World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week was August 1st - 7th. In honor of this week, and as suggested by my husband, I am going to share some of my thoughts on nursing.

• As you probably know, breastfeeding had a rocky start for me and for Sprout. When my little guy was an itty-bitty guy, he probably got just as much formula as he did breast milk. We had latching problems, supply issues, and a lack of confidence. However, fortunately for us, the hospital that we delivered at has lactation consultants. I did not know if our case could be helped or not, but I made an appointment because I really wanted to nurse my baby.



• When Sprout was a little over 2 weeks of age, we had our first appointment. Carla was the lactation consultant who helped us. She weighed Sprout before he nursed, helped both of us learn what we were doing, and weighed him afterwards. Next, she helped us learn how to pump. She spent time encouraging us, teaching us, and letting us know that yes, we could do this. Lastly, she scheduled us for another appointment. I came ready to pay for the services that I received. I could not believe that they were free! What an amazing service to me and to our community.



• We have amazing friends who gave us a pump and vitamins and so much more! Can you believe it?!



• Fortunately, I was able to increase my milk supply. At the same time, Sprout needed less and less formula. My child went from fighting nursing sessions to wanting to do nothing else. Yes, my little guy decided that he would like to nurse ... constantly. Although I enjoyed our time together, I felt like I could get nothing done. I was a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of constant nursing for months to come and I started to doubt my ability to continue. And then, one day, my baby decided that he would put himself on a schedule ... just like that! All of the sudden, we would nurse and then we would do other things for a couple of hours. And Sprout was happy and I was ecstatic and Andrew was amazed at how easy everything had become.



• This brings me to the next point ... the support group. The lactation consultants at the hospital offer a free monthly breastfeeding support group. Here, they weigh your baby before and after feedings. I always have a million questions that I can ask. There are other mothers that have had similar obstacles and they have been amazing source of help and encouragement as well. Lastly, the support group has helped me make and keep monthly goals. During tougher times, I just told myself "You can do this until the next meeting. You can. You can. You can." And, so far, I have. I have. I have.



• Now, here we are, and things have become second nature to us. I am so thankful to the professionals, friends, and family members that have helped us. Our current plan is to continue to breastfeed as long as mommy and baby are happy to do so. :)

A True Story

Once upon a time, there was a mommy who loved her baby very much. She wanted to give him everything that he would ever need ... because in just four short months, he had already given her more than she could have ever asked for. The end.

Cookies and More

Andrew is out of town ... and Sprout and I decided that we would rather not have dinner alone. Where we would go was not even a question in our minds -- we would go to Grammy and Poppy's, of course! Every meal I have ever had there has been absolutely wonderful. Sometimes you just need something that is 100% homemade.



While Debbie was chopping the cabbage for the coleslaw, I spotted something with my eye. There, right in front of me, was a bag of milk chocolate chips. I walked up to the pantry closet, grabbed the bag and said, "Me and Richard were thinking that it might be nice to have some chocolate chip cookies." Even though Richard had not told me that, I knew that he would agree because the two of us share some brain cells. Debbie went on with her cooking -- she is used to this type of behavior. "Probably if make some cookies today, Richard and I would not ask again for awhile," I said nonchalantly. "I really have a hankering for some chocolate chip cookies," Richard agreed. "Well, if you want them, you can make them. Here is a recipe," Debbie responded. Yes! Today was going to end perfectly. Dinner, cookies, bedtime.



After we were finished with dinner, it was time to make the cookies. Debbie helped me get everything out first. As we pulled out the flour, baking powder, coconut, and brown sugar, I smiled at the collection of jars and bowls that held the ingredients. One day, when I keep staples in my house, I am going to keep them eclectic containers as well. I don't want to go out and buy jars, rather I want each container to have a story behind it. By doing that, every time I get my flour out, I will have a memory to go with it.



As I measured and mixed, I used my Julia Childs voice and pretended that I was filming a cooking show. I even put some flour on my cheek for an extra effect. Although I was having a lot of fun, I wished that Andrew was there with me. He would have been my cousin from France who would have voiced random cooking tips throughout my tutorial. All in all, I did a great job (Debbie helped to ensure that). I looked authentic, minus the mess I made on the counter. I can never keep a clean working area while cooking ... I try, but it just doesn't work out for me. However, despite the spilled flour, the end product was wonderful. The cookies were a success.

