I never....

Although "I never" is a silly game we all played in high school, it's also what's been on my heart lately.

Here's my grown-up version of "I never" expected:

• To be OK with spit up running down my arm and onto my clothing... in public.
• To feel soooooo much sympathy when looking into Chloe's tear-filled eyes. (After all, you don't get tough by being babied!)
• To be willing to get up in the middle of my deeeeeepest sleep to take care of my baby
• To smile every time I see her sweet smile
• To giggle with each vibrating toot in her diaper
• To gladly spend my days wiping slobber, sucking out boogies, and cleaning up poo

Truth is, I never anticipated that I'd love Chloe this much, this soon. It may sound horrible to say but I never expected to be so crazy in love with this girl before she can laugh, talk, hug, or utter a word. I never expected this. I'm in love with her.

As long as I can remember, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said a mommy. I never aspired to be a teacher, astronaut, or even the first woman president. I wanted to love on my babies at home, all day long. Then I got my job at Woods Furniture. I like my job, a lot. Without wanting to come across vain or conceited, I'm also very good at my job. I'm knowledgeable, quick, and most days, I can get through the day without making anyone angry at me!! When I left my job on Jan 4th for maternity leave, I had it in my head that I could see myself working 3-4 days a week and being ok with it. I knew I would love my child but I liked being appreciated for my hard work. I was afraid I might get bored at home. But then, this happened:

I gave birth to the most amazing, sweet girl and I fell so in love with her the moment I held her. There are a million secretaries in the world but one mom to Chloe Jane Gustafson. That's me. Only me. Wow. That's pretty special.

Welp, it's 4 months later and my maternity leave is up. I will be returning to work on Saturday. My eyes are filled to the brim with tears and even streaming down my face even as I write those words. I can look over and see my daughter viciously trying to fit both fists in her mouth at once while grunting profusely. I can kiss her warm forehead and bring a smile to her face at any given second. I can make faces, noises, and raspberries on her chubby legs just because I want to... but only for 2 more days. At that point, I will go back to being a secretary. I will answer the phone, enter data, and check acknowledgements to the best of my ability. I will put my best foot forward and work my butt off. I will miss her. I will call home. I will look at pictures on my lunch break. And at 6:00, I will race home to see her. Because, I never expected to love this little pooing bundle quite so much :)

If you are of the praying persuasion, I'd love your prayers for strength these next few days and weeks. It's going to be tough. There will be many more tears, more sleepless nights, and more snuggles than this little girl will know what to do with. Get ready, sweet girl. You are about to be smothered!

Anyway, I'll put my emotions back in my "crazy box" and move on to week 16 pictures!! I've taken lots this week so... hope you enjoy.

Quite the chatterbox these days:

We spent about 2 hours outside one afternoon and she loooooooved it!

Had a girls night on Friday to celebrate my dear friend Charlotte. She turned 26 and her hubby was working so us girls went out on the town. Ok, so we drank water and went to Johnny Carino's for some good ol' Italian food but it was a pretty big night out for us!!

My Pinteresting Week:

Before my Pinterest organizing ideas....

After :)

Drawers before....

And after :)

And finally, Pinterest inspired me.....

Before.

After!

 That's it folks! I've got a growing baby, lots of things to be thankful for, and 2 more full days with my baby girl. The prayer of my heart: that I will make the most of my time, keep a positive attitude, and be thankful for my job yet also the time I get to spend with this girl because: she's plain awesome.