Looking Back Even More

I didn't have the chance to finish what I was doing last night. I was reminiscing on the days gone by, when I had to take a break to put Ericka to bed. I truly can not even believe how quickly time goes by. Ericka has just grown up so fast! I am so grateful that I have the chance to stay at home with her. I feel so blessed to be allowed to watch her grow and change. What a wonder it is to experience first-hand the opportunity to be a parent! I love being a mom!!!

This is Ericka when she was about six months old. She was a binky girl at one point...it didn't last long though. Not that it mattered that much. Sometimes I wish she would have taken it for longer, but it worked out great.

This is Ericka when she was about three months old. She had a pretty chubby face for a little while. I just can't believe how quickly they change. Especially the first few months...they go from being so scrawny looking, to having chubby little cheeks in a matter of weeks it seems.

I think Ericka was around two months in this picture. I can't quite remember when she started smiling. She sure was a great baby. She was generally really happy and not real fussy. I feel that it was a great blessing. What is going to happen with the next one? Am I destined to have a fussy baby? Some people say if you have a good one, to stop because your next one will be the opposite. Well, it's too late now.

Oh my goodness...she was just so tiny. As I was going through baby clothes recently, I came across those little jeans...they are tiny! How did my Ericka ever fit into them?

This was when Ericka was only about two weeks old. I just can't even believe how tiny they are at one point. Ericka still seems so small to me, and she is still my baby. It was weird when we went and saw Eric's sister and her new baby Ericka was a giant compared to their baby. I have been told that it is going to be weird when the next one comes...the difference in size and everything. I know there are going to be a lot of changes and things that seem weird when we have the next one. I am so excited, but I have to admit, I am so nervous too. I just don't want to neglect Ericka, or make her feel like she is not important. I just pray I will be able to continue to be as good a mother to her as I can. Heaven help me!I just wanted to share some thoughts and pictures. It is so hard to find the right words to express my thoughts and feelings sometimes. I am just so grateful for the chance to be a mom. It is hard at times, but the blessing truly outweigh any bad, any upsets, any let-downs that I encounter. I admire my own mom for all she has done for me and my family. What a truly amazing woman she is!!! And I want to thank her for all the sacrifices she has made for us. And to tell her that I love her with all of my heart. And I love my father and am so grateful for his relationship with my mom. They have always been the best examples of what I want in my marriage and for my family. Thank you for the love and support you have always shown me. I am especially grateful to know your concern for my well-being. I am so glad I am married to a man I know you approve of. A man that you know takes great care of me. I love you Dad and Mom. I hope to become the mom I know I can be...the mother you would like to see me become. You guys are the best parents ever!!! I hope I can be as good a parent to Ericka and our new baby as both of you have been to me.