My Last Week as a Stay-at-home-Mommy

My maternity leave has officially ended and it's back to work.....here comes the tears!!!

This past week I took a little extra time to be "in the moment" with Cannon and has I did that I sat at times just thanking God over and over for blessing me and Aaron with the opportunity to be at home with him for the past 12 weeks. I won't say it was always easy, I won't say I didn't have days where I cried both sad and happy tears, I won't say it got a little lonesome at times being at home with a newborn but I will say IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!! And not being a permanent stay at home mom is not an easy decision to make when you have your first child in your arms day after day. It wears on your heart and it messes with your mind; however, Aaron and I feel we aren't making a right or wrong decision but one that works for our family. It will mean we will have to work harder at having quality family time but we are up for the challenge. As I've asked before, please keep us in your prayers as we move into this new chapter of our lives.

Here is a small glimpse into this past week with Cannon! Enjoy!

Monday was normal....just trying to get back into our daily routine without daddy being around to keep us company. No pictures to report.

Tuesday was our first "test run" at daycare. Since I had a meeting at the office at noon, Aaron and I took Cannon into daycare for the first time around 11:00am. Here is a picture taken before we left the house. After my meeting, I went to Target to walk the isles. I wasn't in there more than 15 minutes when I had already ran into several moms pushing babies in strollers....my heart was melting!!! All I wanted to do is go get my little boy and hold him tight and never let him go again but I was good though and stayed gone until picking him back up at 5:00.

Wednesday was my day to continue trying to get Cannon to sleep on his back. Since he was a newborn, he has always slept on his tummy and that is not allowed at daycare until they can roll over. This has been one of the reasons I was so upset about daycare. I didn't want to be the mom who had the baby that wouldn't sleep because she taught him a bad (or should I say different) habit. So...here is my proof Cannon can sleep on his back even if it is only for an hour or so before he becomes aware of the trick I played on him! The next pictures are to prove that he didn't stay mad at me for long and that happy smile returned to his beautiful face!!!!

Thursday was the REAL test run for how life was going to be from now on. I had a dentist appointment at 8:00am so I woke up and pretended as if I was going into work. Cannon was dropped off at daycare around 7:50am and I continued with my day. I picked him up that afternoon around 4:30. Aaron worked late so I gave Cannon his bath without his assistance. Usually Aaron and I do bathtime together and make it a family event. I stay and clean up the bathroom while Aaron get's Cannon back into his room and dried off. Cannon and I still managed to get this task completed but we missed having daddy to help out. AND....I'm happy to report that Cannon is doing great at daycare!!

Friday was spent hanging out with my girlfriend Wendy. We went out to lunch where I had another "first" with Cannon. He decided to have a poopie diaper during the middle of eating. I didn't have the camera with me so I will spare you that event but here are some cute pictures from that day. The big (Texas size) bear was given to Cannon by his Aunt Becky. Thank You Auntie B!!!

Yeah for Saturdays!! We love when the weekend comes and we can be a family all day! The weather has been nothing but rain off and on so we didn't do much during the day. That night we went over to Larry & Karen's for dinner. Cannon got to meet a lot of new people who have been wanting to get their hands on him. This was another first for us as Cannon was not at home for the first time when it was his bedtime. He did fine and enjoyed a nice long nap before we headed home for the night. Cannon sleep again through the night and life was good!!

Sunday......one word......RAIN!!! And lots of it! So again we didn't get to enjoy anything outside or go anywhere but that didn't stop Cannon from being happy and being the light of our lives! As you can see from the picture below, Cannon loves to look at himself in the mirror while on his changing pad. I get a kick out of seeing him kick his legs and flap his arms.

Lots of Smiles and My 1st Mother's Day!

Another week of Cannon's life has flown by again but with each and everyday I see so much change in him. His little personality has started to take shape. He knows just how to light up my whole day when he awakes with that big smile of his and keeps it on his face all day!! Even a short trip to the doctor's office last Monday because I was worried (remember, I'm a new mom)about his congestion still didn't keep this little guy from being happy! What more could any mommy or parent want for their child but to grow up, be happy and do great things. This is what I wish for everyday and pray to God for Cannon's life.

