I am one lucky mama....

 I think we all go through moments, days, phases in our lives when we question everything that we are going through... I personally have had times when I thought that life couldn't get worse... or that life is just not fair...

But since Michelle has come into my life... I have started to cherish each moment with her... count each blessing... In the past couple weeks, I have had the opportunity to really appreciate the little things that I could've never realize...

For example - watching the thousands of children in Haiti having to fight, cry and beg for food, made me realize that I don't really know what Michelle's cry for hunger sounds like.  Thats mainly because we blessed enough that she's never had to cry for food.  Michelle cries everytime either my husband or I walk out of the room... thats because she's scared of loosing us... she can't bear to be without us... yet seeing those children from Haiti brought tears to my eyes... thinking of what if it was Michelle who was crying for us because she had lost us for ever... and maybe that is God's plan but I am comforted by the fact that there are so many individuals around me who will love her and take care of her... 

I can keep going for pages about everything that I have been blessed with ... my family, my husband, my friends, my job, my health, my house.....

As I close it post... I keep thinking about how lucky I am ... and ofcourse thanking God for making me one....

Who am I?

I guess we all go through phases in life when we try to define ourselves.... I had written in a post around my birthday 2 years ago that I have changed so much in the past years... and yet again as I approach my birthday again... I find myself asking the same question...

Who am I? What defines me? My work title is 'Senior Business Analyst' ... So thats who I am at work.  In my personal life I am - a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor etc... It's amazing how we are able to wear all these hats at the same time and yet search for our individual identity  everyday...

Hopefully by the end of my road - I'll finally find the answer to my question... or maybe thats the whole point - to evolve and become a new person with every stage in our life...

Am I a mini-me?

Everyone one of my friends who has met my mom has agreed that I am mini-me version of her.  Everyone swears that I look just like her.  Even people who dont know me have stopped me to ask me if I'm mom's daughter.  I love this ... I love that I am an image of my mom and as a mom of a daughter - I can only hope my daughter reminds everyone of me - I guess only time will tell...

Gluttony is the theme for the day

When we had initially moved into our house 2 years ago, we assumed that we'd be here about 5 yrs and would start to build our dream home... but as we started to meet our neighbors one by one... 5 yrs turned to 7 and now we're not sure when we'd want to move... we definitely have the best neighbors ever .... I mean our cul-de-sac is full of so much positive energy and love that it's more like a little family....

We usually have a get together here and there and absolutely love the company.  Today we had a brunch at our neighbor Dave & Jane's house and the turnout was awesome... about 30 neighbors were there and there was plenty of yummy food.  We had a great time .... and even though I had decided to be good and not 'pig-out', I am definitely at a point where I think I need to bring out my maternity pants.... :D... the 2009 babies were there - yes babies, there were 5 babies born in 2009 on our street, 2 in April and 3 in Nov-Dec.  I loved holding Nate - made realize how much Michelle had grown in the past 8 months and what an awesome journey we have been on...

As this day closes, I am going to try and upload some pics from our brunch, watch the eagles win (hopefully)... and relax and enjoy my perfect little family...

TGIF

Def happy that its Friday .... its been a long week... been a long time since I've had to work a full week... so it was especially difficult to readjust to the 5 day work week.  I am definitely looking forward to the weekend... can't wait to spend 2 whole days with my little one... she is at an awesome age where she absolutely loves hanging out with us and we love all the new things that is learning to do everyday. 

I am also excited about the cul-de-sac brunch we are having on Saturday.  It's going to be great hanging out with neighbors and seeing them all after such a long time... We adore all our neighbors, they all come from very different walks of life and each has so much to offer and are very happy that we live where we do. I am making banana bread and a egg bake... can't wait.... for all the yummy food. 

Happy friday to everyone!

Thinking of entering Michelle in the Parenting magazine beautiful baby contest... but not sure which picture to use... thoughts?

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Let the countdown begin...

Although 2009 was a wonderous and exciting year, I am definitely happy to be in 2010. Ofcourse nothing will top Michelle being born, 2010 will bring me to a destination that I will be more than happy to cross... April 9th. I am sure most of you are thinking, the one year mark to Michelle's birth? Ofcourse that is important but its the day I stop pumping...

I can tell you for sure that I am going to be packing up the DA** pump up and throwing it in the attic. I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it and def will throw it gently so that I can use it for next time around (Yea... no time soon) but good riddance until then! Every day is stressful, looking and measuring the ounces, worrying about if I'll be able to wake up at night to pump, or if I am going to have to defrost again. All the while, fighting with a husband who wants me to start supplementing (only because he hates to see me stressing so much) ... But I am pretty hard headed and pretty sure I am taking on undue pressure. I am not against supplementing or formula feeding - its just a goal that I had set for myself and want to reach.

Gone will be nights of waking up at 2 am to pump so that I can make up the difference for the next day for daycare. Gone will be the ugly nursing bras .... just the thought brings a smile to my face...

I have absolutely loved nursing and the extra 1-on-1 time I get with Michelle and have no regrets about my decision... but I guess I never knew the roadblocks that I could/would face.

Its a struggle everyday, so here's hoping that I can go on for 13 more wks...