Piggyback Ride

So, the other night, Scott asked Leah if she wanted to go for a piggyback ride. "Yeah, yeah," she replied, so Scott hoisted her up to his shoulders, and started racing around the house. Most of the time, Leah LOVES this, commanding Scott to "Go!" if he even pauses for a moment. This time, however, she wiggled and squirmed, trying to get down.

I'm sure my hubby thought, "What is going on?" so he lowered Leah to the couch.

And then she answered his question: She walked over to her basket of stuffed animals, pulled out her pig, and sat down on its back... for a piggyback ride. "Ride," she said, pointing to her Daddy.

"But Daddy can't give you a ride on your piggy."
"Ride." Nothing could dissuade our little Evil Knievel. If she could ride her motorcycle, her car, a laundry basket, box, or Daddy's shoulders, why could she not also ride her piggy?

So, like any great Daddy would, Scott figured out a way for Leah to go for a (literal) piggyback ride. Our little girl was in hog heaven (sorry, but I couldn't resist!)!

Happy Moments

Generally speaking, I consider myself to be a joyful, content person. Perhaps that's why the little moments in life are what please me most. Go figure that most of these revolve around family and friends.

*Happy moment: Watching Scott run around the house with Leah on his shoulders.

*Happy moment: Leah running laps around the house while repeating "Go, Leah, go!"

*Happy moment: Cuddling on the couch with Leah and a pile of books.

*Happy moment: Enjoying a roaring fire, courtesy of my hubby, while playing with Leah and Scott in the family room.

*Happy moment: Weekend mornings when Scott gets up with Leah. Inevitably, she'll ask for "Momma," and then come racing into our bedroom to crawl in bed with me and snuggle under the covers.

*Happy moment: One-on-one time with my girlfriends so that we can catch up on life.


I'm sure many of you have read the quote: "Life is a series of moments; to live each one is to succeed." Maybe that's why I take such joy in the simple things. Enjoying life is being in the here and now, the day-to-day. When we get hung up on the big events, we fail to notice the beauty in the ordinary, which better defines us than the grand times in our lives. After all, it's in the ordinary, the everyday, that we have the most contact with the ones we love most, isn't it?

Unplugged

Okay, so "unplugging" for a few days was probably much easier for me than for many of you who read this. After all, I'm the one who has (and uses) a cell phone out of necessity rather than a desire to stay connected to everyone. (Staying connected/ accessible to everyone 24-7 would absolutely exhaust me!) Still, I'm actually a bit surprised by how easy it was.

Today is the first day I've actually turned on the computer since Friday. (At least, I THINK I turned it on then.) It's not that I've done this on purpose; it's just that life was happening in the here and now. I simply didn't have a CHANCE to connect electronically.

Not surprisingly, I really didn't mind the "dis-connect". Granted, that meant that I had plenty of emails to sort through this afternoon, as well as plenty of other computer-related tasks to tackle (order gifts, back-up photos, scan the computer, check the Christmas list/ budget), but none of those was too overwhelming or time-consuming. (Of course, I say this as I look at the clock and realize that I really need to get my workout in before Leah wakes up.) Plus, "unplugging" allowed me to accomplish quite a bit over the weekend.

Maybe I should try this a bit more often.

Thanksgiving Recap

The princess sat still JUST long enough for a photo with Grandpa and Nama.

Ever since returning from a recent trip to NY, Leah has loved playing under the table.

This is how we clean the dishes at our place. Leah loves to help.

Thanksgiving Day was a bit more subdued than previous years, but equally enjoyable. This year, Scott and I hosted my parents rather than all of us trekking over to my best friend's dad's house, as is our usual custom. Turkey day morning was actually pretty relaxing (well, for me; Scott was working on house projects): I had a chance to watch the parade and lounge about before prepping some of the dinner dishes later that afternoon. (Guess that's what happens when the pies are made a day ahead of time, huh?)

Mom and Daddy joined us about 4, and Leah decided to wake up right about that time, too (could she smell the turkey and fixings?), so we were soon feasting on way too many delicious dishes. After all, how much food could 4.5 people eat?

A Thanksgiving staple over the past couple of years has been homemade macaroni and cheese-- yum! I (and Scott, too, for that matter) thought that Leah would primarily consume mac and cheese, and then maybe have a little bit of everything else. Was I ever wrong! She hardly touched it! Of all the delectable dishes on the table that night, Leah's favorite, by far, was... the canned cranberry sauce. I kid you not.

