A year...really?

I cannot believe its (almost) been a year since I last wrote, that is just ridiculous. So much for writing my thoughts down. Oh well, I really enjoy reading other blogs, so maybe I am just hanging on to this so I don't feel guilty for reading about other people's thoughts with out contributing my own, ha!

Perhaps the one thing that has been on my mind this year is motherhood. I am already a mother, but would love to have another, and another, and maybe one more...but the thoughts (hopes really) I have been dealing with are not about me, but about those who long to be mothers and its just not happening. I cannot even begin to imagine what that feels like and I feel helpless. So I have been doing the only thing I could think to do, pray. Recently I was having a conversation with my Aunt (Liz) who helped me see a different perspective. I know that these people I am praying for long to be mothers, and they would be wonderful mothers, but maybe I shouldn't just be asking God to give them a baby, but maybe to also ease their minds. Help them to find peace about the situation, so they are able to let go and just believe that He will provide the answer they are longing for. Because I do feel like that is the hardest thing to do sometimes, to not be anxious and just believe.

On another note, my sister and my cousin are pregnant! I am so happy and excited, and I just can't wait to meet the new additions to our family. My cousin is having a boy, and although my sister doesn't know yet, I am pretty sure its a girl, (or maybe I am just really hoping its a girl, although a boy would be alright with me too...as if its really up to me).

As for me, I am still trying to lose the weight from baby #1, so I can move onto baby #2...but it sure is hard. I have lost some, but not all. I am working out, drinking lots of water, but my downfall is food. I just love it. I wish I could be one of those people who eats out of necessity, like David, I wish I knew the secret.

Joseph is growing up and becoming a big boy (as he says). We are currently trying to work on the potty training business, but we are no where near there. Everyone says boys are harder so maybe I should be thankful I had a boy first. I should be a pro by the second time, right? At this rate I feel like he will be in diapers until he is at least 10. Seriously though, he is super cute and says some of the cutest things. When he tells me he loves me (even when he says it firsts) he always says "I love you too Mommy".

Well I think I am starting to ramble sooooo.....I wil try to write again next year ;).

#2

I updated my background, so I thought it might be time to update my actual blog =). I talk to my sister almost everyday and we always ask each other what's new...and usually we have nothing. But, we always have something to talk about anyway, so I am sure I have a few tidbits I could share.
Joseph started daycare #2 in June....and we absolutely love it, but more importantly Joseph loves it. He still went through a little bit of an adjustment, but it was no where near as long or as hard as the first time. I know this has a lot to do with his age, but I think it mostly has to do with the teachers and the atmosphere of the school. I will be the first to admit (well most of the time ;) that Joseph is a little bit of a mama's boy, but this school didn't make me feel bad about that, they simply took Joseph in and loved him. What more do you really want for your child at 18 months old besides to be loved and cared for? He doesn't have to be a genius...yet, lol!
The other #2 is a baby...no, I am not pregnant but the thought of baby #2 does cross my mind every other day or so, (roughly). Ideally, I would like to be pregnant this time next year. David and I want our kids to be atleast 3 years apart. Although, David would probably rather it be 4, I would rather it be 3. But, there are 2 things that have to happen before I get pregnant again. #1 I need to lose the weight from the first one and #2 I want to be a part of wedding where I am not fat, not pregnant or not 5 months post having a baby. One of my dearest friends (Rebecca) is getting married in March, and I am so thrilled to be her maid of honor!
I am currently reading a book (more of a devotional) called "Mommy Grace" and I love it. I wish I would have read this book when I first had Joseph, but better late than never. One of the hardest things (I've found..I can't speak for all mothers ;) about being a mother is dealing with guilt. Did I do enough, does he know I love him, am I taking care of my husband enough??? Anyways, you get the point. This book is really helping me with that and helping me to just let go (as much as I can). I know a lot of people who are pregnant, or trying to have a baby, or some that are already mothers....anyways, its a book you might want to try.

Horrible

I am horrible at this. Somehow I knew I would be. I just don't have the time or creativity. Most of the time I want to write, but then I tell myself if I was someone else reading my blog I would be bored out of my mind ;). Anyways, I am not going to get rid of it because maybe one day I will have something really profound to say. But, I do know I will probably not post too many pictures on here...I post pictures on facebook, myspace and snapfish I think thats enough, don't you?

We have had a lot of injuries in our household lately. David broke his hand in February and then just last week he messed up his knee. I say messed up because I am not sure of the proper terms. Luckily he does not need surgery but he can't drive or do too much for 4 weeks. Joseph is having minor surgery tomorrow (Friday) to remove some scar tissue from his face. The doctors keeps saying its minor, nothing to worry about...but apparently he does not know me because I am worried.

