Life at the Limberg's

Why I became a momma . . .

2010-07-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

I have to apologize beforehand about the following post. First of all - I have no pictures. Sometimes there just isn't a camera ready for life's greatest moments. But I will explain it all in as much detail as possible without you having to hit the 'close' window button. Secondly, the last two posts have been kind of cheesy - and this one probably tops them all. But, it's okay. This blog is more like an online journal for me, than anything else. And lastly, I promise that in the coming weeks I will post things about what is happening in all our lives (because there actually is a lot), instead of just focusing on my perfect little Lily.

So with that said, here it goes - bear with me, it's going to be a long one.

As I was thinking about this post, I looked up 'mother' in the dictionary and thesaurus to completely wrap my head around what it factual means in the literary world. After reading through 13 dictionary and 28 thesaurus results, I was surprised to find that not one post said anything about love.

"What? Isn't that the first ingredient to a mother? Who cares about being a 'caregiver', 'procreator', etc., etc.? Those things aren't at all what I think of when I hear mother, and they for sure aren't the reason I became one!"

In all honesty, I became a mother (momma, in my house) for one reason: LOVE! I wanted to feel that 'like-nothing-you-have-ever-felt-before, give-every-piece-of-your-entire-being, feel-it-from-the-depths-of-your-soul, head-over-heels, nothing-can-compare' love a momma feels for her babies. We have all heard other momma's say it in our lifetimes - but becoming a momma meant that I got to feel it. And feel it I did . . . last night . . . during our bedtime routine . . .

It all started with a sick little Lily. She had woken up with a fever yesterday morning and just wasn't at the top of her game. All day she mozied around the house, rested at every comfortable spot that presented itself and ate like a bird. All you moms out there know that just seeing the discomfort in your babies eyes is gut wrenching enough, but it's even worse when you can't do anything at all to make it better. (For the record, it's just a little virus. No medication, no home remedy will fix this - only time.) So, when I got home from work, I set out to help my little Lulubug get her mind off her bug.

She was still warm, so we started with a little stroll in the rain - in hopes that the cool breeze and fresh rain would wash away some of the heat. Our walk ended quickly as cool breezes turned to deep chills and our 'cool off' needed a 'warm up'. Off to the bath. Lily loves the bath. So, I looked down at her and said "Wanna get in the bath?". I knew the answer, but was taken back when she shook her head yes, pointed at me and then replied, "Wis Momma?" I couldn't help it but smile. Five minutes later we were both crammed into the tub, bubbles up to her chin and a huge smile across her face. We played until we were raisins and I think that during the small time it took for our skin to turn wrinkly, she forgot that she didn't feel good. Mission accomplished!

But the night didn't end there. After slipping into some warm jammies, pulling a blanket out of a packed box, and warming up the infamous 'buh-buh', it was time for a snuggle on the couch. I thought she would claim my seat on the couch, like she normally does, but when I came back in the room with the buh-buh, she stood up, grabbed the bottle and pointed to my seat, and said "Sit". I thought, "Your wish is my command", and no sooner than I sat down was she in my lap, pulling the blanket over us both and starting to settle in with her buh-buh. This is a rare moment in our house - our busy little girl does not take time to snuggle - so I pulled her closed to better drink in every second of this rare occasion.

Good thing I did, because it didn't last long. She started tossing and turning, and then we both had to succumb to the fact that yes, she didn't feel good. She gets restless when she's tired, and that restlessness was only magnified as her temperature went up. In my last effort to distract her from her bug, we pulled out books. As always, I tried to do my best impressions of each animal as I read their poems, but for some reason I just can't master the voice of a hippo, zebra or crocodile - so we resorted to counting the birds and bugs on every page, naming every animal and perfecting the sounds they all make. She's got it down, but momma - not so much.

The book only distracted us for so long, and soon I could see in her eyes that it was time for bed.
Me: Is it time to go ni-night?
Lily: Seep. Ni-nigh Baxi. Ni-nigh Edde. (Waving goodbye to the sleeping dogs on the other end of the couch.)

And off she went - right to her room, with a few glances over her shoulder to make sure I was right behind her. I followed diligently and smiled, knowing that she has this down - sick or not. She stopped right at the foot of her bed, turned around and reached up for me. I picked her up, smothered her in smoochies, laid her next to her baby doll and covered them both with the blanket. She leaned over to share her buh-buh with her baby, made a smacking noise to simulate the baby drinking and then looked up at me with the proudest face I have seen to date. I giggled, because really, she wasn't the only proud one in the room.

