Utah trip, post #1: "Mother Nature's Son"

Thomas's favorite song is I will by the beatles, but i think another tune from the white album describes him better, Mother Natures Son! Isn't this the cutest picture? Thomas's little smile on his face sums up how this little guy feels about being outside: He LOVES it!!! He loves to feel this grass on his bare feet, he loves to look at the trees and the sky from his stroller. He loves the cool breeze. He loves everything! We take Thomas on walks around the park in Ohio daily (sometimes up to three times a day!!!) As soon as he gets outside he seems to calm right down most of the time. So of course we were really excited to take the little guy to Utah where he could really experience the great outdoors!

Thomas loves to feel everthing. I think he is a very tactile learner. He really loved to feel these flowers, the bark on the tree trunks and of course the grass! He is such a curious little boy!

Here is Thomas, serenely looking at the babbling creek.

The baby bjorn is one on Tom's favorite forms of transportation, partially because it is very tasty and chewable! Its always pretty soggy when we take the little boy out!

The roar of Cottonwood Creek is very soothing to this little boy. I'm pretty sure he was the only hiker sleeping on the trail.

This picture was actually taken in Ohio, on the fourth of July, but I had to include it in this post. Isn't it adorable! Tom is Clint's little mini-me. Here they are both examining the map trying to navigate our hike.

A very happy hiking family! Thomas is just like his dad! They are both happiest when they are outside exploring the wonders of the natural world. Thomas is at such a fun age because he is very aware of his surroundings and he is very curious. He's a pretty happy little guy and I think he really likes this world he lives in (I say this as he is screaming on my lap...) Now if we could just get him to take better naps I think we'd have the happiest little guy out there. Anyway, we are so glad we got to spend some time in the beautiful mountains while we were out west. More on our trip to come!!! ( I have to post in intallments with this active little guy!)

Motherhood, The Greatest Blessing and the Greatest Challenge

This is my absolute favorite picture of Thomas. To me it just represents the innocence and wonder that this little boy has. When I look at that expression on his face it brings me joy in the purest sense. To think that I have been blessed with the responsibility of safeguarding and nourishing such a sweet and pure being humbles me.

The past week or two have probably been the hardest yet during my short stint at motherhood. For some reason, Thomas has just seemed to be having more meltdowns and is just more unpredictable. I've heard it said that as soon as the babies hit 3 months they get so much easier, I feel this is the opposite! (Not that Thomas was ever really easy....) There have been many times that I feel completely inadequate as a mother. Like I really don't know ANYTHING. It is beyond frustrating to not know what to do to sooth your baby, to now know what his needs are. It is extremely challenging. I was talking to my mom a few days ago on the phone and she quotes the saying, "A hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." I said, I think the saying should really be, " The hand inside the cradle rules the world of the hand that rocks the craddle." I don't think I have said so many tiny prayers in my head to ask for patience in my life!

But yet, I look at that little face in that picture and I feel absolutely overcome with love and joy. I would do anything for that little man. I am so lucky to have him in my life. And to think Heavenly Father has trusted me to be his mother, makes me feel like maybe I'm not completely on my own, maybe I'm not completely unqualified. I just wanted to make sure and post this while the thoughts were fresh on my mind. I am so grateful to be a mother, even though it is the most challenging thing I have ever done, I truly cannot imagine my life without my sweet sweet Thomas.