"Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder"

... and my eye beholds more beauty with each passing day. I am amazed at this little life that has been entrusted to my care. I try to savor every precious moment...drink it all in, slurp it up, stare endlessly, and fall hopelessly in love all over again every time those little arms wrap around me.
The truth of the matter is that my husband left when I was 3 months pregnant, and this may be the only baby I ever have. Maybe it's the fear of never getting to experience this again that makes me that much more aware of the swift movement of time and the transience of each moment, but I have a sneaking suspicion that many mothers, whatever their circumstances, feel this way.
I want to be thoroughly present even in the moments that are woefully unglamorous. There are times when I fail miserably at this; times when I let the uncertainties of life get in the way of enjoying what is happening before my very eyes. And, then I snap back to my senses, and get back to the business of savoring the moment. When I've read the same cardboard book 14 times in a row, or gently scolded Levi for poking me in the eye for the 500th time, or just had to clean all manner of baby ickiness off of the bathroom floor, or done the 10th load of laundry for the day, I have to remind myself that someday I will miss this. Someday, I will wish for this again.
Can you tell I'm getting sentimental over my baby becoming a toddler? Where did the time go? I've been determined to relish every single second of every single day since I got pregnant, and for the most part I've succeeded. But, my, oh, my has it gone by quickly. I can't count the number of times I've prayed that God would just let me stay in this or that moment just a little bit longer. The countless breathtakingly beautiful moments by far outweigh all of life's pains. And, if you ask me, that is a true blessing.

Y'all Are So Sweet

Thanks for all of your well wishes! I am on the mend, although a little worse for the wear. Hoping to be right as rain in a day or two! Until then I'll leave you with some Levi cuteness:

Have I mentioned before that he has an obsession with trying on gloves?
It was a little wet out. He wasn't sure what to make of it.
And, yes, he ALWAYS looks dreadfully serious when we're outside. You'd think we never went out, but, in reality, he spends ample time in the fresh air.
Hope y'all are having a fabulous week!

Sick With A Capital S

I spent the weekend at my sister's, and lucky me, my cold--that I've had for two weeks--turned ugly. I've never had a sinus headache before, and it's really getting to me....THREE DAYS, people!! I've had migraines since childhood, and this sinus headache is just as rotten stinkin' awful as a migraine. I'm going to the doctor...very soon. Wish me luck, I'm a little scared of doctors.

P.S. Thanks ladies for all your sweet comments about the state of my house. I promise it looked better in the photos than in real life. And, it literally took the whole day to clean--that's not including the studio/office/bedroom, which I've given up on for now. :)