Thankful

This past weekend was, of course, American Thanksgiving. First of all let me say, it's incredible being a Canadian living in the United States. Why? Well because I get to celebrate TWO Thanksgivings! I enjoy this fact - for two reasons. Of course, for the over eating of food, but more importantly for the reminder of being thankful.

I truly consider myself to be a thankful person. I am and have been so very blessed in my life and have numerous blessings to be thankful for and I am thankful for them more than twice a year. I love that the two countries that I have lived in set aside time to reflect and say 'thanks'.

Brogan at the head of the table

This year was especially special. Brogan's first Thanksgiving. Though he doesn't understand what went on this weekend, why Papa and Gramma were here, or why there is such thing as 'Thanksgiving', he still had his first. And if I may, I will say that he has much to be thankful for. He has food to eat everyday (five or more times a day), he has clothes to cover his little body and diapers for his little bum. :) He has more toys and stuffed animals than he knows what to do with. He lives in a house with running, clean water and heat that turns on before it gets too cold. He has a Daddy and a Mommy that love him to the moon and back and would do anything for him. Not to mention, the 6 Grandmas, 4 Grampas, 3 Uncles, 2 Aunts, and one first cousin that love him very much (plus the equally important great- uncles, and aunts and 2nd cousins and so on). My son is BLESSED to say the least. And why shouldn't he be? Why can't every child have these blessings? I may never know why. All I can do is thank God that we live where we live and have the things that we do and teach my son to be just as thankful.

 

And so, I am thankful. Thankful for my extended family and how I was brought up in a loving home that taught me right from wrong. Thankful for my immediate family - my handsome loving husband and my precious baby boy. Thankful for the friends and mentors that helped shape me into the woman I am today. Thankful for a God who is not distant, that loves me through my faults and humaness every day! And for so much more... that of which will be spoken of in the future. 

 

I am simply thankful. For everything.

Perspective

Last Saturday, November 3, 2012, my baby was 7 months old! Today, Tuesday November 6, he is 31 weeks old. And yesterday, yours truly, celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my 25th birthday. :)  How is this possible?  

You've heard them say it ' time flies when you're having fun', or 'just wait until you get married and have kids, then time will really go fast'. They weren't lying. As I ponder my 25+ years (I'm not in denial), I wonder - where DID the time go? There have been times in my life when I honestly thought I would never see the light or never grow 'up' - time just seemed to stand still. But then all of  sudden, someone hit fast-forward! Where is the pause button?

Life as a college student is fond memory - yet it feels like a lifetime ago! And I'm not that old! Only four years ago did I graduate. Then there is high school.. what? I have special memories, with friends and family during that time, but already most of it is a fog. I couldn't tell you my class schedule, or what shampoo I used at that time (who could?) - but I can tell you who my friends were and how I enjoyed spending my time. 

The past 7 months have been such a wonderful time in my life. I have watched a tiny person, grow, learn and explore the world around him so quickly! I want to remember EVERYTHING..and again only 7 months into it, I am forgetting. Some days are a blur - how do I remember? I do keep a baby book, and a journal every once and awhile. I think that will help me remember these precious days as I get older.. and forget. 

When I look at Brogan, I can't imagine what my life would be like without him and I am amazed with his perfection that was created by myself, my hubby and of course, My God! Every day is something new for Brogan. He never ceases to amaze me. 

Only 7 months ago, I did not know this boy. I was a wife, a daughter, a sister, a (great) granddaughter a (great) niece and I friend. Now I can add, Mother. Something I have always dreamed about and now - I am! 7 months/31 weeks as a Mother and I am forever changed! 

My perspective on life has changed. It's about Brogan now. How can I make his life easier? What can I do for him today, that will help him tomorrow? Every little decision Chris and I make right now will impact Brogan's little life. Whoa - no pressure! :) He has opened my eyes to so many things on only 7 months! What will the next 7 years show me? And about that pause button? Who has it???? 

Though I feel scattered and not really knowing what the purpose of writing this entry is I am learning to enjoy my today and soak up every minute before it's just a memory. 

6 months

Today is a special day in the Sherrick home. Though I've been aware of it's coming for weeks, I still find it hard to believe that it is here. 

Brogan is six months old today! 

I can't believe that my baby is that old! The past six months have been full of excitement, fears, stress, joy, tears and most of all love. Unless you have a child, you cannot understand the love that explodes from your heart for the little one that you now have complete care for. I surely didn't. Of course, as a child, I knew my parents loved me and now as an adult, I still know they do. However, I never completely understood the MAGNITUDE of their love. I learned this on April 3, 2012 at 12:48 PM. I began to understand this love sometime in July of 2011.. but until I held my precious baby boy it had not reached it's full potential. All I know to say to express how I felt when I met him was that I might explode if I loved him any more. Nothing has changed. 