At one point during the meal, she pointed to the sauce which was on one of Leah's plates. (Hmmm, I wonder if THAT'S why she wanted it.) "Well, if she wants to try it, let her," I thought. This kid tried it and then some! If she hadn't already eaten some of the other foods, she most certainly would've had a cranberry sauce dinner.

A couple hours later, we sat down for dessert: peanut butter cup pie and apple pie. Mmmmm. I gave Leah some of my apple pie, figuring she'd scarf it down. (After all, it IS apple pie!) She didn't want just plain pie, though; she wanted Cool Whip, too. So, since it was the holiday, I obliged her, plopping a dollop of the creamy goodness on her pie. Well, forget the apples! Like the cranberry sauce, the Cool Whip didn't last long. At one point, Leah was actually LICKING her plate clean! Oh my!

Guess if we're ever in doubt as to what to serve her, we know what to pick up at the store: cranberry sauce and Cool Whip, the dinner of champions!

Thankful

As my favorite holiday rolls around once again, I thought I'd take this opportunity to relate just a few things for which I'm thankful. Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! And know that even in the darkest of times, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for!

*Scott: my wonderful husband who always knows how to make me laugh, and who works hard to provide for us
*Leah: my beautiful daughter and her sweet disposition and cuddly nature
*My parents: for nurturing and supporting me in all my endeavors
*My sisters: for all the memories growing up
*My in-laws: for loving me like their own daughter
*My friends: for being there for me in all seasons, for laughing with me, for listening
*Christ: for giving me hope and a future
*For beautiful fall days, perfect for taking a brisk walk and enjoying the colorful foliage
*For a roof over my head and food in my belly

Oh, the list could go on and on, but you get the idea. Happy Turkey Day!

Don't Think I'll Ever "Get" It (Fashion)

What I'm about to write might come as a shock to all of you (sarcasm intended), but I am not, nor will I ever be, a fashionista. Try as I might, I just don't quite get it.

This isn't to say that I don't WANT to get it; I just don't. Growing up, we didn't go shopping just for fun, and we certainly didn't shop all the latest brands or styles. And for some reason, back then, it never phased me. I was always comfortable in my brandless clothing.

It hasn't been until recently that I've actually been concerned (well, more-so than in the past) about clothes, which isn't necessarily a good thing. I guess it's because I have several well-dressed, stylish, trendy friends who just always look good. Being around them makes me want to look good, too. (Yes, the girl who lives in workout clothes actually wants to look put together, at least on occasion.)

The problem is that I see what others are wearing, or what's in an ad or magazine, and I want to wear the same thing. But then, when I search for such an outfit, I either can't find it, or when I try it on, it just doesn't feel like me. It's almost as if I'm trying too hard. So of course, I resort to the same-old, same-old, which sometimes just seems so "blah".

That's not the only fashion impediment I've encountered in my quest to get it; I also hate spending money on clothes (though I'll spend money on items for the house-- go figure), and I'm not exactly sure of my size.

Spending money: I think because I'm so uncertain about what I should be wearing, I'm really hesitant about purchasing clothing for myself. Maybe it's a commitment issue (who has commitment issues with clothing?!), but I wonder why I'm going to spend $$$$ on something that I think I like, but I'm not overly confident that I do. (Does that make any sense? Or am I just some oddball when it comes to fashion?) Part of that has to do with sizing, though; take, for instance, a couple pairs of pants that I bought at Ann Taylor last year. I bought my usual size, even though they did feel a little looser than I thought they should. (The smaller size was definitely too small.) I really like the pants, but now I wonder if maybe they just don't fit quite right. I don't want to not wear them because I spent some money on them, but on the other hand, do I really want to wear them if they don't fit quite right? Oh the angst! (Maybe this is the heart of my clothing woes!)

What it all comes down to, really, is this: learning to be comfortable again in my style choices, regardless of whether or not they're on trend. After all, I know for a fact that my friends aren't friends with me for my style!

20 Months (tomorrow)

In honor of Leah, who is now closer to two than one, I thought I'd update you with some of her habits, quirks, and the like. Yes, that means that any Halloween update will be postponed even further, but a 20-month post will help you know her all that much better.

