My First Mother's Day!

Last Sunday was my first Mother's Day as a Mommy and it was great!

On Saturday, I was invited to a Mother's Day Tea by one of my cousins. She threw the tea for her Mother-in-law, but invited myself and my mother, along with a select few others. I had never really been to an adult tea party before (I used to play tea with my teddy bears as a little girl) and Marci went ALL out. She had the tea in her sunroom and had little tea sandwhiches, scones, cookies, choclate covered strawberries, little cute deserts, and of course many many selections of tea. She even made little rose bouquets in tea cups as favors. She said that everyone was to take a tea cup and every time we drink out of the tea cup to remember this mother's day and the tea. How creative!

Alex was the hit of the party. None of my relatives on this side of the family had met Alex yet and they just loved all over him. Thankfully, he was a good little boy and was so well behaved the entire time. He screamed before we left and in the car, but once we got to the house, he was all smiles and "Agoos". Everyone enjoyed holding him and he flirted shamelessley with all the ladies there.

Some pictures of Alex and Mommy on Mother's Day

Pictures from the Tea on Saturday. The one above isAlex with our Hostess, Marci.

On the way home from the tea my mom and I made a small detour and went to look at our old family farm. This was the farm that my grandmother (my mom's mom) had grown up on. It was really neat to see the farm and see all the buildings my great-grandfather and great-great grandfather had built. In fact one or two of the buildings had little historical markers on them saying that they were built by William Shelly in 1860. My mom said that my great-grandparents sold the farm in the 30's during the Depression because land was taken to build the PA Turnpike and that it was just too much to handle for my family. The current owners of the farm look to be selling various bits of land off piece by piece as there are new homes since the last time we were there as well as for sale signs on some of the fields. According to my mom, the owners who currently reside there are more into raising and breeding horses than actually farming the land.

That night Henry and I went out for Sushi...my first time not pregnant. It was OK. The food was fabulous, but Alex was fussy the entire time. Henry and I have come to the conclusion that we can no longer go out for dinner at 7/8ish as that is Alex's fussy time of day and he just cries and cries because he is so tired and is ready for bed. He finally fell asleep in my arms as we were literally finishing dinner...Oh well...

Sunday was a pretty low key day. We had breakfast together with my parents and my grandfather stopped by after church. Alex was so cute with my grandfather. He talked and smiled with Grandy for almost the entire time he was here. After my grandfather left, Henry and I got ready and headed out to pick up his mom for lunch and then to visit his dad at the rehab center. Then it was back home for dinner with my parents and then the dreaded bath time!

Before his bath, notice the lack of a screaming baby..

Alex interacting with my grandfather. Please do not look at me. I was not picture ready.

There are several things that I have learned in the short time that I have been a Mommy.

The first thing that I found surprising is that babies fart. Now, I knew that babies were gassy little creatures, but I swear, my child can toot with the best of adults. The funniest time was one of the first days that Alex was home, we were changing him and he let out this massive fart. In fact, my parents heard him all the way down the hall and both came looking to see what had happened. I know gas hurts them and they have to let it out, but almost everytime he does gas, Henry and I roll on the floor laughing.

Another thing I realized is I didn't realize how obsessed I would be with all the little things Alex does. My mom says I am paranoid, I say I am proactive. I can't believe how my life revolves around feedings (and pumping..you wouldn't believe how much planning it takes just to leave the house..should I take a bottle, etc) and poopy and wet diapers. I used to joke to friends that my conversation changed over the years from what to wear to go out on the weekends, to mortgage payments, health insurance and retirement saving, to now Alex's bowl movements (mainly only Henry gets the latest and greatest updates)and the latest new thing Alex does..like a new sound or a new facial expression. I try to be good and not over talk Alex to everyone as I know not everyone is not as into my kid as I am...but it is hard as I am so excited about the smallest things he does.

Alex is 10 weeks old today and it is hard to believe how much he has changed. He is so alert now and awake for longer periods during the day. He is smiling all the time now and talks constantly. He can hold his head up for short periods of time and does not cry as much as he used to. He is content to sit on your lap and look at people and things and LOVES his musical Winnie the Pooh mobile. Henry and I now know the words to the Winnie the Pooh theme song.

Overall, life is good. We are still waiting to hear from Merck about the interviews for that job Henry was referred for, which means we haven't been able to start looking for a place of our own yet. I am having a really hard time coming to terms with the fact that I have to go back to work in just 7 short weeks. I have really enjoyed being home with Alex and it is hard knowing that when he is really getting interactive, I won't be there...I will be at work... I know millions of women have to work and survive and I will too...but it is still hard.