Happy Seven Months!

My baby will be seven months old in a few days! I honestly can't believe it.
It's been a huge month for us! Aside from the move, Mase learns something new everyday.
He is getting his top left tooth and right fang so the cruel cycle of teething is beginning again! Ugh.
Mason is also beginning to get a little bit of separation anxiety. At first I loved it! It was so fun knowing Mase loved Riley and I enough to notice if we weren't right next to him. Now however, I am trying to unpack our house and Mase just wants to snuggle. I'm sure it's partially because of the discomfort of his new teeth, so I'm happy to watch Baby Songs and tickle his chubby legs. We have three years to unpack!
I love him so much and I'm so thankful to be his Mama!

He hates:
The vacuum
When mom or dad are not in sight
The car. Still.
Getting dressed

But he loves:
Talking... " Bababababa" "Mamamama"
Dinosaur Train
Riding in the stroller
Bronx
Watching Baby Songs
Taking a bath
Spitting
Touching faces

Mother's Intuition

Recently, a very dear friend of mine shared the fantastic news with me and she and her sweet husband are expecting their first little baby. She mentioned that she would be needing advice, and I thought back to that Sunday morning when Riley and I found out Mason would be joining our family, and the months leading up to his birth. And the 7 months since, really. It occurred to me that I have absolutely no advice to give. None.
The truth of it is, I have no idea what I am doing.
Now, I don't mean that to sound like a "poor me" statement. I am confident that when Mason cries, I can calm him. I can tell when he is in pain from teething, or fussing because he is hungry. I know when he has a tummy ache. I know peaches give him that tummy ache. I can tell if he is stirring and about to wake up, or just shifting for more comfort. I am a good mom. I just haven't the slightest idea what I am doing.
I find myself constantly asking other mothers, especially my own, for tips or input on parenting. Should he eat this? What is this rash? Does he feel warm to you? What detergent do you use? It's never ending.
Most recently my inquiry was about whether or not it is safe to put pillows in Mason's crib with him. I loved one of the responses I got. "Go with your gut, AKA: The Spirit."
Why has that thought never occurred to me? We hear phrases all the time about "a mother's intuition" but I never put that and the Holy Ghost together. Yet it makes perfect sense. Of course Heavenly Father would send His Spirit to guide us as mothers, or fathers for that matter. We are his sons and daughters, raising His precious little ones. Regardless of religion, or education, or whatever situation we are in, I believe parents are blessed to hear the promptings. He knew that in such a sacred calling, we would need to be close by.
My friend mentioned the peace she felt already as a brand spanking (not literally, im sure she would never spank her child) new mom. And she hit the nail right on the head. I feel like my brain (and my house...) is in constant chaos. Yet I still feel such a peace. Riley and I just do the best we can as parents. Sometimes we are right. Sometimes we are wrong. Like squeezing Mason into size three diapers? Probably wrong. Washing his poop covered clothes with our bedding? Wrong. For sure. But I am peaceful knowing Mason knows his mom and dad love him. I am confident that he is aware that we can meet his needs. And that peace comes because of the Spirit.
Just something to think about...
PS: We moved to Washington. There is a loooooong post coming soon.
Xoxo

Co-Dependent.

I was chatting with a Navy Wife the other night about how hard it is to be away from our husbands. Not in the "poor me" sense, just in the "i want to be with him the time"sense. Her husband has been deployed several times for no less than 9 months at a time. Riley is gone exactly half the time, and home the other half. One would think that in the two years we have been in the Coast Guard having spent only 50% of the nights and days together, we would get used to being apart. But we haven't. Riley and I are co-dependent.
As I told this woman about the co-dependence, she said something that struck me pretty hard. "Aren't we lucky to have someone to need that much?"
At first I thought "Look, lady. I am independent. I am strong. I am NOT needy." Then I realized, yes I am. I need Riley. And he needs me. And I love it.
We cry when we have to say goodbye at the airport, every time. We avoid doing anything new, or seeing any new movie, or trying any new restaurants without the other, Because its just more fun together. I forget to fill my gas tank, and Riley knows that, so he does it for me. I know Riley hates green beans, so I don't put any on his plate. Riley brushes my hair for me, because he knows most of the time I get a kinked neck if I do it myself. It's taken nearly four years, but Riley really is like my right arm. Doing things without him never goes well.
We spend either two or five days and nights apart per week. And when he is gone I miss him more than I can describe. Especially when my hair is wet and snarly. But I love how much we need each other.
I love our routine.
I am thankful that we love each other more every day.
And I hate being away from him.
Co-dependence at it finest. For real.
So Riley Stewart, drive a little faster eh? I haven't seen you for almost three days. Things are going to get ugly.
XOXO