Monday's Child

 51 Weeks

Just look at that drool. Welcome to our lives now. At least Violet didn't eat the grass she is clutching in her hand. And at least it's finally warm enough outside to go outside and get some vitamin D!

We had a busy, busy weekend which involved leaving Violet with lots of people while we ran around. On Saturday, we dropped her off at the neighbor's house so we could visit one of Matt's coworkers in the hospital. Violet was greatly entertained next door and even got to take a walk with the boys. She was asleep when we returned and we actually had to wake her up from her nap because... it was Parents' Night Out at daycare and Matt and I were off on a date night! So we woke up the babe just to drop her off again. Fortunately she didn't seem too displeased. And we enjoyed a lovely night out courtesy of Matt's sweet grandma (Christmas gift cards, whoo hoo!).

Then Sunday we headed to church and left Violet in the nursery for the first time. Several people asked us how it went and my reply has been, "Well, they didn't page us!" So it can't have gone too badly. I'm glad that first time is over and it went well. Hopefully we can establish a good Sunday morning routine now. Sunday afternoon Matt's parents came up, with Aunt Judie and Aunt Ruth Ann (from Montana!) in tow and we had a lovely visit. Needless to say, I didn't get much crossed off the to-do list this weekend, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves.

Pretty in Pink

Violet shows off her latest chomper. Say "aaaaahhhhh"!

First time in her new outfit - drooled in in 2.4 seconds.

Showing Daddy where the "light!" is.

Smiling behind the paci.

Peace and Quiet

Sometimes you just gotta have some peace and quiet.

Free Time?

I read a fascinating article in the New York Times the other day (and I apologize for how pretentious that sentence sounds). For a while now I've been browsing the Motherlode blog (great name!) that appears in the Sunday Magazine. It is always full of interesting topics, from whether our girls are being indoctrinated by a Cinderella culture to what to do on yet another snow day "stuck" with the kids.

Anyway, this particular article addressed a study recently completed on how much free time parents have. It did a minute by minute breakdown of the day and basically concluded that after work, the commute, chores, taking care of the kids, cooking, sleeping... Parents basically have a mere 90 minutes to call their own each day.

I haven't calculated my own free time, but I do know that I have had days where I feel like my life isn't mine anymore. There's always something else to be done. Last night Matt gave Violet her bath and I was almost giddy by how much I accomplished while he had her occupied. I wish I could say that I used those precious few moments to prop my feet up or use the new facial mask I've been dying to try since I got it for my birthday. But no, I ran around the house like a mad woman, making bottles for the next day, cleaning the kitchen, starting a load of laundry. And it felt good to get those things crossed off the to-do list. And it makes me a little sad that I felt so accomplished afterward.

My own free time occurs in the time between when Violet goes to bed (8 or 8:30) and when I choose to pass out myself (anywhere between 8:30 and 11). I trade personal time for sleep. Sometimes I can't decide which is more vital. And of course, just because it's my time, doesn't mean I'm always doing things for me. As the comments in the above mentioned article prove, grocery shopping is allotted from "free" time. Um, grocery shopping is not something I do for pleasure!

I'm not complaining (I hear those snorts of disbelief). Life changes when you choose to start a family (note the verb choose. Because it was a choice for me and I accept everything that comes along with it). I wouldn't want it any other way. But I do wistfully miss those carefree days of making decisions on a whim, being spontaneous, when going out meant nothing more complicated than grabbing my car keys. I miss luxuriating in a long, hot shower without having one ear perked up for the sounds of a baby's cry (although my water bill thanks me immensely for my new, truncated showers).

What about you, Moms? Do you agree with the article's assessment of 90 minutes of free time? How do you enjoy those minutes? What do you miss most?

Monday's Child

50 Weeks

Bath time is still awfully fun around these parts! But you know what's not fun? Getting Violet dressed afterward. I have to wrestle her to the ground and practically throw myself on top of her to get her still enough to slap a diaper on. And of course, she wails the whole time. How long will this phase last?

Over the weekend, Mimi showed Violet a fun new trick - at Mimi's house, the ceiling fan/light is controlled via remote. Violet was fascinated. And what's the first thing she did when we came home? Grabbed the tv remote and pointed it at our ceiling fan! Alas, she did not get the same results. Ah well. Such is life, baby, get used to it.

So you know how I'm always keeping tabs on Violet's milestone progress (while I preach about how I don't believe in milestones, blah blah)? Well, I'm happy to report that I took a sneak peek at the 13 month list of "should be able to" accomplishments, and my Friend here is ahead of the game! She's already doing everything a whole month early! Ha! I think we can officially call her a "cruiser" now... she is making her way around the coffee table and to other pieces of furniture pretty darn well. She can also walk holding onto just one hand now. We have got to buy some baby gates, and quick!

May the Force Be With You

I'm sick today, home from school. I'll spare you the gory details. Suffice to say, I woke up feeling pretty rotten. But then I caught sight of the video below on my friend Jason's blog and it actually perked me up a bit. It's been making the internet/Facebook rounds today and you'll see it again on Superbowl Sunday (provided you're the commercial-watching type). Too cute. Exactly what I needed this morning. Happy Friday, everyone!

Having My Cake

Happy birthday to me!

We had dinner with the neighbors yesterday, and since it was my big birthday, A. made cupcakes in my honor. Yummy, right?

Note the far right side of the picture, as Violet goes in for the grab.

"You are going to let Violet have a cupcake to practice with, right?" I was asked. Huh? Apparently, come the big first birthday, some kids have been known to freeze up in front of their cake. "It takes forever for them to even stick a finger in... trust me, let her have one now so she gets used to it..."

Well, what the heck, right? It's a party, my party! And if I hadn't been born, well, Violet wouldn't be here either. It's a reason for her to celebrate, right? So even though I had planned for her first taste of cake to be at her own birthday, we decided to give her a little sneak peek so she could work the kinks out.

Violet shows no reservations as she dives face first into the cupcake.

Um, you have something on your face...

Practice? Who needs practice?!