Mother's Day 2012

It's hard to believe this year marked my third Mother's Day.

This was the best shot we could get of the two of us together. Shelby was much more interested in playing than posing for a photo. ;) Here's a look back at our previous two Mother's Day. You can read about them {HERE}.

 Sometimes I still can't believe that I am a mom. I always knew I wanted to be a Mommy one day, and here I am living my dream. Before having Shelby, I envisioned my stay-at-home mom days would involve a house that was always clean and dinner waiting on the table when Derek walked in the door from work in the evening. Ha! I'm pretty sure that has not EVER in the twenty months since I have become a stay at home mommy. The truth is that this job is harder than I ever possibly could have imagined. My patience are worn thin on a daily basis, my hair is usually thrown up in a ponytail and make-up is a rarity, I can recite countless children's books from memory b/c I have to read them over and over and over and over again, I constantly worry if I'm making the "right" parenting decisions, the kitchen floor always has crumbs on it now matter how often I clean it....but I wouldn't have it any other way. {Okay, if I'm being totally honest, I really could do without of all the crumbs! Ha!} I love the life that Derek and I have made together, and we are so in love with our baby girl...on the good days and the bad days!

I've always known what a wonderful mother I have, but I don't think you can every truly appreciate all that your parents have done for you until you become a parent yourself. I am so thankful for the relationship I have with my mom, and I can only hope to have the same with Shelby one day.

Although I would have loved to have been able to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom, we did have a nice day here just the three of us. Derek had to work until about lunchtime, but he surprised me by coming home with Taco Bell for lunch & a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake for dessert...he certainly knows the way to my heart! :)  During Shelby's naptime, Derek napped and I read a book outside..very relaxing! After naptime, we ran a couple errands together. Then Derek brought Shelby home for dinner, bath, & bedtime while I got to do a little shopping by myself...such a nice treat! We ended the evening with Outback To Go for dinner and some time on the couch. All in all, it was a great day! I'm so thankful for a hubby who appreciates and acknowledges me not only on Mother's Day but everyday! 

Here are a few more pictures that Derek got of us girls yesterday afternoon. We had to bribe Shelby with a Dum-Dum in order to get her to stop squirming for 1.5 seconds. ;)