It's going to be so fun to bake cookies with Sprout one day. He's going to love cracking eggs and mixing batter and licking spoons. And yes, I am going to let him lick the spoon despite my tendency to be a bit of a neurotic mommy. We'll use cookbooks, family recipes, and we'll even invent our own culinary creations. We'll store our cookies in oval shaped tin cans that are housed on our bookshelf. That way, right before bedtime, we can grab a story and a cookie to ensure sweet dreams.

Island Cookies

1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour 1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 tsp. of baking powder 1 egg

1/2 tsp. of baking soda 1 3/4 cups of milk chocolate chips

1/2 tsp. of salt 1 cup of flaked coconut

1 1/2 sticks of softened butter 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar



Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, coconut, and nuts. Drop by slightly rounded tablespoon onto greased baking sheets.



Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 11 minutes (we baked them for 8) or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen cookies.



Note: This is a Nestle Toll House recipe :-) Thanks guys and good job!

Sprout's Birth Story

Dear Sprout,

Today you are four months old. You love to eat, you love to talk, and you love to stand up (with help) on your bowed legs. You are a big fan of bath tubs but you are not quite sure about showers. Your smile lights up my world. In the four months that you have been here, you have irreversibly changed my life. Here is the story of the day that I held you in my arms for the very first time.

April 22 was a Thursday ... it was the longest day of my life. You, my little friend, decided that you did not want to born any time soon. Your daddy and I were told to be at the hospital by 6:00 p.m. sharp so that I could be induced. I cannot begin to tell how agonizingly patient I had to be that day. We had our suitcases packed for over a week ... and with each passing hour, I added more things to our already stuffed bags. What can I say-- I wanted to be productive. Finally, the time came to take the 20 minute car ride that would change life as we knew it. All of our necessities (and last minute nonessential additions) were placed into my Honda Accord. Needless to say, my sedan was full to the brim. Honestly, it looked like Daddy and I were moving to California.

When we arrived at the hospital, we called your Aunt Tammy. She was already there visiting her Uncle Benny. While I was confined to a bed with an IV in one arm and a blood pressure cuff on the other arm, Aunt Tammy and Daddy brought up our belongings. Daddy gave me a teddy bear that he had as a boy -- I wanted to sleep with it so I would not feel quite as alone in my bed (Dad had to sleep on a couch). I put your little carved cross on the table next to me. The doctor gave me some medicine at 8:00 p.m. Finally, it was time to sleep. However, I could not help staying awake the entire night.

At 6:00 the next morning, I was given a pitocin drip. That stuff is a bit scary to me ... but it certainly did its job! As the amount of medicine gradually increased, my contractions became stronger and more regular. I was a little uncomfortable, but I was okay. When I was between 2 and 3 cm dilated, my water broke and intense pain took its place. I had planned on getting an epidural at 5 cm --but I immediately changed my mind. Let me tell you, hooray for epidurals! From that point on, my labor progressed at a much faster pace. By 9:00 p.m., it was time to push. Poor you got stuck and mama had to work extra hard. A crowd of friends and family members were gathered outside our door, listening intently for your cry. Daddy, a nurse, and a doctor (who looked remarkably like Steve Carrel) were helping me while Dona was seated on the other side of the room, praying us through the entire process. Finally, I heard the words, "Okay, stop pushing. We're going to have a baby!"

The whole thing was surreal. There I was, looking around the room as the bed was broken down. To my left, a nurse was getting ready for you at the baby warmer. In front of me, there was a table stocked full of all kinds of different baby-delivery utensils. This was really happening. I was really going to have a baby. "Okay, one big push. Good. Stop." The doctor turned your head around and suctioned out your mouth and nose. Your daddy watched in amazement as you looked intently around at the outside world for the first time. "Good. Now two little pushes. One. Two. ... Congratulations!" You cried softly. For a second, you were placed on my chest. My baby. Then you were quickly whisked away to the baby warmer. The doctor was working on me as a nurse was working on you. I was looking towards you and then you started crying that loud, healthy baby cry. Relief. I had a baby and he was doing great. I had you.