*Vocabulary: This has improved greatly since her questionable 18-month appointment. Some of her new words include Grover, Elmo, please, thank you, help, and Cheerios. The last two she learned in about a day. (Funny moment: Last night after dinner, Scott was making his lunch, which includes packing up trail mix-- made with Cheerios. Leah came racing over for some, which, of course, Scott gave her. He left the room to do something, and when Leah finished her Cheerios, she RAN across the room to the pantry, patted the door, and said, "Cheerios." Silly girl. I don't remember the last time I saw her run THAT fast!)

*Seats: Leah loves sitting in baskets, trays, well, just about anything. She even tipped over the puzzle rack and sat in that last night! Sometimes she's not as successful as others, like when she tried sitting in the little tray that holds my face wash and lotion. It really doesn't matter what size the container is; Leah will empty it out and then crawl in. She's even been known to watch her show (Blue's Clues) while sitting in a basket. (Apparently this can be advantageous; last week, at a friend's house, Leah climbed into a toy wagon that's used to hold giant Legos. Her little friend Morgan (who is 10 days younger than Leah) then pulled her around the kitchen.)

*Doxology: Leah has a book of prayers that Scott's parents gave him when he was two. Among the various prayers is the Doxology, so I sang it to Leah one day. Ever since then, she will deliberately pull out that book and turn to that page so that I'll sing. She points emphatically to the picture, as if that gesture is sign for "sing". If I'm not in the room but she's reading the book with Scott, she'll point to the kitchen, as if telling him that I'm supposed to sing. (And yes, I usually comply. I never knew my daughter's favorite song would be the Doxology!)

*Pretend: A couple weeks ago, I was lying on the floor, and Leah was sitting on my stomach reading a book. When Scott told her it was time to clean-up, she immediately dropped to my chest and pretended to sleep. (She'd never done this before.) When she picked her head up, Scott or I would say again, "Time to clean-up", and again, just as quickly, she'd drop her head to my chest. I almost cried I was laughing so hard! This happened a few more times, before I finally picked her up and pointed her in the direction of some wayward toys. But oh, how funny to watch her!

Well, They Look Like Rocks

Found it!

Going for a hayride. I just kept hoping that the back gate wouldn't open up and drop us!

Feeding the goats (do you know how hard it is trying to hold a feed cup, take a picture, and keep an eye on Leah all at the same time?)

Last Monday, Leah and I stopped by Old Mine Ranch. My MOPS group organized this outing, which was nice since a) it meant some of my friends were there, and b) it introduced me to someplace new (convenient since I had never even heard of Old Mine Ranch.

The weather was unseasonably warm, but considering we were outside for a couple hours, it worked to our benefit. I expected Leah to go ga-ga over the animals, partially because I enjoy them, and partially because she loved seeing them at the fair in August. Boy was I surprised, then, when she chose the outdoor toys (ride-on cars and the like) over the animals! I pulled her along on one briefly, and then managed to re-direct her attention to the animals. (Of course, the other kids' excitement and interest helped, too.)

One of the workers came around with feed for the animals, and despite trying to get Leah to feed them, I was unsuccessful. One particular goat was rather greedy, so I guess it was a good thing that I held the cup. The goat would've knocked Leah down! Leah did try to help; I'd pour some feed into her hand, and then she'd put it in my palm. At least she tried.

At one point, we started making our way to the barn to see the ponies, donkey, and llama. (Let me pause here to interject: Leah loves exploring the outdoors. Our neighborhood walks are more like nature strolls, allowing her the chance to pick up leaves, rocks, and acorns.) Obviously, since this was a farm and many of the animals roamed free, you can imagine what littered the ground here and there. And wouldn't you know it, but my kiddo found some, and before I could stop her, picked it up. Gross! I know, she didn't know any better, and she probably thought it was a pebble, but ew! (At least she didn't fret when I knocked it out of her hand, and then whipped out the wipes.)

The rest of our visit was uneventful (but enjoyable). We took a hayride around the farm, and then Leah had a chance to decorate her own pumpkin. When she saw the cart of pumpkins, she marched right up to it, climbed atop a hay bale, and then selected hers. After decorating it (markers), she was ready to choose another one! Ahh, the budding artiste!

Williamsburg 2010

No, we didn't stage this photo; Leah was all about the cannons.