As I started to walk away, I had one more thing to say:
Me: Hey, who loves you?
Lily: (In a soft whisper that only I could hear) Momma.
Me: Good night Lulubug, I love you.
Lily: (Same soft whisper) Luh you.

There it was! Stopped me in my tracks. Left me paralyzed in the doorway to her room, while inside I was boucing off walls and singing:

"YES! She said it! To me! For the first time! Without any probing or coaching - she just said it!"

It was the moment I had been waiting for since I found out I was pregnant. To actually hear her say that love is a mutual feeling between us. I have always known that she loves her momma and that I love-love-love her too, but to hear it - was beyond words. My last post was laced with words like "magic", "heaven" and "beautiful" - but none of those words come close to describing that whispered little "Luh you". In fact, I don't think Merriam Webster has found or defined a word with enough brilliance, emotion, power and love that was in that moment. I am still breathless just thinking about it.

This wasn't just another moment that I was thankful for being a momma, it was the moment that I realized why I became a momma! I would say my job here is done - but you can bet that I will be working hard for the rest of my life to keep those 'Luh You's' coming! Rest assured, I have plenty of stuff up my sleeve so I can hear those sweet, sweet words over and over and over and over and over...

I love you forever,

I love you for always,

Forever and ever,

My baby you'll be!

Nobody loves you like your momma!

Heaven at 2am.

2010-04-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

I was one of those weird people that actually 'liked' being pregnant. I was lucky enough that the sick period was short-lived and although the third trimester was uncomfortable, I really did enjoy every minute of it. My favorite part of being pregnant came around 2am every night/morning. I would be fast asleep and then suddenly be nudged awake by the little rumbles of the baby in my tummy. I would wake up, turn on my side, rub my belly, and hum a quiet little melody while the jellybean inside of me would toss, turn, kick, hiccup and punch her responses to the sweet tunes that only her and I could hear. It was magical. Heavenly. Yes, she did move and make her presence known throughout the days of pregnancy, but it was only at night that I could really sit down and wrap myself in the moment with just her and I.

With that in mind, I have to tell you my heavenly encounter at 2am this morning. Becoming a mom brought along with it the lightest sleep you can possibly get, that allows you to feel somewhat rested. If you asked on any given day I could tell you what Lily did last night while sleeping - when she moved, coughed, threw her tired little body around to find a position that was a little more cozy than the last. Yes, I have Superman ears during the night, asleep or not. Each time I hear something I open my eyes just enough to see what time it is, so if something were to happen I could tell every piece of the story, minute by minute, and then close my eyes and listen to what happens next.

Usually, what happens next is nothing but a beautiful sigh of comfort, letting me know the angel that sleeps in the next room is going peacefully back to sleep. But not this morning, I heard her body toss - once, twice and then a moment of silence. Then, within her next sleepy breath I heard, "Momma". I smiled at the thought of her slipping back into dreamland with me on her mind, but that wasn't the case. Another sleepy breath brought another "Momma", and another and another. I couldn't help but get out of bed and see what was going on.

As I tiptoed into her room, I could see her. Her little eyes peering through the slates of her crib as she laid there on her side watching for me to come in. When I got to her crib, she laid still, but her eyes followed my every move. She looked up at me with tired eyes, a happy smile and let out another sleepy "Momma".

My cup runneth over.

I reached down to pick her up and she extended her reach, to aid in my 'get in my arms now you sweet, sweet lulubug!' attempt. I picked her up, held her close, and tiptoed back into our room for some late night cuddling. I slide into bed, kept a tight grip on her and pulled the covers over us both so we could nestle in. Here, in the comfort of our large, king-sized, pillowtop bed, she nestled herself so tightly into my nook that it was the closest thing you could possibly come to inside my belly. Insert deja vu. I couldn't help but think about those late nights during the pregnancy, and all of a sudden the same quiet hum came pouring out of mouth and my hand instantly started rubbing the tiny back that replaced my swelled tummy.

Then, I felt it again - magic. Heaven. I couldn't help but let the tears pour out as I held her close and let myself fall into another beautiful moment with her. Let's be honest, there are lots of these moments, but something just got me this morning. I was suddenly reminded me of how blessed I am to have her, wondering what I ever did without her and knowing that my only purpose in life is to be her 'Momma' - to hold her at every opportunity and be there for every giggle, every tear and every moment inbetween - whether it be magical or a little less than. She is my world's greatest beauty and honestly, heaven sent.