I remember when they gave you to me. The moment I had dreamed about for my whole life was finally upon me. I was a mommy holding my baby. I looked at you and you stared into my eyes. You knew exactly who I was. Daddy was by our side. There we were ... a real family! Our loved ones entered the room. Smiling faces, cameras, and i-phones surrounded us. We were a part of a crowd and we were separate from the crowd at the same time. You blended two families together and you created a new one as well. To those in room 202, you were son, grandson, great-grandson, nephew, and little friend. You gave each one of us a new title and a new purpose in life.

On April 23, 2010, at 11:45 p.m., God blessed us all with you.

Love always,

Mommy

I Love It

The baby is fast asleep. He smiles when he sleeps. I love it.

Nursing has been wonderful. There have been several days where I have not had to supplement. For the first time, it feels absolutely natural to me. I love it.

The cat is laying down with all four paws curled underneath her fat body. She is a "kitty loaf." I love it.

I wrote a little story. I am writing once more. I love it.

It is night. Crickets are chirping. Moths are flying in front of the outside lights. I love it.

Andrew is playing his guitar. He and Hayden are working on songs. I can feel Andrew's smile. I love it.

Today is Friday

One Friday later, both of us are still unemployed. Andrew has been helping his dad with a few projects. I have been taking care of baby. Both of us have sought job opportunities ... to no avail. However, this typical Nervous Nellie (aka me) is unusually calm despite the circumstances. We have been praying that God will open and shut doors and that He will guide us through this unfamiliar territory. This week, many of the solutions that I have come up with in my head have become null and void -- but it's okay! I trust Him way more than I trust myself.

Honestly, I never imagined that I would be in the situation that I am currently in. For one thing, I was a professional student throughout my academic career. During that time, I had imagined myself to be a powerful business woman who could take on the world -- and who would always have a paying job. Now, here I am ... my life is so much different than I had envisioned. Thank you, God! I know that many women would say the same thing, but I truly believe that I have the very best husband in the whole entire world. As a result of our love, we have the most amazing baby whom we have the most incredible adoration for. I would have thought that enduring this set of circumstances so early in our marriage would have caused Andrew and I a great deal of stress -- quite the contrary. This week has been wonderful. I believe that it has proved to both of us that we do trust our Father and we will always absolutely love each other ... for better or for worse ... for richer or for poorer ... I am so glad that God is writing the story of our lives and not me. He has done a much more grander job than I ever would have.

Trust

Yesterday I was sitting on my bed with Sprout in my arms. Suddenly, Shimmer jumped off of the blue arm chair and ran to the door. She did not bark, so I immediately knew that a friend was at the door. When I heard the door open, I smiled at that familiar voice that was calling my name. Andrew was home just in time for lunch. My sweet husband has been known to surprise me like this. He entered the room. "You came home for lunch," I said. "No." "You're here to surprise me," I answered back. "Nope." "You were laid off." "Yep." After ten years of working at a local company, Andrew was given a pink slip.

Because of our economy's current state, I knew that this was a possibility. However, for some reason I think that we were both a bit shocked. We looked at each other. A few months earlier, I had given up my job to stay home with Sprout. All of the sudden, there we were in our little house with a little baby -- two homeowners, two parents, no job.

To be quite honest, I am not completely devastated by this news. For one thing, this is an opportunity for Andrew. Although he enjoyed ten successful years at his job, he put other interests "on the side burner," so to speak. Now he can pursue the things that he was too busy to dedicate himself to before. He can turn a passion into a profession. This may be just what he needed.

As for me, I may have to go to work. Part time, half time, full time ... I don't know. I am not sure what jobs are available at this point. I am fine with working and I am a people-person who likes to have opportunities to talk. The only thing that concerns me is my little baby. How I have loved these months with him. Although he is very young, I have raised him with my personal beliefs in mind. I read to him, I sing to him, and I hold him when he cries. If he needs his mama to hold him nonstop for hours, then that is what I do. My heart keeps telling me that my baby needs me. However, I do know that Sprout has a daddy and grandparents who love him just as much as I do. I know that they will give him what he needs, just like I would. Maybe I'll be sad, but he'll be just fine. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And sometimes you have to trust in Someone bigger than yourself ... He will work everything out for the best, I just know He will...