Guess who found a big "tick" (stick)?

"Look, Mommy! Leaves! We don't have these at home!"

Every so often, Leah would call to the sheep ("baa").

The highlight of Saturday: feeding the horses.

What's better than one Leah? Two! She played with the mirror and hotel information notebook more than she played with her toys! Every chance she got, she stood/ sat/ danced in front of the closet doors.

We found a hollowed-out log by the Capitol building. Once Leah was in it, she didn't want to get out.

Somehow Scott snuck this sticker on my leg and then took a couple photos. I didn't realize it until a few minutes later while we were in a shop looking around.

Chewing on her William & Mary beads while watching the homecoming parade.

This past weekend we took a much-needed family vacation to Williamsburg. Due to Scott's crazy work schedule the past month (which has resumed this week, unfortunately), we haven't had much quality time together as a family, so the chance to get out of town for a couple days was a welcome one.

Although we had planned for this vacation, we still decided to see Williamsburg for as little as possible. Thus, our visit to Colonial Williamsburg (CW) was on the cheap; that is, we didn't buy tickets to visit the shops. Actually, this worked in our favor since most of them appeared to be closed. Plus, the real benefit was simply walking around on a beautiful Saturday morning, taking in the sites. (Prior to walking around CW, we watched the William & Mary homecoming parade. One spectator in the homecoming spirit even gave Leah a necklace, which she chewed on all morning long.)

That afternoon, after a disappointing visit to the Harley Davidson store in Kingsmill (near Busch Gardens) and a walk through a deserted shopping area (seriously, nothing was open and it was only 5 PM), we stumbled upon the horse corrals for the horses that "work" at CW. This was Leah's favorite part of the day. She loved walking between the horse corral and the sheep pen. Even better, at one point, a gentleman and his family who pulled up to feed the horses gave Leah a couple of carrots so that she could feed them, too. What toddler wouldn't love feeding and petting them?

Sunday morning, before heading home, we checked out the Jamestown Settlement. (Yes, we actually paid for tickets.) This was well worth the visit since it gave us a chance to be outside (again, a BEAUTIFUL day), and it allowed Leah plenty of time to explore and walk around. Leah wasn't too interested in the Indian forts and artifacts, but boy, did she love all the LEAVES! I mean, you don't see such colorful leaves here at home! At least she was a bit more interested in the ships we saw a little later on. The final exhibit was "Jamestown" (recreated, of course). Funny how much home-life/ homes have changed since then. We saw a little two-room house that might have been the governor's quarters. Two rooms that would have fit in our living room!

Our time this weekend flew by, but at least the memories will last. And in case we forget, there are photos.

Life as a SAHM

I think some wonder what we SAHMs do all day. I mean, it's pretty obvious what a working spouse does: he goes to work. Plus, even if we're not exactly sure of what he actually DOES at work, at least we see the rewards (the paycheck). Unfortunately, for us SAHMs, it's harder to "see" what we do all day (or the rewards. Well, we can see the rewards, but they aren't as immediate as a paycheck). I know that I've had days where I've wondered what I've done all day, or at least why I haven't been as productive as I had hoped. (Recently, someone said that her husband can still be productive while watching their young daughter. Of course, if the tables were turned, she wouldn't have been as productive. I allot that to a child's NEED for mom's attention-- after all, mom's home all day-- versus being content just with dad's presence.)

There is never a shortage of tasks, though some are more pleasant than others. Some I can accomplish with my faithful sidekick (running errands, going walking), while others are best reserved for naptimes (reading my devotions, working out, blogging, scrapbooking, reading). Notice the discrepancy in the list? Funny how I can't accomplish as much as I'd like while Leah's up and about.

I think most people who read this blog happen to be SAHMs, so they can relate. For the few who aren't, though, let me list the various tasks associated with being a SAHM and homemaker (for they are linked):

*feed, clothe, discipline, entertain, change, bathe the kid (add mediate and placate to this item if you have more than one kid)
*clean--- everything (Have you seen how much destruction one kid can cause in five minutes? Now you know why Leah doesn't have a lot of toys)
*run errands (bank, grocery, Target, etc.)
*keep track of birthdays and holidays/ send gifts/ cards
*pay bills
*organize/ attend playdates (for the kid's happiness & mom's sanity)
*pack for visits or vacations (this is an occasional task, but a necessary one)
*decorate the house (so this one is fun, but it requires patience and thought. If I had an unlimited bank account, well, then it would only require thought.)
*plan & cook meals
*relax... notice this is at the END of the list. This item is elusive, especially since so many others require my attention during the day.

