My Inspiration

The inspiration behind this blog is of course my amazing family so I figured today I would introduce you to them.

The first would be my amazing hubby, Mr. Practical.  I met him in 2001 and after our first date I knew he was the man for me. From day one he has been respectful, gentle, kind, supportive, and the fact that he is dashingly handsome is a bonus. :o) Through all life’s adversity he never waivers in his resolve to be a loving husband who is faithful, understanding, and ever present in our lives.  When you marry you can speculate on what kind of father your partner is going to be but the true test is when it actually happens.  The day Sweet Pea was born he held her for the first time, looked into her eyes, and promised her “I will always love you, I will always protect you.” When Butter Bean was born, he promised the same. Over the years he has proven himself to be the kind of father every little girl wishes for.  He adores his children, takes the same pleasure as I do in watching their little triumphs in life, laughs at just how truly funny they are, understands their quirks and appreciates them for the people they are, and loves them. Important above all else is love.

Sweet Pea is our first.  She was born and within her first breath I finally understood just how meaningful life really is.

My pregnancy was full of complications, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, terrible sickness, and general unpleasantness for 9 months.  I did not gain a pound while pregnant with her and within the 2 days after she was born I lost a total of 55lbs. She arrived 3 weeks early after an unexpected induction. Her birth was rather frightening with a momentary shoulder dystocia and a truly scary few minutes while the doctors were concerned she might have down syndrome. While she did not those were very tense moments that we did not prepare for.  In the days that followed I had terrible blood pressure problems and she had a horrible case of jaundice that kept us both in the hospital for 7 days.  The next challenge we would face was her horrible case of baby reflux.  It was very difficult for her to eat, she had a hard a very hard time keeping food down, and not even medication kept her comfortable.

Through it all I still marvel at that little baby.  She was and is so amazingly adorable, smart, independent, funny, inventive, and truly my first little miracle.  She is not the conventional child in any way, shape, or form.  She questions everything that life has to offer and a simple answer will never suffice.  Ever eager to learn, she reminds me of her uncle (my brother).  Always trying to figure out how things work. She’s artistic like her mommy and makes me the most wonderful drawings. Now 4 1/2 years old, she is growing up so fast and I can hardly believe this wonderful little girl sometimes. My heart swells with happiness at the mention of her name.

Then came my Butter Bean. I can think of no better word for this child than joyful.  Although I am a terrible pregnant person in general my pregnancy with her was not nearly as eventful. I had expected her to come early as she did with another unexpected induction, but I dodged many other bullets.  I did not have gestational diabetes again and thankfully did not have pre-eclampsia (a huge fear of mine the second time around.)  Her birth was uneventful. With 2 pushes there she was, my tiny little peanut. Out of the hospital in 24 hours, we went home to start our life as a family of 4.  Butter Bean was an easy baby and I had been so prepared for an experience like I had with Sweet Pea. Now 2, she is the most loveable child you have ever met.  The kisses and hugs flow freely and she is a talker to say the least.  So smart, so funny, so incredible. She seems to be an old soul.  She watches your every move with and inquisitive eye and learns how things work very quickly.  Always in tune with everyone’s feelings, she loves to cheer you up when you are down. She brings joy to our family that cannot be measured.

Together, as life hands us lemons, we always seem to find many uses for them. We are strong and unified.  I would have nothing without the fantastic man I married and the two beautiful children we created. 

Everyday I am overwhelmingly grateful to God for the heaping amount of blessings he has bestowed upon me.