So here we are, a brand new family on a brand new journey. We trust one another and we put our ultimate trust in God. Our lives have been fast paced with new things around every bend. And you know what? We have been blessed by every new adventure that has been placed in our path.

A Few Random Things

1. This morning, there was a bug in this very house. It was not just any bug -- it was a prehistoric bug left over from the dinosaur era! Yes, it kind of reminded me of the Stegosaurus with its rough, armor looking exoskeleton. You may be wondering how I spotted this bug. Well, I saw our CAT (Stubby) staring at something ... and it was the bug. I was hoping she would pounce on that thing like any other feline would do, but she was content just to stare. Therefore, I had to pick it up with a paper towel and relocate it to the front yard. Thank you so much, Stubby, for all of your help.
2. Lately I have noticed that when I buckle Sprout into his car seat, I end up just sitting next to him for a minute or two. And we talk to each other or we just smile. It doesn't matter if I am running late or that I see him all day long, car seat time has become a special little moment for us.
3. Today at lunch, I did not have too much time to spare. Therefore, I ate an avocado and a banana. It was delicious and it filled me up. I felt good about myself because I made a healthy life choice! I think I will go to the store and buy more so I can repeat this process tomorrow.
4. My mother-in-law, Debbie, said I was a fantastic mom. In other words, she gave me a confidence boost just when I needed it. I need to remember to encourage others on a regular basis. You never know when a kind word will give someone the extra pep in their step!
5. I am working on spreading out nursing sessions. I know it has one been a day and a half, but things are going well. :-) We're still learning!
6. Debbie found a website called "Tipnut" and it tells you how to make EVERYTHING! I am going to try some things out and let you know how it goes! Hopefully, it will help us with our budget ... a very important thing since I am staying home this year.

Things for Me and You to Do

Dear Sprout,

Right now, you are an itty-bitty baby. At this point, you need Mommy and Daddy to do just about everything for you -- and do not despair, we love taking care of our sweet boy! And guess what! You can do new things every single day! As a family, we are going to do so many wonderful things together in the days to come. Among those things are five seemingly impossible feats. But remember, you are a Shook! And we Shooks can do just about anything when we work together! Here is "the list":

1. We are going to make marshmallows. For the vast majority of my life, I believed that you could only purchase marshmallows from your local grocery store. I thought that to make these fluffy sweets, some special engineered machine was absolutely necessary. However, I was wrong! Thank goodness! Yes, we are going to make our very own marshmallows. Do you know what the very best part of making our own marshmallows is? Homemade marshmallows can only lead to one thing ... the best S'mores ever!

2. We are going light up a dark room with no batteries, electricity, or candles. Although I am not a fan of bugs in general, I am a HUGE fan of fireflies. I just think that they are so wonderful. During the day, they look like plain brown bugs. However, they are really extraordinary! They give out such a beautiful yellow glow. In fact, just one little firefly can easily pierce through darkness. Imagine what a whole jar of fireflies could do! Yes, we are going to light a room with a Ball canning jar full of these amazing little creatures. And, of course, we are going to let them go when we are done. :-)

Disclaimer: The participants shall light up a rather small room.

3. We are going to save our Christmas tree! Last year, your daddy and I went to a Christmas tree farm and picked out the most lovely tree that you have ever seen. We showed the farmer which tree we wanted and then a big horse with a sled pulled the freshly cut pine to the entrance. We are going to get our tree from that place every year ... and we're going to bring lots of carrots with us! I love Christmas trees very much --but I am always a little sad when it's time to lay them by a curbside. I didn't know there was any other option until your very own uncle saved the day! He told us you can re-root your tree. In fact, he knows someone who actually did just that! Don't you think it would be great if we did that, too? Yes sir, we are going to re-root a tree (or 2 or 3 or 4) right in our front yard. At first, our neighbors will probably think we're a bit confused ... but then they'll see that our plan will work! Who knows ... maybe we'll inspire them to do the same and our little street will forever be lined with Christmas trees.

