and all these things… March 27, 2009

yesterday, i was looking at alex’s cute shoes, thinking that it would be fun to get her another pair so that she has some options, and that maybe i could justify getting the cheaper brand at target, even though in reality her shoes basically serve to keep her socks on and she has no need for another pair, and i’m trying to be a good steward of our resources, etc. but oh, baby shoes are cute! a little while later, i checked my email and had a facebook message telling me that i had won a free pair of isabooties! it was part of a giveaway i had entered a few months ago and forgotten, and this week i happened to be one of the daily winners. hurrah! so i got busy and picked out this pair in the size that alex will be ready for this summer.

i’m thinking that God might be laughing at me a little in all of this. when i quit my job to stay home with alex, the numbers didn’t really make sense on paper, but we were pretty confident that it was the right decision for our family, and took a step of faith that our needs would be met. lately, i’ve been feeling a little anxious about our needs. daniel is working hard and doing a great job of providing for us, and skreened is a growing, profitable business, which in itself is quite a feat in this economy. but we’re still catching up from the beginning of skreened and our investment in it, and we have employees to support, and our health insurance is way more than we had thought it would be because alex has a pre-existing condition which isn’t that big of a deal in her life, but is for the insurance companies, and so i’ve been a bit of a worrier, even though we always have just what we need. and then God goes ahead and gives me a free pair of hip, eco-friendly baby shoes. and free starbucks last week when i was grumbling because daniel wanted to buy a latte for a friend. and free tip top for him the night before when i was grumbling because he was going out with a friend who really needed his support at the time. silly me. maybe it’s time to stop the worrying.

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nine months March 26, 2009

nine months

Originally uploaded by amy joy

alex turned nine months old today. to celebrate, we went the the conservatory to see the butterflies. ok – we didn’t really go to celebrate, but we did go to hang out with sarain and mink, and to get out of the house. usually the conservatory is pretty quiet on weekdays, but apparently it is spring break and it was a rainy day, so lots of parents seemed to think that seeing the annual butterfly exhibit would be a great way to spend quality time with their children. we quickly left the butterfly room and checked out the other wings, including this fountain, at which alex finally discovered the art of splashing.

doesn’t she look kind of grown-up? this picture is a little deceptive – while she stands pretty well when we stand her against something, alex isn’t pulling herself up or cruising yet. she also isn’t doing a full-on official crawl, but gets around quite nicely with her army crawl. she has chosen her first word (aside from “mama” and “dada,” which are a little hit and miss with their accuracy.) the big word is “cat”! it sounds a little more like “tat,” and she uses it for both the cat and the dog, but she definitely knows that it is the word for her pets, and does a pretty good job of pointing out cats in her books. she also says “hi” (more like “ha!”) while waving, which she likes to do a lot. she’s getting increasingly social, and seems to really like being around people. overall, she’s turning into a pretty happy, easy-going child, which i am so, so thankful for. she does have strong opinions, but generally is really a lot of fun.

March 23, 2009

so, those of you who know me well – does it fit?

Take the Quiz here!

happy spring! March 21, 2009

the times here are busy busy busy. every time i think about blogging, i want to wait until i have the perfect picture, or i would rather be outside, or the baby needs something. but now she (and daniel) is sleeping, it’s too dark to go outside, and all i’m doing is watching supernanny teach basic anger management skills and common sense consistency.

this story about michelle obama planting a ktichen vegetable and herb garden on the white house lawn makes me very happy, and even more excited about my own garden! last week my parents were here and dad went the extra mile by setting up and filling the two cedar square foot garden beds that he made for us. both of my parents went the extra mile, as usual – mom vacuumed air ducts, washed lots of dishes and raked lots of leaves that were left over from last fall. dad set up the beds, did odd jobs around the house, and treated us all to a lovely dinner at our neighborhood fine dining establishment. and, of course, both of them spent lots of time making alex giggle. mom came a couple of days before dad, and taught alex how to “ride the horse,” which was, in fact, mom’s foot. she also taught her peek-a-boo with a blanket, which is alex’s new favorite game.

since they left on sunday, we’ve gotten more done outside – gridding the garden beds, raking more leaves, buying seeds, etc. i’m hoping to plant my early crops tomorrow. alex does a great job of playing on a blanket in the yard while i putter around in an attempt to be productive. i’ve only had to dig a leaf out of her mouth twice, which isn’t too bad considering that she still examines pretty much everything with her mouth.

i’ve been thinking lately about how being a mother impacts the way i feel about life and particularly tragedy. for example, i’ve found myself feeling pretty strong sorrow at the death of natasha richardson, the actress who had a freak ski accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury this week. i would have been sad before having a child, but somehow, the thought of two young boys living life so fully and then losing their mother so suddenly and unexpectedly really hits me deeply and intensely – earthly life is so fragile, and we have no way of knowing when it might end. it could have just as easily been alex losing a mother suddenly. i don’t want to take life for granted. at the same time, i don’t want to live in fear. of course, i believe that life is eternal, and i really don’t think i fear death, but i would prefer to be around for my daughter as long as possible, y’know?

on that note, i must get some sleep. happy weekend! get some sunshine.

March 9, 2009

when i was seven years old, i met the girl who would become my first kindred spirit. we both loved books, horses and anne of green gables. we had many overnights at each other’s houses, often involving hours of us each reading our respective books, or playing boxcar children in the woods behind her house. deb was two years older than me, so she usually did things first – going to taylor, getting married, getting her masters degree, etc. pretty much the only thing i did first was have a daughter – but she wasn’t far behind, as beautiful little silvia was born in portland, oregon, this morning – two weeks overdue and after being in off and on labor since thursday night!

silvia is one of the luckiest girls in the world, blessed as she is with deb and nate for parents. they are thoughtful and kind and wonderful people, and are going to do an amazing job of cultivating her spirit as she grows, teaching her to treat the world and others with respect and integrity. who knows? maybe we’ll move to portland one day, and alex will have her own kindred spirit.

welcome to the world, little girl, and know that you are loved!