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.