A sneak peek . . .

2010-04-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Lily had a spur-of-the-moment photoshoot with Forever Bliss Photography at Wheeler Farm. When I say "spur-of-the-moment", I mean, the photographer called at 8:30am to set up an appointment and at 11:30 they were snapping away.

Here is the catch - I didn't go. I was preoccupied and Dan was the only one available to take her. I was a little sad that I wasn't going as I was getting her ready, but now I am glad I didn't go. It's so exciting waiting for them to come back and not knowing what was going on in all of them. It's great!

So you can imagine my excitement when I logged on to our cute, cute photographer's site this morning and saw this little gem . . .

Oh, my sweet, sweet jelly bean!

She has got to be the prettiest little thing I have ever laid eyes on! Get excited, I will post more pics soon and catch up on the last however months I have neglected my blogging. More to come...

Just because they are so stinkin' cute!

2009-12-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

You don't have to say anything,
I know you agree!

I think it's plain to see . . .

2009-12-08T12:16:00.001-08:00

She honestly lights up my life!

I have a feeling having her around for Christmas will bring back the exhilarance, light and spirit of the season that tends to disappear as you get older. I can't wait. You don't have to say it, I know - she is beautiful! Thanks Forever Bliss Photography!

Ohhh . . .

2009-09-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that Lily loves the grass, being naked in the sunshine, and her mommy playing with her and taking her picture? If not, she does. Enjoy!

I'm going into business . . .

2009-09-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ha, I wish. I would LOVE to do this sort of stuff for a living, but believe it or not these little gifts are pretty spendy. I am sure there is a market for it, but I am not sure that people would be willing to pay what would be worth my time. It was a two day process, granted this is my first attempt and it would only get easier, but I am perfectionist when it comes to my crafts and there is no such thing as a quick and easy project. But here it is, my very first diaper cake in all it's glory. I hope that Ginger and Baby Abbott enjoy every minute of it, while it's assembled.

The last picture was the complete piece at the shower. With the extra washclothes and diapers I made diaper ice cream cones and lined the gift table with them. Turned out pretty cute if you ask me . . . somebody else hurry and get pregnant so I can build another one!

I just had the worst lunch EVER...

2009-09-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

...so I submitted an email to the only contact email I could find for them.

Let me disclose something before you read the email. I am not picky. I am not one to send food back if it is cold and most of the time, I don't mind if there is a hair or something else in my food - I just eat around it. I have been a waitress and I know it's a hard job, but I also know if you're not busy, that your customers should not have to wait on anything and should be treated like they are the only people in the place, which we really were in this situation. The waitress totally set the tone for the meal and when the salad came out - I was really done. I would have said something while we were there, but I was with coworkers and really didn't want to cause a scene . . . especially if the manager was as 'courteous' as the rest of the staff.

So with that said - here is the email they received when I returned from honestly one of the worst meals I have ever had:

Hi!

I know you are probably not the person I should be sending this to - but maybe you can forward this off to whoever can address the questions at the bottom.

I went to your restaurant/bar for the first time a couple weeks ago. Loved it - the food, the atmosphere, the service - it was great! I have been raving to everyone about it and telling them to go and try everything, because they would not regret it. I had told a few coworkers about it and when they saw it on the Dine-O-Round list, they said it was a great opportunity to try it out and we all went over for today's lunch.

We just got back and fortunately, I am really lucky that the people I went with are very forgiving and didn't take my Caesar Salad/Chicken & Fromage sandwich recommendation. First of all, the waitress was second rate, didn't really know the menu, didn't explain the special effectively and was very slow to get any extra requests (mind you, we were one of four occupied tables in the whole place during lunch hour).

Now to the meal . . . the waitress brought out our salads and while the others feasted on the spinach salad, I got to cut into a Caesar and dirt salad - wait, dirt isn't' the word . . . manure mud clumps was the general consensus of the table. (There was literally, huge clumps of dirt rapped in romaine lettuce, yummy!) i told the waitress, who quickly took it away and then asked if I wanted another. I kindly declined, but could not help but think "Yes! Please put some more dirt-filled lettuce in front of me so my appetite is not only gone for the day, but for the entire weekend!"

