Learning and growing...

So my child has started learning some new things. I have always enjoyed when she was moving on to doing and saying new things, but I'll be honest with you, I'm not quite prepared. She has become a bit precocious, and I'm not sure what to do with her. I never thought it would be so hard to discipline your child while holding back laughter. It's especially hard when you want to take a picture and still make sure she knows that what she does is a "no-no".

While my child is still quite unsteady on her feet (what we attribute to her growing so tall in a short amount of time), she has learned that if she throws her leg up, she can crawl up on the couch or into the tub. Let me just tell you, I am completely unprepared for this. I thought it was a ways off into the future. She has also learned that if she takes all of her books out of the basket, it quite nicely makes a new place for her to sit.

Oh the joys of being at home and witnessing all of these things firsthand. :)

The day Emma decided that she would get into the tub by herself, fully clothed.

Growing up so fast - learning to text already.

Her new chair - and also giving the "cheese" face.

D-Suite Reunion...

So this past week, Emma and I had the opportunity to drive up north to visit some friends of mine from college. We left Roanoke on Thursday and spent the afternoon and evening with my wonderful college roommate, Leah and her daughter, Gabby.

The next morning, we set out for the Hoffman's home in Ohio. After a long, but successful trip, we reached our destination. There we got to see Christy, Liz, Becki, and Allison. It was so nice to see everyone!

Emma enjoying the playset at the Hoffmans...

Alli and Emma hanging out (Emma "cheesing" it)...

Leah, Liz, Allison, Becki, and Emma


Becki, Gina, Christy, and Allison

Who loves STARBUCK'S? We do!

Leah, Christy, and Liz


And then on Sunday, the girls threw a baby shower for Allison! A complete surprise!

Leah, Gabby, and I just chilling...

The pregnant ladies - Christy (23 weeks) and Allison (33 weeks)

GABBY! :)

Emma and Gabby in their matching outfits. Future roommates?!

Unfortunately, throughout the weekend, since I was constantly chasing my goon around, I wasn't able to take a whole lot of pictures. However, the fun times, wonderful conversation, creative food ideas - will be wonderful memories for me.

It was such a nice time to get together with these girls. Some I haven't seen since college. Can't wait until next year!

A new start...

So today, I decided that upon all the other crazy things that happens to be going on right now, I would sit down and figure out blogger. As you can see, it has actually happened, and my list of to do items has not been diminished one iota. I mean, I have my priorities in order, right? Blog and then take care of Emma... really, I'm just kidding. But she is at the moment taking all of my movies from under the tv and making a mess. But who am I to say what is or isn't fun for Emma? Only she knows, and since she seems to be content, I will continue on blogging.

It seems to me that my life has basically boiled down to consisting of a couple of things.

1. Cleaning - I feel as though I am constantly picking up toys, wiping up messes, filling and emptying the dishwasher, LAUNDRY and lots of it, dishes, wiping hands, faces, and noses, and just trying to basically keep my household free of disaster. Let me just tell you this is utterly the most tiring job in the world.

2. Compromising - My life has turned into a world of compromise. What I used to take for granted - having time to hang out with my husband, a clean house, eating out... has all been part of becoming a mother. "Us" time (meaning Jon and my time) has been relocated to after Emma goes to bed. Our house isn't always clean. Eating out happens less often.

3. Caretaking - Taking care of my husband and his needs, taking care of Emma and her needs, taking care of Fudge and her needs... lol. My life has boiled down to a list of to do's - shopping, remembering birthdays, nursery (ahhh!), finances, what I call man jobs - getting the car's oil changed, mowing, and vacuuming out the car... the list goes on. I am constantly trying to keep my list updated with everything that has been relegated to what needs to be done to keep our lives in a semblance of order.

While all three of the C's above may sound like complaints - they are mostly there to remind me of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. I always knew that life wasn't going to be easy, but being a full-time wife and mother is the hardest, yet most rewarding job I have ever had in my life.

I may not get paid monetarily, but every kiss from my husband and grin from my daughter is more than I could ever ask for. God has truly blessed my life.

Every day that I have that I get a chance of taking care of the needs of Jon and Emma is a wonderful day. To get wet smooches from Emma or to see that silly grin on her face when I do something goofy is the most wonderful feeling in the world. When I get an offer of help from my husband to make my list smaller or to help me out in a small way shows me his love and thanks for what I do.

I have the best job in the world. I pray that I never forget that and that I remember I am the most blessed person in the world.