Motherhood

I know this is my second post for the day, but I can't help but talk about my beautiful boy Ashton.  Ashton is my miracle. He was born November 24th, 2009, 2 days before Thanksgiving.  My husband Alan and I had been trying to have a baby for a very long time.  We went through fertility treatments back in 2008 but did not have any success.  We gave up thinking we would ever have a biological child of our own and decided to focus on the foster to adopt process.  We got our first foster placement in March of 2009, 3 high energy children ages 5, 6, and 7.  Though we knew they were not adoptable, we decided to go ahead and invite them into our lives.  On March 31st of 2009, I found out I was pregnant with Ashton, just 2 weeks after those 3 darling little kids came to live with us. Nathan, Natel, and Nashel moved to Louisiana to live with family on Novemeber 1, 2009.  I miss them a lot and think of them daily.  I think I would be heart broken when they left had I not been pregnant.  They were fun and challenging and prepared me to be the mom I am to my little Ashton. 

Ashton is a happy baby and pretty content just hanging out doing whatever mom and dad are doing.  He loves to play with his toys, sing, talk, and splash in the tub.  He is experiencing new things every day like new baby foods, ice cream, going for walks, hearing new music, and going new places.  I find myself telling him about all sorts of things.  Having a baby has made me realize how much a person learns over their lifetime and just how much a baby learns in just a few months of life.  Babies come into this world  as a "blank slate" ready for the world to teach them and make and impression on them.  Fortunately for a baby their first contact is mom and dad, the two people who make the most difference in how this little one's life and personality will be shaped.  As a mom, it is my responsibility to teach by example and with love.  I want Ashton to not be afraid to try new things like I was.  I want him to be compassionate and love others.  I want to arm him with positivity and an amazing self esteem to fight off negativity.  I want him to have faith in others, but especially to have faith in God and Jesus Christ.  I want him to know that he can pray for help and that even when his parents aren't physically present, there is always someone there for him no matter the time or place. 

Being a mom is not just giving birth to a baby but an opportunity to continually reflect on who I am, what I will be, and how my life impacts my little boy and the person he will become.  I love him so much and will do my best to help him become and amazing man one day.

Naughty Nubby

This morning, while I was changing Ashton's diaper, my dog Mandy stole a chocolate cupcake off the kitchen counter and made a crummy mess all over the floor.  She must have eaten the cupcake paper because there was no sign of it anywhere.  Nubby (the nickname we gave her due to her nubby tail) has been quite naughty lately.  It seems to me she is feeling a little attention deprived since Ashton was born.  She tries to get our attention by stealing Ashton's toys and pacifiers, getting things off the kitchen counter, pawing at us, barking at things she wants that she can't reach, and a few other things.  Mandy was our only "child" and main focus for 6 years and now must compete with our 5 month old boy.  I make an effort to play with her every day, pet her, and give her treats, but I must admit she isn't my priority right now.  She is not a bad dog by any means, but a very sweet, lovable, playful Cocker Spaniel who is ready and willing to make friends with everyone and anyone who passes by.  She is so sweet to Ashton and gives him "drive-by" licks on top of his head and doesn't get angry when Ashton reaches up and pulls her fur.  She loves to snuggle and give big kisses, loves to play fetch, go for rides in the car, go to grandma and grandpa's house, but she especially loves to go for walks. Somehow I need to make sure I find more time for her, to take her on those walks.  As for the jumping up to steal things off the kitchen counter, I need to find a way to get her to stop.  I guess finding a dog trainer is in order.  No matter what, I love my Nubby puppy and enjoy having her in my life.