Round 2

Two months out from our daughter's 3rd birthday, my hubby and I have achieved pregnancy once again. That's right dear reader, we are officially expecting baby Number 2 sometime in May. Personally, I am elated and terrified all at the same time. Raising baby number 2 should be easier right? I mean, we've already managed to produce one mostly sweet little toddler. But, whoa momma, the thought of 2 am feedings and wrangling tiny little person whose head flops all around kinda makes me hyperventilate a little! All in good time I guess because we're very excited (not for 2 am feedings) for all of the little wonders that come with a new little one.

Breakfast Anyone?

"Don't mess with the bull young man, or you'll get the horns!"

Lovely. The hubby and I rented The Breakfast Club the other night. It was a delight to watch it snuggled in bed with my man and a dark chocolate Dove bar. True bliss like that is hard to come by when your the mom of a toddler and working full time.

As we watched I did a mental "where are they now?" of the cast. I relished in the witty one liners and drooled over the drama of it all, perhaps it is because my high school years were mostly drama free, and I didn't feel pigeon-holed into any one "group". Okay, some of you would say I was a band geek, but you'd have to admit, that wasn't really that restricting socially (Was it?). Albeit I have used the phrase, "This one time at band camp..."

It was true heaven on earth. Here's to good times!

Dear reader, have you had any blissful moments lately?

Moments with You

Our mornings are rush, rush, rush. Half the time I have to drag Sweet P out of her warm bed, squiggle her into her clothes and shuffle her out the door. On the other mornings, she is generally laying on the carpet (balled up in a fuzzy blanket) outside the bathroom door. On those days, as soon as I step out of the shower I hear a sweet low, "Mommy I up." Then she watches Qubo while I attempt the make myself presentable for the world.

I truly try to streamline things so that we can be as efficient and stress free as possible. Over the past year, I've learned to contain, to my own little world up in my head, my anxious feelings and the urge to scream, "Move it!" when some one's not moving fast enough. So, mornings are not my favorite, BUT once we are all belted, situated and the car hits the main road - THAT'S one of my favorite moments in the day.

I love to listen to Sweet P chatter if she's feeling, well, chatty. And seriously no one is more hilarious to listen to than a toddler on a roll. Other mornings I adore how she snuggles up with her blanket and gazes out the window. She's become quite fond of requesting music. This week it's Thank God I'm A Country Boy, by John Denver and God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy by some dude whose name escapes me at the moment. I'm not knocking John Denver, but this is off my husband's play list, which she seems MOST fond of.

As we drive the sun rises and cars whiz by. We pass the time talking about how foggy it is along the river, what fun surprises her teachers might have planned for today, and about all her family. Once in awhile she'll wiggle her body or bob her head in time with the music; I am ALWAYS told not to sing (bummer). It's the best time just me and Sweet P in our own peaceful world for about 20 minutes before the craziness of the day sets in as school.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Another year has been logged into the history books as I turned 33 today. Whatever happened to my 20s? Somehow that decade simply whizzed by. Thirty-three sounds sooooo old, so full of responsibility and obligations. Hmmmm.

All in all, I'm doing better than I deserve though. I have a job (a wonder in today's economy), a comfortable home with a fabulous backyard surrounded by woodlands, a wonderful hardworking husband, a beautiful & smart little girl, a huge supportive family, my health, and some irreplaceable friends. Certainly I am not at loss for blessings. It often takes my breath away as to how much God has graced me with. It's taken thirty-three years to get here, and with each passing year I learn to appreciate each of these things more.

What blessings have you come to appreciate in your life?

Back to School Musings

I take a sigh of relief as I sit on the eve ending the first week of school. It's been such a roller coaster week, but it's all onward and upward from here (I hope). I am loving my new students. They seem sweet and eager to learn, they have not yet become jaded "I am too cool for you lady," middle school students. Over the course of the week I have answered a hundred million questions ranging between When do we eat? Which folder do I put my math in? Why is your hair curly? Will I need a pencil this week? Can I call my mom because I forgot my (first) homework assignment? Although it's a bit flustrating (is this even a real word) I've tried to ease their concerns so that they left for the weekend with smiles instead of stress induced wrinkles in their young little foreheads.

At this time of year I am so torn! I actually enjoy returning to school even though the pace of working full time tests my sanity. But it is so agonizing dropping Sweet P off as school each day. She seems to love it, she's learning TONS more than she would at home hanging out with little ole' me, and really, she needs to be around some other kids. This is life - I know, I know, but..... she's a great, no SUPER, kid and I feel like I am missing out on so much when I work full time and she's at school. I'm sure I'll get used to it in a few weeks time, but I think I'm taking this transition harder than she is. I really miss my baby during the day.

All in all, it's not a bad gig - work for nine months, three months off. I suppose it's like having the best of both worlds. I get to be full time working mom AND stay at home mom. Still waiting around for that "stay at home mom that gets paid full time" position.