Learning & Growing

Kennedy is 14 months old today!  It's so hard to believe that it's been that long since I held her for the first time.  It does not seem like that long ago that I was neglecting my housework to let the little baby snuggle on my chest.  Now she is growing more and more every day.  She's learning and discovering new things on a daily basis.  But she's not the only one who has done a lot of learning and growing over the past 14 months.  When I think back about what life used to be like, and where it is now, it's hard to imagine how much I've changed as a person since becoming a mother.  Part of it is just becoming a mom.  Having someone else to take responsibility for and to care for.  And part of it comes along with the unexpected.  Kennedy has taught me so much about life and living.  We truly celebrate the little things in life, and we REALLY celebrate the big things.  Things that used to stress me to no end, don't seem like such a big deal anymore.  When you've been faced with what we have over the past 14 months, you start to trust that everything really does work out for the best.  You learn not to take the simple things in life for granted.  Kennedy's open heart surgery taught us a lot.  It put life into perspective.  A lot of the things that used to be a big deal, aren't any more.  You realize that no matter how bad things may seem, someone always has it harder.  Watching my 4.5 month old go through open heart surgery seemed like the end of the world to me on July 5th.  But after a few days in the CVICU I realized that we were one of the lucky ones. 

Don't get me wrong, I still get stressed, and I still get frustrated and angry, especially when it comes to dealing with things like Early Intervention.  But in the grand scheme of things, it's a lot easier for me to sit back and enjoy the things that I have, and not worry so much about what I don't have, what needs to be done, or what could happen.  I've learned not to worry about the things you can't control.  Somehow things have a way of working out.  Had you asked me how I felt 14 months ago, I never would have responded in this way.  Kennedy, you've made me a better person in more ways than you could ever know.  Mommy and daddy love you more than anything and we are so incredibly proud of you.

On that note, I've got some really cute photos to share.  My memory card hasn't made it out of my computer, so here's just a few from my cell phone to hold you over.
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Yes, I'm a pool bum, and I know it.

Mom...those people dancing on the grass look funny.

It's kinda windy out here.  Can't you fix that?  Please?

I really want fake grass at home, even if it hurts my knees when I crawl.  Can we talk to daddy? 

No mom, I don't care if it is 11pm, I'm not ready for bed.