Last of Fall Fun

We had beautiful fall weather today. I had to make sure that Andrina and I got to enjoy being outside. This probably is the last time we'll get outside together before typical Chicago freezing cold and snow comes. It'll be her soon, I'm sure. Andrina loves being outside so much. I'm afraid that she's going to really miss the nice weather like I will. Until spring comes once again...

Sentimental and Thankful

I am a sentimental person. I cherish memories and momentos. I keep them close to me. I came across this picture in my camera from about a week ago. It's Andrina's footprints from after a bath. I was picking up in the bathroom after putting her down for the night when I saw her little footprints in the bath mat. It was so cute and they were so small that I had to take a picture of them. I am so very thankful for my baby girl. I love her so much.

Happy Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. Tom and I were super busy cooking all day long. I'm surprised that I remember to take any pictures at all I was so busy. But here's some from dinner this year. I have much to be thankful for and I am aware of that every day.

Something Different

I made some different foods to go with Thanksgiving dinner tonight-Native American foods, how appropriate. I made a honey bread and corn pudding and this-the prettiest dish at the table tonight-a stuffed sugar pumpkin. It has bison meat and wild rice as well as other yummy foods in it. It turned out great. It tastes great and it looks beautiful too. What do you think?

Wonderful Baby

Andrina had a great time at school today, the only problem was she refused to take a nap. But when we got home, we spent even more time playing together and cuddling than usual. And we spend A LOT of time doing those things! When it was time to watch her "baby DVD" (the reading one), I held her and we cuddled up and watched it together. And she was content to sit still and watch it for almost the entire way through. Just lots of cudding and us playing together. She's wonderful.

Children's Museum

Andrina and I met April and Anne at the children's museum again today. The cousins enjoyed themselves and they even played together some too. Not a small feat for a 2 1/2 year old and a 16 month old. Here's some pictures:

Memories

I just finished reading April's post about how she is so anticipating the birth of her new baby. It brought tears to my eyes because her description fits my own pregnancy with Andrina perfectly. It bought back so many memories.

I remember wanting Andrina so badly. I remember waiting and waiting to get pregnant. Waiting until I accomplished my own goal of finishing school so I would never resent my child. So if I didn't finish, there was no way I could blame him/her for it. Waiting until I was married and had a home so my baby would have a home and a mommy and a daddy. I remember being absolutely astounded that I got pregnant the very first time we tried. I was actually dumbfounded by it, thinking that I was over 30, so how did I get pregnant the first time we tried...

I remember wanting to hold my baby so badly and that I had to settle for holding and rubbing my growing belly. And at the same time being terrified that she would come too early and I would cry, hating that she might be one of those too tiny, too underdeveloped babies that was born too soon and might not make it. I would hold and rub my belly, telling her that I wanted to hold her in my arms but she had to stay inside of me so she could be born strong and healthy.

How I wanted to hold my baby so badly. When she was born I just held of for about an hour, gazing at her, until the nurse reminded me that I should nurse her. I was so busy just holding her and watching her that I forgot that I was supposed to nurse her within an hour after birth. And when she slept that night, I couldn't sleep. I brought her to my hospital bed and laid her next to me, one arm around her, the other touching her. And now she's this happy, healthy toddler and I am so in love with her. Everyday when I wake up I look forward to being with her. How I love cuddling her and playing with her. She is the center of my universe and I don't think I could go on if I ever lost her. I think I came alive when I gave birth to her.