Today as I reflect the past six months, I can't help but smile. Brogan has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. He has made me realized the importance of each moment. In the middle of the night, when I am exhausted and he is crying, wanting to eat, I've been reminded how quickly these moments will pass. And instead of wishing them away, I've welcomed them, sometimes not so easily, but I have tried to cherish late nights and cranky times. 

Brogan has taught me the simple power of a smile. His first smile was around one month old and he hasn't stopped since. No matter how my day is going, when I walk into the room and see that little dimple on his right cheek, I instantly melt. One smile from him and I forget my troubles, my worries, my fears and I am completely wrapped up in the beauty of his face. So smile, it doesn't cost anything and it brightens the world!

Then there is the giggle. If the smile didn't work (which is always does) then the giggle will! Honestly! A babies joy and laughter is one of the best sounds in this world. I would make it my ring tone, if I could. (Hm, I wonder if I could?) Brogan has been laughing since he was around 2 and a half months old. He really is a happy baby. Most people wonder if he ever cries (let me assure you, he does!) We have been completely blessed with a pleasant baby, who goes wherever we go and does what we do with ease. I couldn't have put him together any better than he is. God has created a masterpiece and Chris and I get to enjoy him everyday. 

Already when I see a newborn, I think, Brogan was never that little! It's hard to remember how small he really was - even looking at pictures and holding his newborn clothes (that at the time were big) it's still hard to imagine him that small. But I am also reminded of how quickly he has grown and has made new discoveries each day. 

While the past six months have been so great, I can't help but dream about the future. What will Brogan sound like? What will he like to eat? Will he have my sense of humor? Will he enjoy the things his Daddy enjoys? What will he look like? So many things to wonder and discover about him in the years to come and I am so excited to learn each mystery. I am not wishing my today away, I am simply excited about watching him grow and enjoying each day with him.

I am a better person because of Brogan and my prayer is that he continues to teach me things about life and myself as he grows. 

Happy six month birthday baby! 

Clean hands

Being a fairly new mother, I have learned so much more about babies and children in the last year that I thought I already knew. Through experiences, as well as reading books and asking friends for advice, I have gathered more knowledge than I thought I needed as a Mom - and I know there is more to learn! :)

My latest thought about my almost 5 month old (crazy) is why on earth people think it's alright to insert their fingers into my babies mouth!!? Maybe it doesn't bother you and to be honest, I didn't think it would ever bother me - however....it does!

Go with me for a minute. Think about the last time you washed your hands? I mean, really washed your hands - with warm water, soap, rubbing all over hands - including finger nails, while singing your ABC's? (A trick we taught our preschoolers at work to make sure they were washing long enough). My guess is probably 80% of the time we don't do this (maybe more). So then, why should you place your fingers in ANY child's mouth? My answer is, you shouldn't! Now I understand that not everyone does this. In fact, I have only ever done it with Brogan, my child, after I know my hands are clean. So don't be upset and get all defensive, because I know there are people out there that don't do this. :)

BUT! Let me ask you this question....have you ever grabbed a babies hand and placed your finger in their tiny hands? My son is 2 days shy of being 5 months old, and for weeks now everything has gone into his mouth. Everything. To me, you might as well stick your finger in his mouth because after you've placed your finger in his hand, where do you think his hand goes? Yup, you guessed it, into his mouth.



Now as I write this, I think who am I? haha! I am not a germaphobe, by any means! But this bothers me to no end. I guess it's because I don't want my son to get sick and I am being all mama-bearish about protecting him. And I know germs are good and that I can't protect him from everything, but this seems like something people ought to think about. How clean are my hands? If you seriously think about all of the things that you touch in a day and how many other people have touched that very thing, you would be washing your hands constantly. Because let's face it, even if you do indeed wash your hands often and properly, who's to say that the lady that just left the bathroom and turned the door knob did? Or the guy that just sneezed in his hand? Gross.


Which brings me to my next point and really the thing I struggle with most. How do I politely ask people not to do this? It's almost everyone's first instinct to grab a babies hand. I don't want to be rude or seem crazy, so I normally don't say anything.

Excuse me while I go wash my hands. (:

Firsts

We experience many 'firsts' in our lives. I recently had my first baby and experienced all that you experience with having a baby for the first time. (Which of course was a wonderful experience). I am now enjoying all of the firsts that Brogan experiences in his little life.

Brogan - 1 day old

 There of course is the first kiss, date, heartache, car, friend, and first love. (And many other firsts that I can't think of at the moment!) 

Here again, I am facing another first for myself. MY first blog entry - ever! Because of this, I am not really sure as to what my blog will be about. It will most likely be about random thoughts or experiences that I am dealing with or going through. A lot of it will probably end up being about Brogan. Either way, you (whoever you are) are in for a roller coaster ride of entries. 

I must confess that I don't really know what I am doing either -this promises to be interesting. 

So hang on tight and enjoy the spastic thoughts of Erica. :)