One year old!

One year has passed! What??? How did that happen? It feels like yesterday I was walking around my house in labor. The beginning of last summer included a lot of waiting. Hoping today would be the day that my baby decided to join us. At last June 23,2008 he was ready. Our lives would never be the same. Everything from that point on would stop revolving around us and start to revolve around him. This picture is the quintessential moment when I think he started to feel that concept. All these people who care about him so much. Surrounding him, showering him with attention, love, and CAKE! His party was a beautiful day. A perfect celebration of his first year on this earth.

Our garden May 2009

I love hens and chicks, sedums and purple pansies!

Spring blooming native orchids and carnivorous plants full of buds!

Front yard: Our inground bog garden and lots of plants starting to grow

The beginning of the container gardening madness!

Basement grown veggies lined up, ready to be planted

Entrance to the back yard

I'm obsessed with chartreuse and purple!

another container...

blue bells and the native pinxterbloom azalea

april showers brought may flowers

sedum and pansy

The phlox coming up in our ice house container. A cool container we saved from being thrown away.

Our agave collection

A couple sunny and warm days and tons of rain and our garden is leaping from the ground! We couldn't be more excited! This is only the beginning...hope you enjoy!

Last week

Jason and Meade hanging out in the tree in Gramp's backyard, remembering all the wonderful times spent.

Jason and Meade on the Ferry

Meade sleeping in the car

Mommy helping Meade get his sea legs

This past week has been a hectic one. We did some traveling to and from Salisbury, MD (Gramp's hometown). Which includes a ferry ride and a bunch of driving. Total travel time...5 1/2 hours. Meade was such a good boy in the car. The ferry helped to break up all the driving and gave Meade an opportunity to get his sea legs. I thought I would share some pictures of our travels.

Gramps

Meade's great grandfather passed away this past week. It has been a sad, sad time for our family. We are so fortunate to have spent the time we did with him. To have learned what we learned from him. He was a great role model, a hard worker, a volunteer at hospice and a local thrift shop, an avid bird watcher, a gardener and loved more than anything to walk the family dogs. He was such a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather and great grandfather.

Meade really brightened his spirits during his final hours. We take comfort in knowing that. He lived to be 89 years old. But it still wasn't long enough. We miss you Gramps!

9 months old

Meade turned 9 months old today! It is unbelievably scary how fast time flies! He is getting to be such a big boy. I often wish I could freeze time and keep him this age forever. The future is something I look at with excitment and trepidation. I want to savor each end every moment while he is a baby. It's hard to imagine a time were he won't need me anymore. To be honest I don't want to imagine that. So now, we will just be in the moment of 9 months old...and in the grand scheme of life...it truly is only a moment.

We started off the day going to the carpet store. Not very exciting for a baby. But he did a good job waiting while I figured out what to get. He enjoyed touching all the different types of carpet. Thankfully we are in the final stages of redoing our front porch. It is going be Meade's new play area. The porch was in need of a face lift so I am happy that it has come together. I am amazed at what a coat of paint will do for a room. It is going to be a wonderful space for him to play. The carpet will make his next stages of development a little more comfortable.

Our pace has been picking up around here. With spring comes a whole different routine. Dad is back to work 6 days a week. I am back 3 days. I worked yesterday...it felt nice to get my hands dirty and to start working with plants again. Even though the ground is still cold and things are just starting to poke out of the soil. The greenhouse is super warm and full of cool plants just waiting to be potted up! http://www.calgogardens.com/ Check out our website!

Back to work!

I went back to work today... this week I am only going in one day. Next week I will start back to a part time schedule. Which will be 3 days a week. I must say I am overwhelmed. Anxiety is an emotion that comes extremely easy to me. So needless to say I have it...big time! There is so much to do in a short amount of time! One of my co-workers is not coming back this season. With me being part-time the responsibilities seem to be to much. I know everything always seems bad in the moment. I am going to try to sleep on it and hopefully will feel some relief in the morning....