I'm sure I've neglected a few items, and I know that this list isn't the same for all SAHMs. Still, you get the idea. Life as a SAHM is hard work, but I wouldn't trade it for any other profession.

Blueberry Carnage

Round 1: The blueberries boldly approach Lightening-Lips Leah. Leah's strategy: ignore them, giving them a false sense of confidence.

Round 2: In an attempt to dodge Leah's poking fingers, the frozen berries begin thawing. Unfortunately, their plan backfires, as their icy juiciness simply numbs Leah's fingers to any punches they might land.

Round 3: Knockout! Leah handily devours the first wave of berries, then eagerly asks for more ("Bring it on, blueberries! I can TOTALLY take you!"). Despite the obvious blueberry carnage (see photo), Leah emerges unscathed and satisfied.

When Did This Happen?

I prepared myself for this day, I truly did. But I never expected it to actually happen. Or maybe I just never expected it to affect me how it has. Leah's not a baby anymore, and, truth be told, that saddens me just a bit.

Instead of my sweet baby girl, there's a sweet toddler in our home. A little girl who loves hiding behind the curtains or being chased around the house (FYI: the Poang chair in the family room is base, as is the toy kitchen refrigerator in the office). A little girl who delights in digging in the dirt or collecting sticks (supposedly so that she can help her daddy build a fire in the fireplace come colder weather). A little girl who loves dancing or cuddling up with a book (hmmm, wonder whom she gets that from?). A little girl who knows that snacktime means pulling her chair up to the rug to watch Blue's Clues or The Wiggles while munching on a cheese stick or Goldfish.

When did this happen? Others warned me it would happen in the blink of an eye... but it happened much faster than that.

A Renewed Respect

Some of you know that Scott's hours have been less than desirable as of late. (He's been working nights going on three weeks now.) This schedule hasn't been easy on anyone: he works wicked long hours/ days (30+ hours of OT the first week!); Leah is lucky if she sees him for 15 minutes; and I'm trying to maintain my sanity by the end of the day. Still I know that this schedule is only temporary. There is an end to all this.

Which brings me to the point of this post: I have always (well, more so since becoming a mom since I really had no clue before that) respected "single" moms, but I now have a renewed respect for them. (I use "single" to refer to not only those who aren't married, but those whose husbands aren't around much to help out, whether that's because of a deployment or a busy travel schedule for work.) Honestly, I admire how they can stay "on" each day for hours on end. How they can provide for and maintain their household. How they can keep themselves together (perhaps out of sheer necessity) when they feel like falling apart.

For all those ladies, I admire your resolve, determination, and the fierce love you must have for your children (and husbands) that motivates you each day. You are an inspiration to moms everywhere.

Tutu Cute

I made Leah a tutu since she loves to dance. (Consequently, she'll be a ballerina for Halloween.) Upon showing her the tutu, she immediately wanted to put it on. Well, you can see for yourself how much she loves it!

Circle(s) of Friends

Over the past few weeks, I've become more and more aware of how grateful I am for the friends that I have. (Please don't think this means I was ever ungrateful or unappreciative of them!) Really, this understanding has arisen because of a better understanding of myself-- who I am and what I can offer to my friends.

Different friends fulfill different needs. There are those who help generate ideas or spark creativity. Others I want to be around simply because they're fun people to hang with. (Again, not to imply other friends aren't. Actually, I have friends that fit this need because I don't consider myself to be the "fun" one. Not like that's a negative, it's just who I am.) A handful of friends are quiet, but maybe that's why we connect: we understand each other's quietness and can really talk about what's happening in our lives. And of course, I have a few friends who are "soul" friends: we just "get" each other, and so we can be totally real with each other.

Though we generally use the term "circle of friends", I wonder if we should call it morphing figure of friends, instead. After all, people move in and out of our lives, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Some move away. Sometimes life circumstances change. Specifically, I think about all my friends from college. We're not as close as we once were, but we're still able to pick right back up when we do have a chance to get together. We knew each other so well, doing life together, so we're bonded forever. And though I might not always acknowledge important dates in their lives, I think about them, and remember our good times together.

