Halfway gone

Emersyn's feet officially touch the floor in her exersaucer as of today.

I am just noticing this as I eat my breakfast sleepily on the couch.
She's jumping around like crazy, staring out the window and babbling contently;
hardly even noticing that I am still here watching her.

Something so simple has my stomach in knots.
My gaze is locked on her. Suddenly, she looks all too old for my liking. 
My baby isn't a baby to me anymore. 
She's nearly 6 months old- halfway between baby & toddler.
And that brings a tear to my eye.

The memories of sitting on this very couch with her cuddled quietly in my arms flood back to me.
The days of nursing her here for what seemed like hours on end.
The times she would sleep on my chest as I watched a daytime TV show.
The hours of walking her around this living room "shhhh"-ing her little cries.
Before long, these days will be behind us. 
And a jabbering, chubby legged toddler will be running around this room,
dumping out toys, spilling Cheerios in the carpet, and 
sticky handprints will cover the furniture.

So today, I'm going to sip my coffee a little slower. 
Listen to that annoying children's song blare from her toys a little longer.
Stay in my pajamas a few more hours & forget the errands, the cleaning, the laundry.
And enjoy one more day with my baby girl.

Meet Team Kleiner

After months of planning, days of pondering, countless deleted usernames, many handwritten ideas jotted on any spare piece of paper I can find, conversations with friends, and that daily reminder alarm on my phone that simply reads "CREATE BLOG".... it's finally here, people. 

MY MOM BLOG.

Yes people, my MOM blog.

First things first- I should probably start by introducing myself.

I'm Danielle. 

And no that is not a backdrop. That's me.... in eastern France.

But we'll save the story of my living abroad stint for another day.

I am a twenty three year old bible reading, world traveling, bargain finding, DIY attempting, Starbucks drinking, mall walking, photo snapping, list writing, concert going, coupon cutting, Zumba dancing, style watching wifey & mama.

Here's my Mister. 

Handsome right?

He's the leader of our trio.

And between working, taking night classes, and serving in the military- he's one busy guy.

But he does it all for us. And that humbles me.

We fell head over heels for each other when I was 17 & he was 18.

And five committed years, three long distance years, two wedding anniversaries, one year long deployment and one beautiful daughter later we are living the dream.

And last, but certainly not least, here is our little E.

She's the center of our universe. 

The apple of our eye.

The queen of the castle.

You all are going to hate strongly dislike me when I say that she has always slept through the night. Always has ate well. Rarely cries. Falls asleep on her own. Goes with the flow. Literally scaredtohaveanotherkidsomedaycuzshesthatperfect good.

She has so much personality in such a small little body.

I already love her kind & gentle soul, the twinkle in her eyes, & the joy that she radiates.

She is my dream come true.

And the thing I love the most about her?

She made me a mom.

She made me a mother for the rest of my life.

And in my mind, that is the greatest gift God could have ever blessed me with.

Which brings me back to....

this mom blog.

I feel cool that I can say that.

I have a mom blog because I am a mom.

Imagine that.

Some kids dream of being astronauts.

Or professional athletes.

Or zookeepers.

Or truck drivers.

Or rockstars.

But no, not me.

I just dreamed of being a mom.

And now my dream has come true.

So join me as I chronicle my journey into mommyhood and everything that comes with it at #keepingupwiththekleiners!

And when I say I've waited my whole life to do this, 

I'm not exaggerating.