I wish I could bottle her up . . .

I have been trying to soak up every moment I spend with Mia. She is so much fun right now and such a joy to be around. I know I will enjoy every stage of her life for different reasons but I know there will be points Iwill look back and miss her being this cute little girl. I don't want to forget all of the things she is doing right now.

I love that she has learned to give hugs and kisses and is often in the mood to dish out those kisses one after the next. I love how she wrinkles her nose and when you say the word "funny" she goes "a-ha". Sometimes she likes to walk, sometimes very briskly, and other times she wants to hold your finger and have you walk with her. I love that she loves Betsy and Lucy. Animals are so important to Roy and I and I am glad we are teaching her to appreciate them. Hearing her say dada over and over again is the best, I know it is even better for Roy :) It makes me smile that she understands to look out the front window when someone is coming or going. I love peaking into her room at night and seeing her arms wrapped around her bear.

I know I can't bottle her up , and I know I can't make time stand still. But I will focus on enjoying her and making as many memories as I can so I never forget all she did at 15 months.

Before I was a Mom . . .

A friend sent this to me and I really liked it . . .

Before I was a Mom . . .

I slept in as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I had never been puked on,

pooped on,

spit on,

chewed on,

peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests, or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew how much I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom . . .
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between Mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night just to make sure all was okay.

I had never know the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,

the wonderment of the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.