On happier news, we had a wonderful vacation in Georgia for a friend's Valentine day wedding and I celebrated my 30th birthday in March. Joseph is talking a lot now and is so much fun everyday. He is so much energy and its fun to watch his personality grow. He is not going to daycare anymore (long story) but we are searching again and we think we will try again in June when he is about 18 months old.

See told you it would be boring.

I knew this would happen...

I knew I would get behind on this. Sorry. I have been busy basket weaving ;) David always asks me what I am doing when he clearly knows what I am doing and how focused I am on doing it and I always answer, "I am weaving a basket"!

Anyways, lots has happened in the Tate household. We had a super fabulous Christmas, probably my favorite one in my 29 years! My parents took our family and my sister and her husband on a Disney vacation. We spent 5 days in the Lake Buena Vista Palace hotel and visited Epcot on Friday, Animal Kingdom on Saturday, and Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Animal Kingdom was my least favorite. The animals were cool, but there were so many people and the walkways are just way too small. I have a big issue with that. Especially when people are not aware of the 40 million other people around them trying to get by! Other than that it was such a fun time! Joseph had a great time too. He especially loved the Winne the Pooh park. I know he won't remember this trip, but I know I always will (and so will my family). My sister also cut and colored my hair...yay!

On the day Joseph was supposed to start daycare he got a double ear infection. Of all the luck in the world. He has never had an ear infection, never taken antibiotics and the day he is supposed to start school, he gets one. (And just today we took him back to the doctor for a recheck and they haven't completely cleared up...poor guy). So he started daycare about 2 weeks ago and what an interesting journey that has been, and probably will be for the next few months. He is going to B'Nai Israel Community Day School on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. The first day he didn't cry until after we left and he saw other kids crying, but then it just got progressively worse. Now he cries pretty much when we walk in the door and that is other thing causing "problems" - walking. Joseph IS walking but not as well as the other kids in his class, so he doesn't do so well when they are transitioning. I think this past Friday he had a good day, but he didn't go today (because of the ear infection) so now I feel like we are going to have another few rough weeks before he totally adjusts. I know that daycare is going to be a great thing. He will learn so much. But sometimes its hard not to want to keep your kid in their own little bubble. What I mean is, David and I know Joseph better than anyone else and besides from my parents, sister and david's mom he really has never been in anyone elses care, so its just hard to leave him with total strangers. I know this too will get better, but right now I am just having a hard time adjusting too =).

I think that is pretty much it for now. I will post some pictures soon too!

One!!

Joseph celebrated his 1st birthday on Saturday! I still don't think its really hit me that he is actually a year old. A year ago today was my first full day at home with Joseph. Being a mother is so much different than I ever imagined and something I love more than I ever thought I would. I was so terrified at first (okay I still am). I wanted Joseph to eat enough, sleep enough, and always be happy (what babies cry???). I know now I had way too many expectations the first few months and I wish I would have relaxed just a tad more. None the less Joseph survived his first year and he does eat enough and most of the time he sleeps enough (although that one is still a struggle) but the best part is, he is a happy baby and everyday when he smiles or laughs or gives me kisses (they are really licks) I realize how lucky we are to have him!

His birthday party was fun and crowded =). I think it was a bit much for him, but it was his first birthday so I had to go all out. He didn't really seem to like his cake, although I think that mainly had to do with his runny nose. He enjoyed opening presents and he especially loves the roller coaster Nana & Grandpa gave him. He also got a new car seat with cow print (it is super cute) from GramGram & Stan. David is supposed to install it soon. I can't wait to see him sitting forward!!

We also had a great time at the farm on Thanksgiving and at Uncle Keith's & Aunt Millie's and at Cindy & Stan's house =). Yes we went to 3 houses for Thanksgiving, but we only ate twice! Joseph especially loved the banana pudding. It was also especially nice to watch the Gators beat the Seminoles, now its Alabama's turn ;)!

There's a Wocket in My Pocket

I love Dr. Suess books...Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, Are You My Mother?, Put Me in the Zoo, and my absolute favorite, There's a Wocket in My Pocket. If you haven't read any of these you definitely should! Joseph loves to read these too by the way, although he would prefer to read Brown, Brown Bear more. Speaking of Joseph he is turning into such a boy. Forget toys. He loves to wrestle and climb...two potentially dangerous things that I am not quite used to. He is taking a few steps here and there, and then sometimes he takes about 10 at a time, until he realizes its faster to crawl ;). It is hard to believe that in 10 days he will be a year old...it sure went by fast!

Joseph the Giraffe

Joseph was a giraffe for Halloween! David was not a big fan of the costume, and Joseph will probably kill me when he is older for this costume, but I thought he was completely adorable! We went to my parent's church for their Fall Festival. Joseph won two cakes in the cake walk (which David happily ate for him =), and had fun with Nana and Grandpa!