Saturday was the annual Bluffton May Festival on Calhoun Street. Cannon did great even in the 90 degree heat we were having. He got to enjoy his mid-morning bottle underneath the large oak tress next to the May River down by the Church of the Cross......what a beautiful day!!!

May 10, 2009.....my very first Mother's Day. What???....Me....a mom?....Oh yeah....Cannon really is my son and I'm not dreaming......this is my life and it is GREAT!! The day couldn't have been any more perfect with the sun shining and getting to spend the day hanging out with Cannon and Aaron. Life isn't just great, it's the life I have prayed many prayers to have and it's the life that makes me whole.

If your reading this and your a mother, I hope your heart is overflowing with the joys of motherhood. As crazy as it can get being a mom, I believe there is nothing more rewarding than knowing you can love a child far deeper than you ever knew love before. And this brings me to thanking my mom for loving me for the daughter that I am and for the mother I have become because of that love! I love you mom!

Weekend Pic

This sums up our weekend here at the Wheat household.....lots of sunshine & smiles!!!

I know my family in Dallas endured a lot of rain this weekend but I hope besides that everyone had a wonderful and blessed weekend!

An Okay Ending to this Rollercoaster Week!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

After a couple rough days this week and a rough morning today, I decided Cannon and I needed to get out of the house and go shopping. Once we got back home he was in a much better mood and I was kicking myself for spending so much money. My excuse was (in case your reading this Aaron) is that Cannon starts daycare in a couple of weeks and he needed more clothes. Yes, that dreaded word....daycare. I think that has contributed to some of my sadness this week as well when we got the papers to fill out. With less than two weeks away, I know I will really have to continue to fight with my heart about this decision. Daycare is not a bad place, I am not a horrible mother and Cannon will not suffer as a child. I know these things just like I know the ocean has waves but as a new parent it is still going to be a difficult day when I return back to work and drop him off. I ask you to please keep me, Aaron and Cannon in your prayers as we get through this new chapter in our lives that is approaching.

Thank you Fasciano's for Cannon's CUTE outfit!!

Much Better!

On my last post I spoke about how Monday was shot day for Cannon and how the day seemed to turn out pretty good.

Well........then there was Tuesday and all hell broke loose after the Tylenol semi-comatose state of mind wore off. Yesterday I learned a big lesson as a new mommy and that is sometimes it takes until the next day for shots to make their presence known to a sweet baby boy. What I thought was a normal day on Tuesday went down hill very quickly when Cannon didn't sleep but 30 minutes of his first nap and then continued the trend for most of the day. Knowing I only had 15 more minutes until the doctor's office closed, I broke down and called with a screaming 2 month old in my arms. And the answer was.....more Tylenol!

I knew down in the pit of my stomach that they were going to tell me that but even I have a very hard time taking aspirin or other medication when I need it so my mind was thinking the same way for Cannon. Well, again, that's why they are the doctors and nurses and I am not.

So today is Wednesday and I had to capture that my precious and happy Cannon has rejoined the world.....and so happy he let me slip on his hat to go check the mail. What a great day it has been!

Thank you Grandma for my hat! It still fits!!

Shot Day Monday!

For most of us Monday's are a day of getting back into our daily work routine and saying goodbye to the weekend BUT on this Monday I experienced something I have never done before........being the mommy who had to see her son get shots! OUCH!!

Yep....today was Cannon's 2 month doctor's visit for shots. Overall I would say we both did pretty good with only minimal tears shed.

I took this picture before we left for the doctor's so I would know that Cannon had atleast part of his Monday Tylenol free and feeling as good as could be!!!

#1 Onesie

I'm convinced whoever invented the onesie is sitting on their own private island somewhere enjoying an umbrella drink being served to them by their personal butler!! Cannon received A LOT of onesie's to wear and at times I thought he would never be able to wear them all since he seems to be growing faster than I have days to dress him in all of them. I'm amazed at what some of them say on the front but this is one onesie that I love!

I think a women thought of this onesie and it is making this mama smile seeing her son wear it so proudly!!

Mr. Hollywood!

I Love BathTime!

On my most recent trip to my favorite store.....Target.....I found a very inexpensive new bath accessory for Cannon. I'm calling it his beach raft for the bath.

