Mother Love

It is so super fun to be a family of three.

I literally can hardly remember what life was like when it was just Ben and I. It just seems like Ayla has been a part of our home and life always…she just fits so perfectly. There hasn’t been a single moment that I’ve wished for life as it was before she was born, and even though having a baby in our home does change our lives and plans and date nights and all…I wouldn’t trade it for all the free evenings and full nights of sleep and poopy diaper free days in the world.

I feel like I keep saying this everywhere I go…but Ayla is such a beautiful joy and blessing to us. So many times during the days, my heart almost stops when I look at her and realize that she is my daughter. She belongs to us. Sometimes I just sit and stare at her when she’s sleeping…hardly able to resist the urge to grab her up and squeeze her so hard and kiss her sweet face all over. There are challenging days when naps don’t last long and tummy troubles make her unsettled and cries seem unconsolable…but I still say that these are some of the best days of my life. Even at the end of a hard day, there is something so completely fulfilling and satisfying about being a mom. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Ayla June turned one month (!!!) on Sunday, and in typical-mom-cliche-fashion, I have to say how I can’t believe how fast time has gone! It literally feels like yesterday that we were basking in those special first few days with her. These days are special too, but there really is nothing quite like the first hours and days with a new baby with wrinkly skin and sleepy face and cozy snuggles all day long. She seems to be growing so fast and filling out and getting more and more of the baby chub. Her double chin is threatening to turn into a triple one, and the neck rolls and arms roll and leg rolls just keep rolling on! It’s just too cute and kissable. She smiles more every day and notices faces and objects. One of her funny quirks is her obsession with the bed frame in our room…it’s a black frame against a white wall and she will stare and stare and smile and feel so happy whenever she’s watching the bed frame. It’s like her version of cartoons or something, haha! Every morning it’s like she sees it for the first time…and it’s the cutest thing!

My sweet and uber-talanted friend, Lyndsi, came and did a little family photo session for us a few weeks ago…and I squealed a hundred times when we got the photos back from her. She does such an amazing job! Lyndsi had done a couples session last fall for us, which we loved, and our family session was just as fabulous.

Find more of Lyndsi’s photography work (or book a session!) in these spots:

Facebook // Website // Instagram

What about you: what part of your life most satisfies and fulfills you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

It was a fabulous and marvelous and wonderful weekend, my dears!

My parents came up for the weekend and we had a big work event at Ben’s work and an after party and a little visit with some out-of-state friends and burgers with family and other fun things! Weekends…you are truly the best.

We had dinner out with Ben’s brother and his little family at our favorite local burger place on Friday night (seriously, all locals…you gotta eat here), although in all honesty, they had dinner and I fed Ayla in the car, haha. #momlife But it was raining and lovely and I got to eat my burger eventually.

Ben’s work had their annual open house day on Saturday, which is the biggest day of the year for them! It was a great event with fun activities for the kids and barbecue chicken meals for lunch and ice cream and fresh doughnuts and live music. They brought in a hot air balloon for rides, but sadly the wind kept them from being able to take it up. Secretly I was slightly glad since I told Ben I would go up with him in it and I am not-so-secretly terrified of heights and a hot air balloon really freaks me out! But we do some crazy things for the people we love and I was just gonna do it…and knew it would probably end up being super fun and exciting in spite of being terrified of the whole experience. I’ll have to conquer that fear another time since the wind stayed too strong all day for them to get the balloon up.

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful and perfect day. The little miss slept in a little longer than normal and we got up and fed her first breakfast, and then had a long, leisure breakfast with my parents. It’s such fun to have them visiting for a few days, and we love to watch them love on little Ayla. There is something so special and rewarding about watching other people love your child. Some out-of-state friends stopped in for a little visit later in the morning and we had a good time catching up with them for an hour or so too.

The big highlight of the day was a little coffee date that Ben and I snuck away on during Ayla’s afternoon nap….another great perk of having my parents in town, hehe! We don’t expect nor even want our life to be like it was before Ayla joined our family, so of course dates and outings are different than they used to be. But it really was nice to have an hour or so together out on our own! We grabbed some iced lattes at a little cafe and sat by the lake and talked and kissed and snuggled, and then rushed back to our baby because we missed her.

Another highlight was the baby dedication service we had at church that evening. It was such a special time of thanking God for the gift of our daughter and dedicating her back to Him in the presence of our church and family. Ayla slept through the first part of the service (thankfully!), but in typical Sunday evening fashion, decided to get a little fussy for the last half. Like I said, Sunday evenings aren’t her favorite!

After church, my dad wanted pizza so we ordered a large veggie from a place in town and came home and demolished the whole thing. It’s nice having my parents in town, hehe! They are here for a few days yet so we are soaking up the grandparent time!

Here are five things I love:
– this dress
– this recipe
– this to teach our daughters
– this tutorial
– this salad

Have a great week!

What about you: what was the highlight of your weekend?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!