Anyways, on to the main course, Chicken and Fromage - Bleu Cheese/Gorgonzola in my case. She sets it down in front of me and low and behold - Chicken and plastic Provolone! Sweet, icing on the cake. I asked her (very nicely) if this is the Bleu Cheese/Gorgonzola I had requested. Her reply, "We only have that kind of dressing, not the actual crumbles." Hmm, from my previous experience at Gracie's I had a Chicken and Gorgonzola sandwich - guess the menu changed in the three weeks that have elapsed since then?

Finally, another guy comes out to bring a side to someone else and before I can finish asking him if I could have a side of your special fry dipping sauce, I get cut off with a "We don't have fry sauce!" Well, that's good, I was actually inquiring about the ketchup/cocktail sauce concoction that won me over last time with my garlic french fries.

So as you can probably guess - after all this, I was done. Ready to pack up my stuff and walk-out, but luckily the lunch you provided to my associates was up to par and worth my recommendation - but after further discussing it with them, they won't be returning any time soon just in case their number is up, upon their second visit. So, can I ask you - should my word of mouth advertising campaign I had going for you, be followed with an asterisk and fine print saying, "This recommendation is good for first time customers only. Returning customers do so at their own risk and are not guaranteed the service and food that was presented during the first visit. Availability of manure is dependent upon season and time of day and will not be provided upon request"? I just need to know, so I can print out a disclaimer to hand to people after discussing your establishment, if it ever regains its spot on my Salt Lake Dining recommendation list again.

Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you in regards to my last question - hopefully, in a more timely and professional manner than my lunch.

Sincerely,
Hailey Gee

I think I got my point across in a tasteful manner, don't you? I am anxiously awaiting a reply and if I get one - I will make sure to post it here, just in case you are curious of what they say.

6 months ago today....

2009-07-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the hospital after a long, exhausting night caught in what seemed like a dream. Laying in my arms was a little gift from heaven, and the answer to my prayers - Lillian Shannon Limberg!

(The picture date is not acurate.)

Lily you are getting so big, so quickly! I cherish every moment I spend with you and can't wait to watch you grow into the beautiful Lily I know you will be! I only have one word for you - perfect! Nobody loves you like your momma does!

"I'll love you forever,

I'll love you for always,

Forever and ever,

My baby you'll be!"
-Love You Forever

"In high tide and in low tide,

I'll be by your side."

-Bob Marley

Lovely, little Lily Limberg!

2009-07-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I was getting ready and Lily was not having her swing. So I brought her in to the bathroom and set her on the floor in front of the mirror and gave her my feather boa to play with. She was absolutely darling! She sat there and talked to her reflection and just giggled! Then when she realized that the boa was something she could touch and play with, she forgot about her reflection and moved on to the bright red feathers. She was thoroughly entertained for a few minutes, but that came to a screeching halt when she tried to eat the feathers.

She figured that it would be like anything else she put in her mouth, hard and full of substance. When she realized that eating a feather is like trying to eat paper, it doesn’t have anything to really sink your teeth into and it’s hard to tell if there is anything in your mouth. She was so frustrated that there was no taste or texture to this soft little feather she had put in her mouth and became furious when I pulled it out of her mouth and away from her reach. But she got over it quickly when I sat down on the floor with the camera to capture this cute moment. Luckily she is a little ham and I was able to catch these cute images of her, being her happy-go lucky-self.

Did you see them? Yes, those sparkly little things in her tiny little ears are real diamonds! No, she is not spoiled – just extremely loved! You may be thinking “Why would you do that?” and as Pam would say, “Maybe the better question here is, why wouldn’t we do that!” Ha, I love it! Just when you think she couldn’t be any cuter – we throw a couple diamonds in the mix and take it to a whole new level.

Tonight we get to go and get pictures taken of our cute little girl and family! I will post another update soon and let everyone know how it goes!

A Little Tribute

2009-06-12T13:12:00.000-07:00

So, I figured as a follow-up to my first blog, I would give a short tribute to all those that I am thankful for! I don’t say it enough to everyone, but I am beyond grateful for everything you all do for me/us, for the constant support, for teaching me new something every day and accepting me for all the lessons/talking to’s that I have forgotten over the years! Someone told me that “Women are crazy, you just have to find the one who’s crazy you can live with.” It’s so true, and I can’t believe how many people overlook my crazy and keep standing beside me through it all. So, here are my shout-outs! Don’t be offended if you aren’t on the list, I promise I didn’t forget you, I just didn’t have a picture to add to it.

