Pinterest vs. Practical and other happenings

So, I totally thought I wouldn't be one of those moms. You know, the kind that need the support of a parent/baby group to feel confident as a parent. And, while I don't NEED the support of a group, I went to one (mostly just to have a good reason to get out of the house without spending money!) last week for the first time and I must say that it was really awesome. I didn't realize how many subtle questions have been lurking around in the depths of my mind until I heard other moms ask them and the most wonderful teacher group leader answered them. I was assured that it is ok that Micah does not sleep in his own bed yet. The leader's bottom line which resonated with each question's answer was basically that you go with the needs of your baby and that every baby is different. Not that I was judging the other moms (and dads...there were two), but my take away from the class was that we are doing really well. Micah is doing well. Phil and I are doing well. It also really sank in at how lucky we are to have had so much help and love from family and friends. One mom couldn't contain her tears and frustration with her babies nonstop crying and because of the physical pain she still feels while breast feeding. It was so awesome to see a room full of people there for a total stranger. She was given kleenex, the leader borrowed her baby to give her a break (and in the process showed us all some pretty awesome techniques to temporarily quiet a crying and inconsolable baby), and a few other moms gave said mom a hug. The class is geared for babies 0-3 months. Usually the class has a formal topic and then an open Q & A session, but this time is was Halloween so it was just a Q & A, which as I said before was perfectly wonderful. So, I realized that yes, even I enjoyed a cheesy parent/baby support group and I cannot wait for the next one!

Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen!? Micah is the baby at the bottom left not in costume, since I'm that mom that forgot!

For Micah's first Halloween, we had Krista, Peter, Isaac, and Anna over with every intention to walk the neighborhood with trick-or-treaters. Well, it was raining and the babies were having so much fun inside the house, and our pizza was so yummy....needless to say, we didn't even leave the house. Last year we only had one or two groups of trick or treaters (our neighborhood is popular for trick or treating, just not on our block), so I didn't go out and get special candy. Luckily I had enough individually wrapped candy for the one group of six or seven middle schoolers who did ring our bell. I am very excited for when Micah is older and we can take him around, but it sure was nice not having to go out trekking in the downpour!

Isaac the chicken was having fun with Anna's Harry Potter wand. Micah was one sleepy Pumpkin!

Over the weekend was Micah's Sip and See. I had never been to one before, so I was very excited to host one. We invited friends and neighbors to come and see our little guy for the first time. It was such a nice occasion and Micah even woke up for a bit to visit with his guests. It was such a fun and random medley of people in our lives and the event reiterated how lucky we all are. Someone said that a friend told them that tea was usually served as the sip part of a Sip and See. I laughed since apparently I never got that message and our Sip and See was full of champagne, wine, and beer! I also got an idea from pinterest to do a Popcorn Bar where people could add their own seasonings. I had every intention to make the party picture perfect and beautiful just like so many photos you see on Pinterest, yet practicality interrupts my intentions each time I put on shindigs like this one. It boils down to not wanting to spend money on the look of things, not having the time to go shopping to make everything match, and not being a do-it-yourselfer/crafty person to pull it off. To illustrate, find the following photos:

The images on the left are from Pinterest. The images on the right are from our party.

So fun to chat with new and old friends, family, and neighbors!

Hard to believe that Micah is already 6 weeks old. That also means that I got to get checked out by my OB and she gave me the thumbs up for a healing incision. Micah and I took our first run/walk with the stroller the very next day as light exercise now has a green light. It felt so good even after about ten months with no exercise! I'm also amazed at how quickly Micah is changing. He is making new and louder noises when he "talks". He is staying awake for longer periods during the day and has the biggest widest stare, which is often directed on me. He smiles a lot more. He doesn't seem to want a pacifier or even his fingers (although right after I mentioned that to my parents today during a face time conversation, I found his thumb in his mouth while he was sleeping. It didn't last long though, so I still stick with him not being a big sucker!). Yesterday during one of my many staring/heart melting sessions, it dawned on me that my parents (the same ones that can embarrass and irritate me) actually probably looked at me in the exact my-love-is-so-strong-I-can't-even-describe-it kind of way when I was a baby. I am always thankful for my parents, but being a parent myself has made me respect them in an entirely different way...and I know that I haven't even gotten to the hard part yet!

*As you may have noticed, I am in the process of redesigning the blog. I am hoping to write more frequently with a different theme each day. Before I do so, I am hoping to hear honest feedback from those of you who follow the blog. What is something that you enjoy about the blog? What is something that you are not too fond of? I would love to have  more interaction with my readers. If writing comments on blogger is intimidating or difficult, please let me know on facebook or in an email. Thanks!