On a brighter note yesterday needs to be reflected on briefly. It was a cloudy morning but we spent it at our local Le leche league meeting. My friend recently had a beautiful baby girl and we went together. It is always nice to get together with women that also nurse there children. It is a comfortable environment where I always end up learning something. The sun came out to accompany the warm weather so Meade and I hit the streets. We walked, went on the swing and just enjoyed being outside. I ended the day with a really nice yoga class. I have not been to a class since before I was pregnant. It was nice and gentle...something I really needed.

I will be teaching a couple workshops this spring at the garden center where I work. The picture I included is one thing people will be making....a bird feeder with a succulent green roof.

It was a long week!

I am finally breathing a sigh of relief! Jason was away all last week on a well deserved snowboarding trip. Thankfully he is back. I can't even begin to explain how difficult life was without him. Physically and emotionally. I have a new found respect for all the single parents out there. I opted to keep the dog home with Meade and I. I thought it would be better for him. Why subject him to a 7 hour car ride and spending the day alone while dad was riding. In the end it was better for him. However he was having a really hard time dealing with his dad gone. Jason walks him every single morning! Rain or shine. I could not do that. With a 8 month old baby who had a cold, I just couldn't bring him into the freezing temps to walk the dog. I must mention we have a lovely yard that is perfectly fine for him to run around in. But not Eli...he needed his walk. Luckily he finally realized that the yard WAS his only option. Out of pure desperation he took it. Meade and I rewarded his cooperation later in the day (when it warmed up a few degrees) with his walk. We bundled up... somehow I squeezed him into the carrier and we did it. But that walk was one of the hardest things I have done since child birth...seriously.

On Sunday our tribe got together... Jason was Jamie's substitute for the day. We had fun pushing Emmett and Meade around our town. We brought them down to the river for some pictures. They were both armed with their favorite kitchen utensils. They were super cute waving them in the air as they were pushed through the streets. It was nice to feel the warm air on our skin. I think we are all looking forward to spring.

The little things that make me happy

Our friend Bill gave us some winter aconites and snowdrops. Jason and I have been looking into getting these bulbs for some time. The thing is, we usually think about getting them then it is to late or we just forget. We read the best time to plant them is when they have started to grow. I was so excited to come home to see this pot filled with these little treasures for our garden.

Hair 4 kids

If you don't already know...my mom owns a hair cutting place for kids. Last week I took Meade there for a visit. They have cars and animals for children to sit in while they are getting their hair cut. Obviously, Meade doesn't have any hair to cut... but he had a blast sitting in the race car hamming it up for the girls that work there. It is funny when you have a day where your baby just blows you away. He is kind of shy in some situations. He takes a little while to warm up to people. However this day in particular he was having the time of his life. I thought I would share some pictures.

On the move

Well... we are finally settling in after being on the go, go, go. We had good time but are glad to be back in the comfort of our home and routines. As much as I miss the laid back lifestyle I used to have...it is even better doing new things with Meade. Lots of firsts happened this past month. Our first trip away without dad. Funny thing is Meade started saying da da while we were away. Our "tribe" hit the road to Woodstock, New York. Some definite bumps in the road. But I wouldn't trade the experience and the break from the hum dum days of winter, for anything. However my teething baby was having a hard time rolling with the punches. Poor little guy...

The tribe had some tears and tons of smiles! I am looking forward to our next adventure!

4-4-4 Meme

I was tagged!

This picture is the moment our eyes met. The moment my life changed forever... Meade Ingram he was just shy of being 2 weeks late. I waited patiently... he would arrive when he was ready. Judging from his personality the moment he entered the world...he probably could have used 2 more weeks in my belly. He is a sensitive soul. My dear friend Erin reminded me on especially trying days that the world needs more sensitive people. I couldn't agree more.

