Emotional

This time of year is notorious for the "growing up" and "going away" songs on the radio...from "Cinderella" by SCC to "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris. Lately, I've been a crybaby. It seems like every time I hear one of these songs, I think about my little girl and how I want to do everything I can to prepare her for living a successful life. I never really grasped those songs and how amazing the lyrics were until I had Sydney.

If you've never heard the song "In my Arms" by Plumb, you need to give it a listen. It comes on XM Radio just about every 15 minutes, and I never get tired of it. The lyrics...

your baby blues, so full of wonder, your curley cues, your contagious smile

and as i watch, you start to grow up, all I can do, is hold you tight, knowing clouds will rage up, storms will race in, but you will be safe in my arms, rains will pour down, waves will crash around, but you will be safein my arms, story books, are full of fairy tales, of kings and queens, and the bluest skies

My heart is torn, just in knowing you'll someday, see the truth from lies

when the clouds will rage and, storms will race in, but you will be safe in my arms, rains will pour down, waves will crash around, but you will be safein my arms, Castles they might crumble, dreams may not come true, but you are never all alone because I will always always love you

If this song doesn't jerk a tear out of you, check your pulse. Powerful lyrics. Reminds me of something Nichole Nordeman would write. She's pretty deep, too!

Saturday Smiles

Yahoo! Mom and Dad are home with me! It's 6:30 on Saturday morning and I just slept a full 10 hours and I'm ready to play!

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On

Getting Sydney dressed in the morning is the highlight of my day. It is so much fun digging in her dresser drawers and closet to find a new cute outfit! She was definitely blessed with lots of clothes, both new and hand-me downs. I just love the hand-me downs...they're already broken in and super soft from repeated washings. This morning, we were sporting our Old Navy stonewashed carpenter blue jeans. (She needs a cute pair of baby motorcycle boots to complete this ensemble.)

Sugarfoot

Aren't baby feet the cutest thing? It seems that every time Sydney meets someone for the first time, the feet are instantly uncovered and tickled! People can't resist baby tootsies and Sydney has some cutie pie toes! Before she was born, my Dad decided he was going to call her Sugarfoot. He said he had a dream that I was handing him the baby for the first time and he said, "There's my Sugarfoot!" (If she's like her mama, she will be able to pick up things with her toes when she gets a little bigger.)

The Best Mother's Day Gift

Sydney has perfect timing. She slept through the night for the first time on Saturday night!

Can you hear the heavens rejoice?

Here she is still sound asleep at 6:15 a.m. Sunday morning....all snug in her sleep sack. I had to take a picture because I couldn't believe it.

When I woke her up, she was all smiles!
Thank you, sweetheart...you knew exactly what I wanted!

A Very Special Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve...counting down the hours until the day comes that gives special honor to all women who have children.

I cannot believe that I am looking forward to a day, that for the last several years, has been filled with heartache and frustration. Tomorrow will be a day in which I can stand up with the rest of the mothers at church and be loved and prayed over. I will not have to stay seated with the teenage girls and men. I am FINALLY a mother! I give all the glory to God for the miracle of motherhood that I am experiencing this year for the first time.

In honor of this very special Mother's Day, I wrote a poem for my own mother. I framed this poem along with a picture of Sydney and myself. I am planning on presenting this gift to my mom tomorrow and I hope she will be touched by the words that came straight from my heart.

“Since I’ve Become a Mother”

Since I’ve Become a Mother, I now can comprehend,
What it’s like to share each day, With your future dearest friend.

Before I had my baby, I didn’t understand,
The way a heart is molded, changed, By a tiny little hand.

When I rock sweet Sydney, And gaze upon her face,
I imagine me, cradled there, You, sitting in my place.

The love I have for her, So strong, it’s hard to breathe,
Thrills me at a greater depth, ‘cause, You feel that love for me.

As I watch her sleeping, I wonder who she’ll be,
And what I’ll do to guide her steps, Just like you did for me.

You taught me how to listen, To live for Him each day,
I will instill those same beliefs, So she’ll walk in His way.

Since I’ve Become a Mother, My heart’s bigger than before,
Not sure how it’s possible, But I love you even more.

---Renesha Bishop Chambers, 2009

Get a Jump on Things

Sydney's Papaw (Chris' dad) brought her a Jumper a month or 2 before she was born. You know...one of those crazy lookin' things that you hang from a door frame. Reminds me of a baby bungee jump device. I saw it in the closet yesterday and thought, "I wonder if she is big enough for that thing yet?" I read the owners guide and it said, "Use when baby is 6 months old or can sit up unassisted." What a bummer...we're not quite there yet, but do you think that stopped me? I rolled up a blanket and stuffed it in the jumper so she would have a snug fit. The minute I put Sydney in the jumper, she started smiling and tapping her toes on the floor. She had a blast! Of course, I was right there, inches away the whole time. (My dear friend Valerie, the safety queen, is probably having a heart attack about now...) I guess I won't tell you that I also put her to sleep on her stomach. There's a whole generation (my age group) walking around now living their lives whose mom put them to sleep on their tummy every night. But I digress...

I am in the "buy every cool looking baby gadget" zone right now. Chris has prohibited me from doing any more Ebaying for quite a while. My latest purchase... the ever popular Bumbo, and of course I got the play tray to go with it. I have also purchased the auto baby bottle warmer, the Infantino front to back carrier, the Graco car seat swing frame, and the Pack'n Play with the bassinet. Our living room looks like the showroom floor at Babies 'R Us. It's madness!

Week 1...Complete!

I just finished up my first week back at work after having Sydney. I was put on bed rest in January and it has been a LONG time since I stepped foot into the office. I had so much work piled up for me to do that the time went pretty fast. I have some fantastic baby sitters, so it helps to know that Sydney is perfectly safe, loved, and happy. I did miss my afternoon naps with her stretched out in the super plush glider recliner.

Before I had a child, I was notorious for bringing my work home with me. It just made sense to finish up my tasks that I did not complete that day at home. Now, I cringe when I look back at all those late nights on the computer or hours spent on the couch grading papers. When I leave work, all I can think about is spending time with Chris and Sydney. I throw my bag in the corner and it collects dust till I pick it up again to go back to work the next day.

I know Sydney is thrilled that she is not being buckled into a carseat this morning and carted around town. I am thrilled that she is sleeping peacefully next to my heart having sweet dreams....with the occasional whimper when she doesn't catch the rabbit she is chasing.