Dan – At first you were my just my boyfriend, my Salt Lake lova’. Over time you have become way more than that and I honestly wonder how I survived without you! You have been promoted to best friend, man of my dreams, the best daddy in the world, my hero, my solace, my other half, my absolute favorite – really, the list could go on and on, but just know that I wouldn’t trade my life with you for anything in the world.

Jake – You are such a little man! I am so happy that you are in our family and I think Lily couldn’t ask for a better big brother! You have taught me a lot about myself and showed me the value of patience!

Lily – Oh my little Lily girl! You are everything and more than I ever envisioned and God answered my prayers the day you were born. When you were born, I told Grammy that ‘In the past, I wasn’t sure that there was a higher power, but now that you are here, there has to be. There is no way that something so beautiful, sweet and innocent didn’t come from somewhere magical and beyond belief.' You have given me faith and a reason to believe that there is something much bigger than me up there that sent you to me.

It is because of you that I have a purpose, that I have life and that I look forward to everyday that I get to watch you grow, to watch you learn and to watch you become the beautiful little girl and person I know you will be! You are my everything!

Baxter – You are my little gentleman! You have shown me exactly what it means to love unconditionally and with everything you have! You complete our little family and believe me when I say, we are going to get you a little girlfriend, because we owe it to you! You deserve to have someone that makes you as happy as you make us!

And last, but certainly not least – our families! The old saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child,” and the last few months have made me realize the truth behind this statement. I wouldn’t be who I am without my family and I know my little family wouldn’t be as strong without the support from all of our extended family! I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you! We appreciate everyone of you more than words can say!

Destiny

2009-06-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

My friend emailed me the other day to get an update on my life since baby. It had been a while since we had really touched base, so I spent a few minutes replying with an update. After I wrote the email, I was in tears and realized that I am beyond blessed and even though life didn’t run the course I was originally planning, it turned out better than I could have ever imagined.

When I was in college I always thought I wouldn't settle down for a little while. I was going to get my feet planted in the corporate world and then add in all the other personal things. I never wanted to be one of those people who just comes back to Utah to get married have kids and live down the street from where they grew up. But now, I realized that this is where my heart is, this is where my family is and where everything that has any significance or value is. All in all this is where I belong, this is destiny – my little family, our little world is destiny in the flesh.

Here is my lengthy reply to my friend, take it with a grain of salt, because even though I have dreamed about ‘a longer single life with travel, late nights, etc.’ I am more happy than I have ever dreamed.

Oh, everything has changed – but it’s a good change. Honestly, I thought that Dan was my true love, but no, you don’t know true love until you have a baby! She is seriously the light of my life! Sometimes I can’t wait until she wakes up in the morning, so I can go into her room and watch the smile grow on her face when she see’s me – it’s the cutest thing you have ever seen and I melt everyday!

Regular day? Starts between 5 and 7 am with her making little noises in her crib. I get her up, change her, feed her, play with her and then put her in her swing for her first nap of the day. While she’s napping, I get myself ready and put together everything she will need while I am at work. Then I wake her up change the dipy, put her in her car seat and take her and Jake to wherever they are going for the day.

I go to work, get off as soon as my 8 hours is up and go and pick them both up. Get home, Dan usually makes dinner, one of us eats as quickly as possible so the other can take her while the other eats and then it’s time for the bedtime ritual. Bath time, cereal, bottle, rock a baby, kisses and then a goodnight. After she is down, I get in the shower, plan the next day’s outfit and get in bed asap so I can get as much rest before the next day begins. It’s crazy and I average about 6-7 hours of sleep a night. She sleeps through the night now, but by the time we get in bed and settle down, sleep is limited.

You don’t even realize how much your life changes with a baby. Say goodbye to nights on the town or just picking up and going somewhere. My purse is now a diaper bag with my wallet in the side and I have just gotten used to rocking drool and spit-up marks on my clothes as accessories. But don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I have found a new love for Dan too! He’s not just my husband/lova’/best friend anymore – he’s the guy that gave me the girl of my dreams, the perfect daddy and my other half. Crazy! How did I function without him? I will never know.

Life is good. Sometimes I dream of those single days and wish I could have lived a longer single life filled with travel, wild nights, booty calls and independence. But at the same time, when I spend time with my little family, there is nowhere else in the world that I want to be. I wouldn’t call it bittersweet or anything, I would call it my destiny – my little family is destiny in the flesh!

Like I said before I am beyond blessed!