Musings of a Mommy

Lexie has been photographed more in the last four days……It started with her baptism reception on Saturday. We took about a dozen pictures of Lexie and Bungee playing on the floor. She’s always a little wary of Bungee at first but then she really starts to like him. He’s so good with kids. I can’t wait until he has kids of his own. But anyway, then we had Mother’s Day on Sunday. (FYI – I got breakfast in bed. Matt made Waffle House waffles and hashbrowns. And, my present was a pedicure.) We went to a brunch at Ashley’s house and took more pictures of Lexie and Bungee, along with some others. Then, Monday, Grandmama and Gramsy came over to say goodbye (Matt’s grandmother and mother were in town) and we took pictures then. THEN, we did a charity event at Holifield where she had her pictures taken. I think she might be a model one day. She totally hammed it up for the camera. THEN, today we had a professional photographer come to a playgroup today and take pictures. Sheesh. If she wasn’t already vain, she definitely is now.

A friend had a baby Friday night. A beautiful, healthy baby girl named Hallie Kate. My mom and I went to the hospital to see her yesterday. She was so little and so cute. I heard a baby cry in one of the rooms and my body just completely was affected. I was talking to some other moms today about it. We were all talking about how we miss those cries. It’s funny. I was always a baby person. I have always loved babies but ever since having one, my body is just attuned to babies. When I hear a newborn cry, my body reacts. I think if I was still breastfeeding, my milk would let down. When I hear a child yell “mom!,” I automatically turn, even though Lexie can’t really talk yet. It’s amazing how much of a transformation your entire self goes through when you have a child. Seeing Tracie’s baby just completely reinforced the conclusion that I definitely want more children (as if there was any doubt), just not yet. I’m enjoying Lexie way too much right now.

On other news, there was a heartbreaking article in the Herald Leader on Sunday about a mother who lost her son in Iraq. It was the first time she was publicly talking about her loss and it was just so sad. (See article here) In one way, it’s so nice to see some personal reflection on this war that has just become a headline “25 more troops killed in Baghdad” or the like. Those troops are people. They are brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters. They are people. They have backgrounds, loved ones and stories. Newsweek did an article on letters from troops who were killed (the article came out in April). It was one of the best pieces of journalism I have seen. It gave a voice to a number. I’m so sick of this war.

There is a great blog to read from a girl who lives in Iraq. It’s fascinating to get her side of the story. Unfortunately, she doesn’t blog very often, only about once a month. And, in the last post, she spoke about having to leave Iraq because of the violence. I don’t know if she’ll be able to blog anymore. Regardless, I’ll post the link and add her to my links. Her blog is here.