Sometimes I wonder how many best friends a girl could have, especially since I feel like I have several. (They might not reciprocate the label, but that's okay with me.) These are the women with whom I have history or a past, though some history is briefer than others. These are the women who know my fears and insecurities, but also my joys and successes. These are the ones I want to call up and spend time with regularly.

To all my friends, thank you. I have been blessed because of your friendship.

And So It Begins

I had heard that around half-birthdays children start morphing into little monsters, yet I hadn't actually experienced that yet with our sweet little Leah... until Wednesday. Oh my! That morning, Leah let loose with the mother of all tantrums (well, at least that she had demonstrated thus far), and thankfully, she felt comfortable enough doing so in front of an audience.

Granted, this tantrum wasn't as bad as some (that I've heard about). In fact, it was slightly amusing, if only because it was such a shift in temperament for my little honey girl. Of course, that didn't negate my desire for it to be over, if only so that I could hug her.

So here's what happened:

Wednesday morning, Leah and I met Alison and Will at the playground. All was going well, until Leah wanted to be held. Not really a problem-- initially. Then she BIT me! "Uh-uh! No bite, Leah!" I scolded, and then put her down. And that was all it took. The floodgates opened and the siren started wailing. Then came the "pick-me-up" dance which consisted of feet stomping and arm reaching. Oh joy!

Alison (a seasoned veteran when it comes to tantrums since Will's older than Leah) and I just talked over the tantrum, doing our best to ignore Leah's cries for attention. I kept waiting, in fact, I was WILLING her to stop for just a few seconds so that I could pick her up (I refused to pick her up while she was crying, and thus reinforce the tantrum), but she persisted... for a good 15 to 20 minutes. (Even Will, sweet boy, tried consoling her, but to no avail.)

Thankfully, she finally settled long enough for me to pick her up, hug her, and reassure her, before loading her up in the car to go home.

I know that this is just the first of many tantrums. I just hope that I will be as amused as I was on Wednesday.

18 Months

My baby girl turned 18 months old last Friday. 18 months! How is this possible, especially when I don't feel 1.5 years older than when I had her?

Our little miss had her check-up today, and aside from the relatively small vocabulary (more later), all is well. She's still little (25th percentile for height -- 31"-- and weight -- 23 lbs), but that's okay by me. And I'm not even that concerned about the vocabulary issue, thanks to reassurance from friends and family (and the fact that Leah understands everything).

Here are some tidbits about Miss Leah:

*Words: mama, baby, uh-oh, hi. The scarce amount is what concerned the LPN today, but then I told her that Leah also says animal sounds (for elephant, rooster, sheep, pig, dog, lion/ tiger, cow), and she thought those might constitute as words.

*Self-expression: Leah loves draping her pink feather boa around her neck... along with wearing my apron as a cape. Oh, and then she likes to top it off with all FIVE bows in her hair. Funny how there was a time when she was resistant to wearing ANY bow, and now she actually "asks" for all of them. What usually happens is I'll pull out her bows so that she can choose which one she wants to wear. Lately, she'll point to one, I'll put it in, and then she'll point to another (or she'll simply pick it up and try to put it in her hair). I'm sure the sight of five bows in her hair raises some eyebrows (it certainly elicits comments), but if that's how she wants to exercise her independence, so be it.

*Dance: Leah LOVES to dance. She'll turn on one of her musical toys and then start dancing in circles around the family room. When the music stops, she'll walk over and start it up again. When she wants to mix it up a bit, she'll dance to music she hears in the background (tv or radio), or she'll simply "ask" us to turn on the iPod or radio.

*Games: Leah's favorite game is a combination of hide-and-seek and chase, and it usually takes place after dinner (who knows why). What happens is she'll run into the dining room to "hide" by the window (she "hides" by standing in front of the window with her back to us; she doesn't even hide behind the curtain!). Scott or I will then seek her, looking under the table or behind a chair before "discovering" her at the window. Just as we're about to "tag" her, she'll run into the family room and cop a squat on the hearth, which is apparently "base". This can entertain her for MINUTES!!!

*Favorite Daddy Activities: Venturing down to the basement. Exploring the great outdoors and the porch swing Scott made us. Going for shoulder rides throughout the house (Leah now tries to climb on Scott's shoulders if he's just holding her).