When I was at the final stages of labor a nurse asked my husband where our camera was. We were so wrapped up in labor we didn't bring a single bag into the hospital. I was able to experience most of my labor at home. Entering the hospital I was already in transition. Things were moving so fast we didn't even think about bags or cameras. After 2 hours of pushing my midwife informed us that a couple more and we would be meeting our little baby. We realized we didn't have our camera. My husband frantically ran out of the room to the car. Luckily a really sweet nurse (brought him back) and went to our car to retrieve it for us. If she had not.... we would never have been able to capture the most amazing moment in my life. Mommy and Meade meeting face to face!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Today we will be celebrating everything and everyone we love. Speaking of people we love... Jason was very fortunate to have a kind soul take a picture of him body boarding the other day! He posted it on magicseaweed.com. This shot in particular I fell in love with as soon as I saw it! Jason had a beautiful morning surfing. Meade and I couldn't be with him physically but we were with him in spirit. We were so happy he was able to get out in the water. It has been months since NJ has seen any significant swell. I admire his dedication and courage for surfing in February. As much as I enjoy the sport I wait for warmer weather. However, he needs and craves surfing and will take any season. It nourishes his mind and his soul. This particular day and moment was captured for him and us. I thought I would share the person I love doing what he loves on Valentine's Day! xoxo

Finally ready!

We are starting off this week feeling pretty good! Jason's parents came for a visit this weekend. It is always nice to have an extra set of hands around. Meade definitely enjoyed all of the attention. Jason and I were so excited...we were able to go out on Saturday night. Some friends from MD were in town so they joined us for Mongolian BBQ and a movie.

When Meade was first born I wanted nothing to do with going "out". I just wanted to stay home and be with him every second of every day. Everyone told me to take advantage of a babysitter and go out with Jason. They said it is SO important. But in my heart I thought being with my newborn baby was even more important. I have no regrets about my decision to stay with him. Looking back he needed me. I was the person who could comfort him like no other. One evening out with Jason could wait. Meade would only be that little for a blink of an eye. He cried a lot when he was a newborn. He was extremely hard to console. Maybe some points I could have used a break, but I couldn't allow myself to be apart from him. I couldn't relax until he did. I remember warm summer nights holding him and walking. 11:00 at night we would walking though the streets of our town. It seemed like the air and movement was the only cure. I was exhausted but totally possessed with helping him feel better. Looking back I don't regret holding him that much. I actually wish I could have held him more...which I am pretty sure was not possible!

I have gone out a couple times since he was born. But each time while we were in route to our destination, I almost had Jason turn the car around. I was sooo tired! My heart was breaking at the thought of him waking up and me not being there. He was to little to understand where his mommy went. I felt guilty! This weekend was different. I was ready. I could put Meade down for the night and go out! We knew that he would wake up at 11:00 and I was finally OK with someone else being there. I am not sure if it sounds crazy that it took 7 + months to get to that point. I am also not sure if that seems to soon to some people. But I can tell you, as I got ready to go, I was a little giddy. Jason thought I had been drinking! I was really looking forward our evening. I felt well rested and almost like I deserved it. It had been a long time since I felt like the person I used to be. After 7 months of working harder than I have ever worked. After giving everything that I could possibly give. I was finally ready... and it was really,really fun!

Things I love

Hi my name is Meade! Here's a list of things I love:

1. sweet potatoes

2. hanging out in my birthday suit.

3. bath time

4. being thrown in the air

5. long walks in my stroller

6. kisses on my belly

7. unexpected things

8. dancing with mommy

9. rubbing anything soft on my face

10. mom and dad's faces

11. music

12. being pushed around in my new wagon

13. doggies and kitty's (even though I think they are all scared of me!)

