Blessed

From the time we had our ultrasound when I was pregnant with Ethan, I started setting mementos aside in a box, thinking that one day, I would make a scrapbook style baby book for him. I continued to save things through his first birthday and then some. Each time I added something to the box, I thought that I needed to get started on his book, but I always felt like I didn't have enough time. After spending two months in constant activity to get prepared to move and then an additional few weeks trying to get settled into our new place, I feel that the time has come. I am suddenly feeling like I have more time to focus on a project like this one.

So, today, I pulled Ethan's "memory box" out of the closet, and started sorting through the items that I had saved, cutting out pictures and messages from cards that we received before and after he was born. I was doing this as he was napping of course or else I wouldn't have really made any progress. As I was remembering our journey to parenthood and looking at reminders of some of the memories, I was suddenly struck by a feeling of truly living a blessed life and a feeling of contentment. Ethan is about to turn 2 years old, and the past couple of years have certainly been a challenge for me in ways that I could have never anticipated, but today I look at my healthy, vibrant toddler and see what an intelligent and funny little individual he is. He has already shown such a desire for independence and to do things on his own and his own way, but at the same time, the first thing he wants when he gets up in the morning is his mommy. Tim tries to get up with him on Saturdays to allow me to sleep in a bit, but at this stage, it usually results in Ethan crying for mommy until he is allowed to come in our bedroom and snuggle up on the bed with me. I don't mind that much!