*One more tidbit, though this is more of a story: At dinner, Scott and I sit opposite each other with Leah between us at the end of the table. We're both attentive to what she might need, but obviously Leah has a certain way of doing things. So last night, she asked for her milk, which was sitting on the table. Scott passed it to her, and then told her to give it back to him when she was done (she usually does). Apparently, she wanted ME to take the milk, for she extended her cup in my direction. I couldn't, so I told her to give it to Scott. Wouldn't you know it, she just LOOKED at me, as if to say, "Uh, Mom? I want YOU to take it." Scott managed to take the cup and put it back on the table. Not even two seconds later, Leah asked for it again. I don't even remember if she took a sip, but I do know that she held it out to me AGAIN, but more forcefully this time. I think she actually tried staring me down so that I'd take the cup! (No, I didn't give in, but Scott and I both had a good laugh.)

I'm sure there's more to share, but I can't think of what's new for her at this stage. I just know that we have a very sweet baby girl who still enjoys cuddling in my lap and reading a book, or who wants to help in whatever way she can (throwing away trash, sweeping the floors, putting away dishes, you get the idea). I love her more and more each day, and I'm so grateful for all the time we have together.

Confessions of a Facebook Failure

The time has come to admit what most of you (well, those of you on Facebook) already know: I am a FB failure. Now, in this "everybody-wins-a-medal-just-for-showing-up" society, maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but let's be honest, people. How often do you see a status update from me, much less any other type of update?
It's not that I want to be a failure; that's certainly not in my nature (I'm a recovering perfectionist), but I've discovered that I'm just not all that interested in what FB has to offer, which means, I don't really care if I fail (at it).
1. Games & such. Here's how much I use those features: I don't even know what other applications are offered! I don't play online games too often, and when I do, I gravitate toward Majjong Titans which came standard on my PC.
2. Photos. This is a feature I use (and view), but I often forget to since I'm more likely to post photos here (on the blog). Why be redundant?
3. Status updates. Updating my status on a regular basis means accessing the computer daily, which doesn't always happen (sometimes by choice, sometimes not). I suppose doing so would be easier with a fancy cell phone (you do know mine is a standard PHONE-- no bells or whistles-- that's hardly ever on, right?) or a laptop, but we have space for a PC, and I'm accustomed to it, so why switch to something only for its portability? Even with improved accessibility, I doubt that my status update frequency would improve. I have a hard enough time thinking of blog topics sometimes; how would I ever maintain a steady stream of status updates?
4. Staying informed. You know those updates some of you regularly post? Well, if I'm lucky, I'll read one of them every other month or so (well, maybe a little more often than that). Yes, I'm serious. When I log in, (about once a week, though sometimes more) I scroll down the first page, quickly scanning the updates. If I remember to, I might pop over to the photo section, but most times, I've already logged out (unless there's been an exceptionally interesting or provocative update).
My failure to utilize FB "properly" is not without its irony: I joined to stay/ get connected, but I'm just as dis-connected now as ever. Yet despite all this, I don't plan on closing my account anytime soon. After all, how else would I stay (pseudo) connected?

Full but not Unmanageable

You'd think that since I blog on a weekly basis, I'd have a long list of topics. If only. Often, I'll get an idea for a post, but at the most inopportune time, like bedtime. I suppose I could keep a notepad and pen by my bed for those moments, but then I'd focus on writing rather than sleeping. And, truth be told, sometimes writing comes more naturally to me than sleeping, so if it's time for bed, well, then I probably should focus on sleeping.

All that to say, I'm not sure where this post is going. I know, not the best admission to make, especially considering my training as a teacher. I do know the topic, though: life.

I (foolishly) thought that summer would mean slowing down. Ha! I suppose I anticipated a slowdown since MOPS was done. My Fridays were free once again. Silly me.

Plus, being summer, that meant that more friends would be traveling, and thus, fewer playdates and get-togethers. Silly me.

Summer is seamlessly blending into fall. More often than not, our summer days have been filled with activities: playdates, swimming, walking, the occasional "field trip", library visits. A slow down? Hardly.

