The Greatest Show on Earth

 Sage and I had a mommy/daughter date night and had so much fun. We went and got frozen yogurt with animal cookies and then headed to the circus. Sage absolutely loved it. We went an hour early and were right there when they opened the doors and enjoyed the free show down at the floor. I was surprised to make it to intermission, but she insisted on watching more so we stayed the entire show and she was in awe the entire time; we both were. I also love the circus. Sage's favorite were the tigers and elephants. No surprise there. She also loved the dancing. She stood up and danced around too. Love my big girl.

Being a mom

Being a mom means:

• getting a few less marshmallows in your lucky charms
• you rarely have an organized tupperware drawer
• forgetting what a long hot shower feels like since you quickly try and shower before your husband goes to work because who wants to use precious nap time to shower? or take a lukewarm shower with a baby playing at your feet...
• staying awake worrying about anything and everything while you "research" and read medical forums and other mom's blogs to learn of their experiences and then the morning can't come fast enough to call the doctor
• sometimes forgetting you have a name besides mommy because that is what you hear literally hundreds of time a day
• sacrificing much  needed new pants for a sixth coat for your girl that she "needs"... it's such a good deal and she doesn't have one in that color...
• looking like a fool to the people in the car next to you as you sing, dance and make funny faces to keep your baby happy and/or awake
• having your arm fall asleep as you reach backwards to hold your baby's hand in the backseat of the car
• having someone watch your every move and copy your every move- makes me want to be better
• loving someone more than ever thought possible
• feeling so very loved

I have only a couple days left of being a mama of one and wanted to record just a couple thoughts that I have. I love being a mama or "mommy" as Sage now calls me. I love being Sage's mommy and I know I am going to love being Harper's mommy too. I really feel so blessed. Being a parent is the most rewarding and best jobs in the world. It is difficult and frustrating at times. I have been frustrated to tears at times, but then I hear this little voice ask, "k? k? k? (am i okay?) mama?" and come wipe my tears... How could I not be okay? Sage is my sweetheart and is so patient with me. She is going to be the best big sister. Harper is pretty lucky, but I know Sage will feel pretty lucky to have Harper too! 

Pony Ride and Petting Zoo at Gardner Village

I purchased a groupon for Sage to ride the pony and go to the petting zoo at Gardner Village. We intended to go as a family, but realized it was only good during the week and they are closed when Taylor gets off work, so Sage and I went this morning. This was our third time going to Gardner Village and she was still excited to see all the pumpkins and witches. She also was excited to see the animals. However, she is hesitant to get too close. She is too apprehensive to pet them and loves to feed them, but from a distance. When it came time for her pony ride we had a little melt down. We almost were going to forgo the ride, but as soon as that pony named Blueberry started walking she was a happy girl. I wish I would have got some pictures of her riding, but she held my hand so tight the entire ride; the guy guided her around the shops to see the witches. Forget about trying to get her to look at me while I took a picture, she kept her eyes glued on the animals. She even got to sit on the alpaca named Carlota and even pet the 7 week baby named Bailey! She fed the ducks, geese, goats and sheep. It was a great morning. 

Party Elephant

Sage is a little party elephant. A party elephant who does not want to sit still for a picture! Yesterday we attended a Halloween Party with the mom's group. Sage loved running around with the kids and playing games. Today, we went to the library for their halloween program and sang halloween songs, listened to halloween stories and went trick or treating around the library with the bags they decorated with halloween stickers. She had lots of fun and it apparently wiped her out because she is taking an extra long nap this afternoon. We love halloween. 

Being a mother...

I brought Sage home early from church. She was being a terror even as Taylor and I took turns walking the halls with her. She is napping now and so I wanted to take a minute and write some thoughts I have about being a mother. I love being a mother. I am not a perfect mom. Sometimes I lose my patients and count down the minutes until the clock strikes 6 pm. Sometimes I forget to brush her teeth or forget to give her her medicine. Sometimes I tell her "no no" a little too much. But every day is a new day and every day I try to love her a little more than the day before. I am so grateful for the trust Heavenly Father has in me to be a mother to our sweet Sage girl. One of the talks today at church a woman was sharing some thoughts about her own mother who just turned 100 years old and said how her mother has always been her best friend. I want to live to at least 100 years old and hope that at that age Sage could say the same about me. Being a mother has taught me a type of love that I never knew existed. It has opened up my heart in a way that I didn't know was possible. Being a mother gives me just a little glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father must feel for us. I have also decided that Mother's Day cannot pass by without mentioning  and expressing how grateful I am for my other best friend, Taylor. I know he has his day next month, but really I could not be the mother I am without him by my side. He helps me remember what is most important on days that I try and do too much or days that I try and do anything at all and cannot get a single thing done because I have a little munchgin reaching her arms up to me and whining while I am trying to do things of no eternal importance. He reminds me that the other things can wait and lets me know how unimportant it is to him if the house is in perfect order and dinner is made, but that my number one job is to take care of and just love our girl. That job can be overwhelming at times, but I sure do love it and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Farm with the Bestie

We got these cute little duckings. They come attached and hugging and we separated them so they could each have one to take home.