Cannon is becoming more and more a fan of bathtime. I seem to have established a routine he is comfortable with and it is actually allowing me to become more relaxed instead of wondering if a meltdown is going to occur like it did on his first bath. Well, that was over 2 months ago so time really does have a way for Cannon to forget the torture he had to endure as a newborn.

Just the sight of this photo makes me cry all over again!!

I See You!

It's 7:45 in the morning and I just captured this precious moment between Cannon and the giraffe..then.....Cannon rolled over!!!

What a wonderful day we are having already!

How Did This Happen???

Cannon is already 2 months old!!!

He has changed so much lately. New things for him now are lifting his head higher to see things happening around him and lots and lots of smiles!!

Again, I thank God for this beautiful baby boy and for the honor to be his mommy!

8 Weeks & Growing!

Saturday's are more special than ever these days.....it's the day of the week Cannon was born and today he is 8 weeks old.

I seem to always be feeding him right around the time he was born and for the past 8 Saturday's I have been telling Cannon the story of the day he was born. Hey...I have nothing better to do while sitting in a rocking chair holding the most precious baby boy....my son! While Cannon has no clue what I'm saying, I enjoy reliving that moment over again in my mind.

We have started something new now that he is growing bigger. Before getting Cannon out of his crib we turn him over and let him stretch out. We use to pick him up and take him to his changing pad to stretch out but he loves his crib and is enjoying all the new sights......and I'm loving the sight of that beautiful smile of his!!

Priceless Pillow.....

Cannon received a special gift from Brian, Susannah, Grace, Josh and Allison a couple of weeks ago....a pillow. While I had planned on using it when Cannon got older, I never knew just how priceless a pillow would become in our daily lives. We use it everyday!! It's been so helpful in feeding Cannon both at home and when we go out to restaurants. THANK YOU to the Eatz's for my pillow!! Love, Cannon

Easter 2009

This Easter was extra special.....Not only did Aaron's mom come to visit us for the second Easter in a row but because Cannon is now here to celebrate with us the resurrection of Jesus!!

Last Easter we started a tradition with Ben, Danielle, Maddie, Mike & Gina for Easter brunch. They are friends who are like us and have no family here in Bluffton so being with such special people at times like this means everything to me. Last year Maddie was just months old and slept quietly in her car seat while we ate brunch but this year she had ants in her pants to get outside and run around in the sunshine. Cannon on the other hand was the baby this year and while he didn't stay asleep in his car seat for long due to hunger pains, he was a very good baby. I'm sure next year we will see two kids running around and two sets of parents chasing after them........oh, wait.....grandma can chase and parents can eat in peace! :)

Thank you Danielle for setting up a wonderful Easter bunch again for us and for the tradition you have created for our families. To Bonnie; hopefully you will be living down south by this time next year and to Mike & Gina; thank you for brightening our lives with your friendship!

Cannon meets Grandma

Before I update you on Grandma's visit, first let me give a run-down of all the living grandparents and great-grandparents names Cannon has......the list is a little long.....

Cannon's GRANDPARENTS
Nanny & Papa = my mom & dad
Pops = my father
Grandma & Grandpa = Aaron's mom & dad

Cannon's GREAT GRANDPARENTS
Mamaw & Papaw = My mom's parents
Grandma Adams = My dad's mom
Grandma Santilli = My father's mom
Grandma Wheat = Aaron's dad's mom

Cannon is SO BLESSED with family. It is actually how I grew up too. I had my great grandfather, Poppy, until I was 15 and great grandma, Meme, until I was 22. They are people in my life who had a strong influence on who I am today. They showed me love and good values that I will never forget. I can't wait for Cannon to know and understand the meaning of grandparents. They are God's way of putting angels in our lives to always love us here on earth then to watch over us when they are in heaven.

Okay...back to Grandma's visit.....

Aaron's mom arrived last week not only to meet her newest grandson but to continue a little tradition we started last year with her visiting at Easter. From the moment she laid her hands on Cannon, my life got a little easier.

My boss has graciously let me do some work from home so that is exactly what I did when Bonnie arrived. I even went into the office a couple of times which helped me get out of the house and have a break. As every new mom can understand those times away from your child, even if it is for only a short period of time, can be very hard. I found myself continuously looking at my watch and thinking to myself, what is Cannon doing right now. I can pretty much guess what he does since he is on a good schedule and he was in very good hand but still it was hard for me to relax being away from him.

