter and continues to encourage me daily. I love you Mom, thank you for being my rock, my bestfriend and forgiving my teenage years. Thank you for shaping me into the woman I am today, and the Mother I wish to become. Your feet were once steps which I stood upon and learned to dance around the kitchen. Your high-heels were a source of entertainment which would take me to a land of make believe. And now, Those "BIG" size 5 shoes are yet again stepping stones for my life, my journey as a mother. I hope to be able to fill them one day, and be half the mother you were to me. I have high hopes, after all, I learned from the best. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Sunshine

My absolute favorite time of the day is the morning. My little man wakes up so happy and we have 2 solid hours of blissful bonding time together. This morning, he was stirring and cooing so I rolled over with my face even to his and he returned with a huge smile. Nothing is more gratifying then having your child smile at the sight of your face. His smile makes my heart swell. Pure bliss. 

All is Right in the World

Sigh. Our baby boy is ok, healthy, and perfect. That is the best thing we've heard since hearing his heartbeat for the first time. We had quite the scare this week. I noticed a ridge and bump on his front right forehead and had our pediatrician look at it to be safe. She felt concerned and wanted to x-ray his skull to make sure everything looked normal. The news that came next was devastating, they thought that his sutures (plates in his skull) were prematurely closing (shouldn't close until 4-6 years of age, he was 7 weeks), she wanted us to see a neuro surgeon. The earliest appointment was a week away. That is torture to worried parents. Over the course of the past week we grieved, got angry, and cried a lot. Then we began accepting the prognosis and preparing ourselves for the likely course of action, surgery on our little mans skull. As much as I tried, there is no preparing for that. Every time I looked at that beautiful baby my heart broke a little more. Thank God, it was a misdiagnosis. His sutures are wide open!! There is some overlap on his right side but that should correct itself as he grows. WHEW! He is a beautiful, healthy, perfect little boy. Poor little guy can't get away from our kisses, the supply is endless!

Happy Easter!

Our first holiday as a family, it was perfect! Thanks to my wonderful and talented Mom, Tripp had a beautiful Easter outfit to wear to church. In my opinion, he was the most handsome man there (tied with his Daddy of course)! After a few obsticles we made it to the 11:15 church service, barely.  Lets just say peanut butter and Gary's elbow was involved.... as we were getting in the car to leave. We regrouped and got to the service before it started and waited in line to grab a seat only to find that there were none left. Amazingly enough and thanks to some kind women in the choir we enjoyed our first Easter service at St. Lukes in the choir loft! The baby was tired and due for a nap but was so interested and awed by the beautiful music surrounding us that he stayed awake for the entire service and was an angel! After the beautiful service and a lovely brunch at First Watch we came home to take some family photo's. Bless the inventor of the camera timer! 

Obert Family Photo-Easter 2011

Tripp's First Easter Basket

His adorable outfit made by Grandmom Martin

SMILE!

My little man smiled at me today! It was very clear that it wasn't a gas smile, however, he was smiling at his gas/my reaction to his gas. He was making his "o" face and I was mimicking him as he starred intently at my face. Then he let out a loud gaseous noise to which I widened my "O", raised my eyebrows, and opened my eyes as large as they could go and I made a high pitched noise. My adorable precious son starred right at my face and gave me a huge grin. His mommy made him laugh. It was the best feeling in the world. His smile made the 3 a.m. changing the best part of my day. I wish I had my camera armed and ready to catch this act, instead I was elbow deep in dirty diaper. Who needs a camera? This moment will forever be etched into my memory. Since I wasn't able to capture this "first" with my camera to share with you all, I will some another firsts. 

First time holding my son

First Bath

My Heart

March 9, 2011 my heart grew larger then I ever thought possible. Everything "they" say is true, "you are in love instantly" "You never thought you could love like this" "The pain disappears the minute you see your child for the first time".  I was in labor for 18 hours and pushing for 3, yet the minute I saw my son, I was ready to do it all over again. So much has happened in the last 6 weeks, here is the short version. My beautiful baby was born weighing 8 lbs 2 oz 20.5 inches long, we hugged, kissed, smelled him and watched him. We got little sleep. Changed 8-10 poop and pee diapers a day... repeat, repeat, repeat. We are starting to get the hang of the parenting concept. Tripp is beautiful and has been a great baby. He actually sleeps really well so far, fingers crossed it continues. My favorite part of the day is our cuddle time, nothing is more perfect then sweet baby breath rhythmically hitting your chest. Up till now I was very unproductive during the day, setting everything else aside to hold him in my arms and watch/feel him sleep. Thankfully, a wise mother introduced me to the moby wrap. LIFESAVER! I can be as productive as I want and still have my sweet baby right there against my chest, listening to my heartbeat, breathing on me- perfection. For those of you who may not have seen him yet, here are a few pictures. I will be more diligent about updating our days filled with firsts and new beginnings.

The dogs have been fantastic with him. Maddie has been protective since we came home from the hospital, it was a few weeks before she allowed any other dog to go near her baby. Radley on the other hand was a bit nervous about the change. She still jumps to with every coo he makes. She is always worried about her baby and checking to make sure he is ok.

That is all I have for today, I'm off to watch my baby sleep. Sweet dreams.