Yet, I don't begrudge our busyness, probably because I've chosen to be busy. I look forward to our various activities, some scheduled, some spontaneous. We've had a few weeks that felt non-stop, but those were sandwiched between relatively low-key ones. And there's ALWAYS downtime scheduled in. Always.

Basically, life is even fuller with Leah. I don't want to waste our moments together, even though she's too little to remember all of them. There's so much life to live, and so much to do. We might not be as busy as others, and our activities might not be as spectacular, but we're doing our best to make the most of each day.

Besides, isn't the point of all this busyness to spend time with the people I love the most?

We're Back!

Below you'll find photos from our week-long vacation in NY. We spent most of the time relaxing and enjoying the chance to visit with family (and friends-- briefly), though Scott did manage to build a porch swing for me and Leah while we were there.

MONDAY

Leah & her cousins LOVED this pink wig; as soon as it fell off, Leah wanted to wear it again.

We went to the fair that morning. Leah loved the animals, but especially the goats, probably because they were the perfect height for her to pet... and they clamored for attention.

Our timing couldn't have been better; just as we were finishing lunch (after having visited the animals), the skies opened up. Leah finished lunch while watching her cousins Kate & Mila play in the rain. As soon as she was finished, she was ready to get out there, too.

Mila

Kate

The girls check out the alpacas. At one point, both younger ones tried crawling through the gate.

Sharing a snack, and playing with a balloon. The ladies at the Crisis Pregnancy Center Tent hooked up the girls with balloons and coloring books.

TUESDAY

Leah taught herself how to "wash" her hair. She'd dip her hands in the watering turtle, then rub them through her hair. Too funny!

Guess who was worn out after a morning at the playground? She fell asleep FIVE minutes from the house, which meant that a certain someone didn't take a nap that afternoon.

Leah had a great time playing with Mila at the playground. Leah especially loved the slides, oh, and running away from me!

WEDNESDAY

Jason, Amelia, & Connor, as well as Amelia's mom Barbara joined us for some rest and relaxation. That afternoon the kids donned their swimsuits and braved the chilly water.

Amelia & I did a workout outside while the kids played in the pool. Periodically, Leah would walk over to exercise with us. Here she's stretching.

That morning, we went to Roger's (Papa's) shop to check out the machines. Connor was in little boy heaven! See the toy in Connor's hand? That was permanently attached during the visit; he found that in Roger's office the night they arrived, and didn't put it down until they left on Thursday.

Leah wasn't as interested in the machines as Connor was; mainly, she just wanted to go where Scott or Connor went.

THURSDAY

Picking flowers with Grandma and Kate in between dips in the pool.

Chasing after Mila. Leah LOVED playing in the fresh air with her cousins.

FRIDAY

That morning we went to Grandma's (Great Grandma to Leah). Leah emptied out the doll stroller and made herself comfortable.

We thought Leah might be hungry, but it turned out, she just wanted to feed Papa some Goldfish.

Look at this girlie-girl. So much for me wearing that necklace.

Gives Me the Willies

Yes, that is a SNAKE. And yes, it is INSIDE the house. (Well, WAS inside.)

Saturday afternoon, while Leah was sleeping and I was gone, Scott was in the man room doing some rearranging. He noticed something brown along the wall by the stairs, and thinking it was just a worm, he picked it up with a tissue. It most definitely wasn't a worm since it crumbled in the tissue. "Great. It's probably animal poop," he thought, so he went searching the man room for a mole or chipmunk (they abound in the yard).

By now you've figured out that he didn't find a mole or a chipmunk; instead, when he opened up the blinds to the patio, he found a 3-foot long black snake. Oh my! Scott jumped backwards OVER the sofa in an instant. He was NOT going to mess with that bugger.

Fast forward a couple hours: the animal control officer showed up and removed the snake. Of course, he and Scott had to LOCATE it at that point since it was no longer by the patio door. Ugh. Thankfully, it had slithered just under the couch.

The good news about all this? According the ACO, the snake was TRYING to get out of the house since it (the house) is too cold for it. The bad news? The snake probably followed something else (prey) in. Gross. I'm hoping its prey was just an insect (which do turn up in the basement). At least the ACO gave us some good advice: mothballs. Apparently, snakes (and I guess other critters, too) can't stand the smell, so if we place them around the house, it should deter the snakes. So guess what Scott bought first thing Sunday morning before church? Our house is now under mothball protection. Let's hope they work.