Spring!

Things are settling into a new normal around here....and I have to say I'm starting to feel a little more like "myself" these days.  'Cause becoming a momma is an eye-opening, life-changing, turn-your-world upsidedown kind of thing.  The last 6 weeks have been a whirlwind.  I've felt every emotion you can imagine - frustration, joy, exhaustion, wonder, anxiousness, awe - all intertwined with a new kind of all-consuming love. 

Natalie is settling into a routine, and I am learning how to co-exist with this tiny little being.  Between feeding her, changing diapers, and lots of snuggling....I'm learning how to sneak in the things that I used to love doing with my free time.  Such as decorating!  I love decorating my house for different holidays and seasons, and surrounding myself with beautiful reminders of the time of year.  So, last week, I found some snippets of time to give my shelves a spring make-over. 

 

Including things like.....

...birdies...

...spring flowers....

...easter eggs...

...and some new framed art...

(maternity photo courtesty of Kendall Herman)

And...I'm completely in love with this little spring baby...

She's in her new swing...borrowed from her cousin RJ....who was NOT happy when he saw her get in it.  He threw his cowboy hat and himself on the floor!  It is so hard to share when you are 2 1/2! 

Happy Spring!  We sure are happy around here! :)

First Bath!

Natalie's cord stump finally fell off (it only took 5 weeks!) so we were able to give the sweet girl her first bath over the weekend.

 Look at that belly!  And cute bellybutton. :)

For the most part, she just relaxed and enjoyed the warm water!  I like how she's layin' back with her feet hanging into the water.  She didn't scream until I took her out of the tub.....I think she was cold and wanting to get back in!

Our Song

When Mark and I got married, we danced our first dance as husband and wife to Love of My Life by Sammy Kershaw.  Since then, it's been our special song. Whenever it finds its way to the top of the playlist on my iPod, my sweet husband drops everything and asks me to dance "our dance". 

The day after Natalie was born, Mark went home for awhile to get some more things since we would be staying longer in the hospital than expected.  I was alone in the room with our beautiful daughter when Love of My Life started to play on my iPod.  As I looked at her and listened to the words, the song took on a whole new meaning.

You are the love of my life.

You are the reason I'm alive.

And baby, baby, baby,

When I think of how you saved me,

I go crazy.

I've never known love like this.

It fills me with a new tenderness.

And I know, I know, I know,

You're in my heart and in my soul. 
You're all I can't resist.

And I need to tell you, The first time I held you, I knew.....you are the love of my life.

Now I think of the song as our "family song", and feel so blessed to have my sweet husband and beautiful baby girl in my life.