A Week of Growing with family

Last weekend, Mike drove little Mama and I up to Atlanta to spend some time with Tia Liz and the cousins, one part to prepare and clean and two parts to enjoy this time and opportunity to be with her family. We were able to make it in time for Ricky's bday party and see the GC crew. It was at the party where Mariana learned officially how to put her hands in her mouth and suck on all fingers, which I believe led to her first runny nose. The next morning after Mass we headed to Tia Margaret's for wound care and playing with Isabelle. Mariana was also able to see Tia Denise and give her some laughs as she was being tickled. Mike then dropped us off at the home base and headed to Mobile.

Monday began with a doctors visit to notify me that everything was healing from the labor, post infection, and to continue with medication until completed.... then some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Fr Joseph, and Uncle Sean. Mariana got to go to the Farmers Market for the first time to get some very yummy fresh herbs, dried herbs, and other scrumptious things for dinner. I think she liked it, but we are unable to post pictures because apparently there is no picture taking in the market..... even if it is only a close up of her and I in the sling. The workers came to inspect my phone to make sure there were no photos of us in the market. Wonder what secrets they are hiding there..... besides super yummy, healthy, and reasonably priced food. :)

Wednesday, as in true large family fashion, plans changed multiple times ;) We were able to meet up with Liz for a quick greeting at the MDs. Then headed off to relieve Regina, who was keeping the A's with her family for Liz. She rushed off to the dentist leaving Mariana and I with a yard full of kids. Liz and Regina are both used to this organized chaos due to their close proximity and perfectly matched families, but I felt a bit under trained for the job.

Now that I have Mariana and the luxury of staying with her all day solo in the house, being in a "foreign" house and having two of my sisters kids running around outside was a bit nerve racking to say the least. I have finally realized how much my sisters love their children, because of having one myself. That combined with my nervous nature (ie someone is going to get hurt climbing the play set while two others are swinging like mad men below, or surely they are going to end up leaving the yard and heaven forbid one go missing!!!) Thankfully, with Mariana sleeping in the sling majority of the afternoon, we survived.... with all the kids wearing smiles. I cant tell you how many times I counted the bodies running through the yard.... 6 A's, 7, 8, 9, 10, and #11 sleeping up stairs... I hope (no baby monitor to let me know she was alive, just the assurance from a mom who knows her daughter well enough to say, "she'll stay asleep for at least 2-3 hrs." I was so glad when the Mom's made it home :)

We went on to Liz's house for the next few days to spend some much needed time hanging out and cleaning of course! ;) It's a great desire I have, when in other peoples spaces. As for our house.... I need someone like me to come by and motivate me ;) I had fun learning about their methods of cleaning and their daily activities. Henry at many times had to point out that the room was clean. "Aunt Christina, what does this room look like to you?" I would reply, "A little messy." Only to be met with a grimace and grumbling and of course... procrastinating as he would continue to clean.

We were able to celebrate MJ's bday which was a rare treat to be able to wake her up singing happy birthday. I love her cute shocked smile that she gave throughout the day: at the "pancake house" - J christophers, when opening her presents, and when her daddy meet us at dinner with two HUGE balloons.

There was so much learning going on for me. This new vocation of Motherhood has begun to peel the scabs off my eyes and really learn to appreciate all that mothers do. I realize that I am always searching for more, something that God hasn't given me at this moment. Spending time looking into the future at things that may come. Instead, I need to begin to take each moment and live each moment to enjoy more of the present.... this present that He has given me. And right now, as I type, a sweet angel is asleep on my lap (actually on the boppy on my lap- thanks Liz) and I need to go be fully present with her. Because as the past few months have flown by.... so will this moment. If I don't fully enjoy it, I will be forever wishing I had.

*Papi is up late working hard as usual on his Masters... I am so proud of his efforts!!!



We'll end with this photo of yet another birthday we were able to celebrate while in town... Tia Cristina! pictured here with her boys: husband Pete, Ricky, and Paul; and Mariana joining in to have some brownies ;)
Thanks to all the friends we were able to see and family we could spend time with. We love and miss you all!