4. We are going to give away dozens of eggs using just one egg. As you know, we have chickens. We love those "bock-bockings," don't we? Our first chicken, June, was purchased as a little chick and spent her first few weeks in my second grade classroom. My initial plan was to give her back to our friends who own the feed store, but I fell in love with her so she resides here with us. She has four chicken siblings that we purchased as teenagers and adults. Do you know what we have never done? We have not hatched a chicken from an egg yet. When you are older, we are going to do just that. We are going to get some Ameraucana chicken eggs (they come in pretty pink and blue colors) and we are going to put them in an incubator and watch little babies peck their way through eggshells. Afterwards, you are going to pick out your very own chicken. I bet you will be so excited to see her lay pastel-colored eggs one day. Together, we will decorate egg cartons with paint and ribbons and glitter. Then we will fill the cartons with your special eggs. Our church has a ministry that gives away garden goods to folks who need them. Each month we will give them beautiful boxes of Easter eggs to share with others.

5. See things that cannot be seen. When I was growing up in Florida, I lived fairly close to a hospital. Sadly, some people would tease the hospital's inhabitants and call them names. One morning, Dad drove my sister Nikki and I passed the place on our way to breakfast. He told us to never make fun of the people who lived there. Dad explained that we don't know why patients entered the hospital's doors. Perhaps someone had lost his whole family and as a result had lost his mind as well. Although I was very young at the time, that moment proved to be one of those parent-child times that I will never forget. Sprout, it is easy to give people labels -- nice, mean, dumb, smart, pretty, ugly... Let's try not to do that. Take time to understand someone and "walk around in his shoes." And if you meet someone who is particularly difficult, care about that person anyway. Remember, if you are in a situation where you think you cannot open your heart, pray that God will love that person through you and He will.

Yes, my little man, there are so many things that we are going to do. This list is but a sample of what we have in store! Feel free to add to our "unlikely" compilation. Like the fabled character Don Quixote, always dare to dream the impossible dream!

Love always,

Mommy

I Don't Know

Let me preface this by saying that I think breastfeeding is wonderful. It has countless health benefits and it also is a source of bonding for mom and baby. I, like many mothers, was gung-ho on nursing my little man for his first year of life. Now, I honestly do not know if I will make it to the end of this month... This is a very, very sad thing for me.

After a baby is born, it is normal for him to lose up to 10% of his body weight. However, he should be back to his birth weight by two weeks of age. This was not the case for poor little Sprout. When I took him to his two week appointment and I saw that he was not where he was supposed to be, my heart sank. I was so sad that I was not making enough milk for my little baby. I was reluctant to supplement, but I knew that Sprout needed adequate nutrition to grow and I did not want him to be hungry at all. From the beginning of my pregnancy I promised him that I would do my best to give him everything that he needed and I was saddened that I could not completely provide for him in this area.

A few days after I started supplementing, I went to see a lactation consultant ... and it is because of her that I have been able to nurse this long. While there, I discovered that Sprout was not latching on correctly. The consultant showed me how to help him latch on like he should -- and I was amazed at the lack of pain that I felt! She also told me how I could pump to increase my supply. Therefore, for approximately six weeks I nursed, pumped, and supplemented (every 2 to 3 hours). Eventually, my milk supply increased. Sprout became very good at nursing and I stopped pumping ... and my milk supply increased even more! In fact there were days when I could give my little guy two ounces of formula or less. I was very encouraged and very determined to persevere.

You may be wondering what the problem is at this point. Well, I nurse continuously. And though I love being close to my child, there are days when we don't make it an hour and a half without nursing. I know that he is growing like he should -- he has been steadily progressing at the fiftieth percentile. What I think is happening is that he naps while he nurses and I am his human pacifier ... and then he wakes up and is hungry ... and then he nurses for real ... and the cycle continues until he falls asleep for the night.

Babies at Sprout's age should be able to get what they need in a half an hour. However, I am afraid to cut him off at that point. What if he didn't get what he needed? What if he was napping-nursing? Also, some babies nurse for comfort and security just as much as they do for nutrition; if that is the case, I certainly want to be there for him. On the other hand, by nursing him so extensively, am I taking away from other activities that I should be doing with him? Is he nursing so often because he needs more ... would it be better for me to give him formula to satisfy his little tummy in a more timely manner? I want to do what is right for him.

