i am a boy mom...

One week ago today, I became Mom to this wiggly, squeaky, delicious, gorgeous boy.

I have a nephew. I have a husband. What I don't have is any clue about raising a boy. What I know for sure is that my heart is full of love for this little monkey and I'm going to do the best I can to learn.

I ask his forgiveness in advance for being his own personal paparazzi. One that cannot be shut out by a gate because I live with him (ha!). Although I can't promise not to dress him up in silly hats or clothing that he may one day find objectionable in order to get a great shot, I'll try not to embarrass him too much.

Being a boy mom will likely mean that this cat will not be the only creature I will be forced to contend with in my home over the years. I'm bracing myself for bugs, worms and all manner of creepy crawlers (but, please Lord, not a fascination with reptiles!).

Being a boy mom will mean sharing child rearing with my amazing husband and hoping everyday that he can teach our son to be as good of a man. A man who will be respectful of his mom and all women. To have a solid work ethic, be loyal, honest, creative and to try his best at everything he does. There will be sports. Many, many, many pieces of sports equipment, games and tournaments and I will do my best to learn the rules and know what I'm cheering about on the sidelines.

Being a boy mom will hopefully bring with it the promise I heard over and over since my 21st week of pregnancy when we found out 'the baby' would, in fact, be a HE..."Oh how wonderful! Boys love their moms."
I have a feeling that being a boy mom will be the most rewarding, puzzling, dirt and noise filled, wonderful journey I've ever undertaken and I'm looking forward to every single minute (yes, even the icky reptile ones).

This post was inspired by the always poignant and funny boy mom, Jill of Baby Rabies.

our very own christmas miracle...

Our beautiful son, George Elias was born on Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 8:36 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measures 19.5 inches long.


Arriving at 37 weeks, 3 days and 11 days before my scheduled c-section, he made quite the surprise entrance into our world and we could not be more thrilled! It's amazing just how quickly such a tiny little person can take up every ounce of space in your heart and expand your capacity for joy beyond belief.

-- posted from my iPhone

36 weeks...

Baby Boom will be full term at the end of this week meaning, he can make his appearance pretty much any time now!

I have 9 business days left at work and, while I haven't really been nesting at home yet, I certainly have been at the office. It's getting increasingly uncomfortable sitting at this desk (oh, my poor cankles!!!) and I have exacly two pair of work pants left that appropriately fit my belly (although, thankfully, they still fit everywhere else). This must mean it's about time, right? Right?!?!?

On for this weekend's to-do list - install the car seat bases, start getting the wall decor up in the nursery, washing more baby clothes and blankets and playing around with my new camera in the daylight. Hey, I need to know how to use it before I have a need to take newborn photos! Lots to do and little time left...

showered...

Saturday was my baby shower. It was a beautiful party with so many wonderful and generous family and friends. Baby Boom is already very loved and anticipated by so many people and we are so fortunate! I'll post a couple of pics when I have a chance to pull them off my card.

My husband pulled off a huge surprise by having my sister hand me one final gift from him at the end of the day (encompassing the shower, my birthday, Christmas, push present and 1st anniversary gift in one!). So, until our son makes his appearance I have a stand-in, brand new baby...

The Canon 50D with the 50 mm f/1.4 lens. Straight out of the box, with not a single inkling of what to do with a Canon, I got a few shots that I already love in very low indoor light. Power combo! Completely. blown. away.Plus this Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Supposed to be fast, sharp and fabulous. I'm trying hard to wait to really use anything until my UV filters arrive in the mail (fingers crossed for tomorrow) and the glass is well-protected. Then, I'll be unleashed...as far as my swollen, waddling body will allow :-)

And new gear begs for new storage, right? I haven't been happy with my current camera bag for a long time. It served a purpose but, I never quite felt safe walking around (in NYC especially) with an obvious camera bag and specifically one that was a backpack and could have easily been unzipped and emptied, quite literally, behind my back. I've browsed here and there in the past couple of years for a bag that looked far more unassuming, offered great organization and protection and would easily hold the camera one or more lenses plus my personal things (wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, etc.). Last night, I stumbled across the JoTotes site and this olive number sung to me. The reviews I've found are good, it fits all of my criteria and is far less expensive than most of the other bags on the market. I slept on it and this morning made my decision. Hopefully, it's already on it's way to me.

Baby Boom is sure to be one of the most photographed babies around, no?

role play...

Feeling overly nostalgic this morning, I started thinking about all of the roles we play in life. All of the titles we assume on the path that leads us to where we are at this very moment. Just think about it for a moment and a vivid timeline will appear...

I was born a daughter, grand-daughter and niece.

At 4 months, I was a cousin.

At 3 1/2, I became a sister.

At 4 years, 9 months, I entered kindergarten and became a student. Sometime that year, if not before, I was called friend.

Through school I was a a reader, soccer player (briefly), swimmer, Editor-in-Chief, honor student and then, high school graduate.

In college, I was psych major, a children's entertainer (part time job), copy girl, Resident Advisor, girlfriend, tennis player and woman of the world as I lived, studied and traveled in England.

After graduate school, I became a social worker and this role defined me for many years until I assumed my new role two years ago, staff trainer.

In February 2009, I was blessed to become a wife to my incredible husband.

This year, beginning today at 35 years young, I am about to take on my most coveted, anticipated, dreamt about role yet.

I will be Mom.

Life, in all of it's roles and forms is very sweet and this year is my proof positive that the very best things do, in fact, come to those who are willing to wait patiently.

Today I am 35 and I am infinitely blessed.

okay, mr. deli man, i see your point...

Today marks another milestone...35 weeks behind me and 35 days to go until our little guy's estimated due date! Here is the latest belly pic taken yesterday at 34 weeks, 6 days:

The rapid change makes sense when using food comparisons. This week our baby is the size of a honeydew melon!

I went into my favorite deli for lunch earlier this week and the regular guy behind the counter said, "Whoa, big change from last week!" It was said in a nice, fatherly kind of way so I didn't get offended but, it's so funny that even relative strangers are noticing now. So much happening at the moment. Feels that things are both moving too quickly and standing still at the same time. An odd sort of limbo, waiting to meet this boy!

Fourteen business days left now until my maternity leave begins and, seriously, not a day too soon. Sitting here at work and being competent is getting more and more challenging. Nothing strenuous happening at the office and I'm not presenting anymore but, there is still a lot of clock watching happening. Tick tock, tick tock...