14. Daddy's watch

15. baby einstein

16. all of my friends

Winter days

Winter is a very special time for our family. Both Jason and I are in the horticulture industry. Therefore, we work tons of hours in the spring, summer and fall. And we basically have off in the winter time. Usually winter can feel pretty long...being an outdoorsy person I almost feel like a part of me is in hibernation. However, this year we have been given a precious gift. Our sunbeam who warms our hearts and souls on a daily basis. On most mornings when we are all together, dad puts a funny outfit on him. It's pretty funny to see what he is going to come up with. Of course, Meade has no clue what is going on and is just as happy and as silly as can be! I truly cherish each moment we all have together. Today I realized that I have about 7 weeks left until this is going to change. We will join the rat race once again. As our anticipation of spring grows so does little Meade. As excited as I am to watch him blossom like a flower. I can't help but want to freeze time. It is inevitable we will need to come out of hibernation. But for now...I am perfectly happy being in our warm and cozy little house... all together!

Where are the plants?

Our paper whites bloomed this week. Forcing bulbs is something we started doing a few years ago. It is a super fun way to enjoy watching pretty flowers grow during the winter. Gardening is such a huge part of our lives I can hardly wait to get Meade involved. The warm spring days will be even more enjoyable with him making his way around the yard. I think it will be an amazing learning experience that he won't even realize he is getting. It will just be a part of him. Jason and I wonder if when he gets older and starts to play at other kids houses if he will ask us where the plants are. That would be pretty funny....

JC

Monday we visited with our favorite people in Jersey City. A good time was had by all. Although from the picture I am wondering if Meade was happy or scared. lol! Emmett seemed to enjoy pushing him around. He was very good at it I must say! Here is a funny picture from our day that I thought I would share.

I need to focus!

It's pretty easy to get wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of living with a seven month old baby. Sometimes I need to remind myself to stop and live in the moment. My mind is racing... "OK, I need to nurse, play, go to the store and get him down for a nap, then do it all over again." Most of the time I can barely take care of what I need to do...like eat! I was glad to realize, as I was going through my pictures today that my trusty camera was living in the moment for me. I was thankful again to capture Jason and Meade having a really nice moment. This still doesn't excuse the fact that I need to be more present!
I need to take a minute to give my husband a lot more credit for what he does. It is sad to think that he is usually in my line of fire when I am feeling frustrated...for better or for worse...right? However, there are so many things that he does in which I love!!
Like, tell me I am pretty when I feel like a total hag! Sweep in at the right moment when I am about to loose it, without any questions. He is always armed with a great pep talk when needed. The most simple act... each night at 3am there is always a full glass of water in the same place in case I get thirsty. I feel very lucky.
He has really evolved from the person I met 14 yrs ago. I think the biggest change has happened in the past 7 months. I love him so much for the amazing dad and husband he has become.

Ahhh... Sunday

Sunday afternoon.... all is quiet. The baby is napping! We have been having a wonderful, winter weekend. Two yummy meals with friends, family food shopping, soup simmering on the stove. All is well...

Jason and I have been having a bit of spring fever. We couldn't be more excited about planning out our gardens. This year is the first time we will be growing seeds in our basement. It's amazing that we have never done this before! Jason built a really cool wooden structure, that holds 2 long florescent lights. This year we really need to focus on our veggie garden. In years past, the space has been used for herbs, perennials and some veggies. We are going to give the whole bed an overhaul and and start from scratch. It is going to be great eating fresh homegrown vegetables this year!

Hi

Well... I guess I will start out explaining my title. A very good friend suggested I start this blog. I was looking for something inspirational to help me begin. Being a new mom I didn't have to look very far. The beautiful new addition to our lives was upstairs, napping away. Seven month old as of yesterday. Seven pretty crazy and wonderful months. That leads me to my title...every star shines a different light, by Dr. William Sears. When I read those words it gave me a very warm feeling. Ever since Meade was born I had been referencing The Baby Book, written by Dr. Sears. When I discovered that he had also written one called the Fussy Baby Book, I was thrilled. That is when I stumbled upon those words. And it put everything that I had been feeling over the past 7 months into perspective. And it made me very happy!