One answer to this dilemma would be to supplement him more. However, breast milk is a supply and demand thing. If I supplement more, then my supply will go down. "Breast is best" and I do want to give him the best. But am I? Or am I depriving him of other important things? Right now, I am not exactly the mommy that I imagined I would be. I simply do not have the opportunities to do all of the things that I envisioned doing. At this time, am I doing the right thing? Will things get easier when he starts solids? Should I supplement more? Should I take pride (and comfort) in knowing that I truly did my very best in this particular facet of motherhood ... but accept the fact that it may be reasonable to give my child more formula?

You know, I never imagined that decisions that involve nursing my baby would be so gut-wrenching. For some reason, this issue cuts me to the core (pardon the cliches). I want to give my child what he needs. I just don't know what his exact needs are. I love nursing my boy and holding him so close to my heart and I am not ready for that to end this soon. I know I am rambling ... I tend to that when I don't know what to do...

Dear Sprout,
Right now you are at an age where I must make decisions for you. You are so tiny and you must trust Mommy and Daddy for just about everything. I pray that I will do what is best for you. Please understand that I will make mistakes while I raise you ... but I promise you that I will have tried my best to do what is right at each instance. Know, no matter what decision is ultimately made, that I have cherished these months nursing you.
Love always,
Mommy

Singing

Singing a little baby to sleep is pure bliss. Sometimes I sing traditional lullabies, but not usually. For one thing, I don't quite understand the lyrics to "Rockabye Baby." I have found that I enjoy singing hymns instead. Their sing-song melodies comfort my baby and their words give me the perspective I need at the day's end.

Mom and Sprout Go Out

Our community offers wonderful (and free) baby classes that I love to attend. Today Sprout and I went to infant massage. Unfortunately Sprout has never enjoyed all of the benefits of a massage because he would rather eat. However, I can assure you that he is supremely happy to attend. Having a full belly and watching other babies are two of my young man's favorite things. Maybe one day soon he will add a massage to this repertoire. Anyway, I think it's great ...

Today most of us went out to eat when our class was over. How fun! We had a long table full of mommies and babies. Some people may quip and say that they would feel bad for the other customers. However, I think that most of those around us rather enjoyed our little bald headed rolly-pollies. Somehow, no matter what your day has been like, seeing a baby can add just enough sunshine to put a smirk on your face. I bet after sharing a restaurant with eight babies, our neighboring diners were beaming! :-)

Bath Time

Andrew: Let's be sure to clean his little fat rolls.

Me: They're not fat rolls. They're beauty creases. :-)

One Year Ago, Yesterday

Dear Sprout,

One year ago (yesterday), I found out that you were on your way!

Your daddy and I had been married for a short time and all of the sudden I just felt pregnant. I remembered how the two of us joked that I knew the feeling because I had been pregnant so many times before! However, all joking aside, I just knew. Therefore, we prayed for our future children together from that point forward. Sometimes I think that maybe God let me know that I was pregnant early on so that we could pray for you from the start.

August 1, 2009 was a special day for many reasons. For one thing, your Uncle Ben and Aunt Shannon got married! Daddy was a groomsman at the wedding. At the conclusion of a very beautiful ceremony, daddy and the rest of the bridal party were getting their pictures taken before the reception. While photos were being snapped, I ran home to let Shimmer out. Okay, maybe I left to let Shimmer out and to take a pregnancy test… Before I knew it, I was staring at a positive pregnancy test while crazy Shimmer was outside with the chickens. I wondered, “Does a blue line count even if it’s a very pale blue?” I let Shimmer back into the house, put the pregnancy test in my purse, and returned to the church.

When the photo session was finished, your daddy motioned for me. We both hopped into his truck to leave for the party. As I was starting to tell your dad about you, he noticed that I had one of looks on my face. Do you know what that man thought?! He thought that I was going to tell him that Shimmer hurt one of the chickens! Can you imagine how happy he must have been when I told him that we might have a baby on the way? I showed him the test and he saw a blue line, too. Daddy drove to the reception very carefully because we had a baby on board.

The celebration that night was beautiful. The bride and groom were lovely. Twinkling lights and wheat grass sprouts gave Club Cola the perfect amount of prettiness. We ate tacos, drank punch, and devoured wedding cake. And when we danced, we just smiled at one another and looked into each other’s eyes the whole time. I bet that the people who watched us must have thought that we were very much in love – and they were right! We were madly in love with each other and madly in love with you.

Love always,

Mommy