Thank you Grandma for coming to visit and for loving Cannon with all your heart!!

Cannon catching Grandma texting her friend

A Visit from Aunt Anne

My sister Anne and niece Brena came to visit Cannon for the day while Brena was on spring break. They live in Florida about 5 hours away so it was very special to us that they came to visit. The weather was horrible that day and night so we sat eating pizza and talking about the best subject of all....family.

As children, Anne and I have wonderful memories of our great-grandparents and grandparents. They spoiled us rotten (like grandparents are suppose to do) and we love to reminisce about those days now with her children and someday with Cannon. So we told Brena a lot of stories she probably will forget since she is 15 years old and totally into other things besides hearing stories about her relatives. In fact, she was texting with a friend the entire time but she did join in the conversation and seemed to take interest in the stories.

Today I ask God to please hug my Meme & Poppy for me in heaven; strengthen my Mamaw & Papaw and give them healthier days, watch over my Grandma Adams, Grandma Santilli and Grandma Wheat but most of all please continue to bless everyone in our family!!

Hanging Out with Mom On A Rainy Day!

Okay, for as long as I have lived on the east coast now I have never seen it rain for an entire day...NONSTOP! Even hurricane weather doesn't produce an all day rain storm that I have experienced. The forecast called for 100% chance of rain and that is exactly what we got! So, Cannon and I definitely took advantage of the not so good weather and hung out for the day at home.

Cannon has started wanting to be propped up after he eats so he can look around. I always try to face him towards a direction with light so it will draw his attention to it. Sometimes that light is the large tv in front of him so we have to re-adjust and get his sensitive eyes away.

Now that we are approaching the 6 week milestone, it is getting a little (I emphasis little) easier to handle Cannon. He is not that delicate newborn anymore so I feel as if he isn't going to slip through my hands as much now as when he was born. He is starting to control his head more and is getting a lot more upper body strength........my baby is growing up right in front of my eyes and it makes me sad!!!!!! He use to be this tiny baby in the center of his crib but now when I go into his room in the morning to get him up, he has scooted from one end of the crib to the other.

I really am understanding now just how true all the parents were who told me this was going to happen.....children really do grow up too fast!!

The Good, The Bad & The FUSSY!

The Good...
Waking up everyday and knowing I am Cannon's mommy! I can remember after getting married to Aaron how having the new title of wife was a little weird to me and my vocabulary. I would reference being his wife in conversations then I would have to let the word really sink into my mind. The same is happening with my newest role...mommy. Again, it's those big blue eyes of Cannon's that look at me and I have to stop and say to myself, this really is MY life!

The Bad...
Saturday nights weather!! Holy Moly!! Aaron swears he should have been a meteorologist since they were predicting a lot of rain for most of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Well....Thursday and Friday came and went with a couple of drops (so Aaron thinks they just lie) but Saturday night was tense. Severe weather and tornado warnings for hours, the sounds of thunder and flashes of lighting that had me thinking of getting into the "safe" room in the house. Since moving from Texas, I can always prepare for weather like this because whatever Dallas gets, we get it here in South Carolina days later but still this was some wild weather.

The Fussy...
Cannon's runny nose has made for a rough week last week, the weekend and so far this week. He was fussy everyday, sometimes for hours at a time which can make any new parent second guess their parenting abilities. Aaron and I would take turns trying to calm him down and sometimes we would just have to let the fussiness run it's course until Cannon couldn't take anymore and fall asleep...HARD!

To me I have been in control of things for so long in my life only for a child to enter my world to teach me that I really can't always be in control. If I was sick I would either take time out to get myself healthier or push through it. It's just not the case with Cannon. He is a newborn child and has to be attended to in ways that make me have to slow down. These times are helping me see the true value of what I thought was important in life and sitting with my fussy 5 week old son for what can be hours rocking him and calming him makes me stop in my tracks and feel grateful I have moments like these with him. Having control or seeming to be "in control" isn't always healthy! Feel better soon my precious child!

Cannon exhusted after his fussiness