Better Late Than Never

This amaryllis is a sweet surprise every time I walk by my dining room. It was supposed to be part of my Christmas decor but it just now bloomed this week.

Sorry about the lack of blogging this week. Between starting my job this week and spending every spare moment eating my sons cheeks...there just hasn't been time to do much updating.

It's funny, I don't know if any other working mothers feel this way, but I think I would have happily gone back to work during the first couple of weeks after Jackson was born because it would have been a reprieve from how hard it was at home. Between the sleepless nights, constant crying, blow out diapers and throbbing boobs...a few hours at the office would have been nice. But, in the last few weeks, basically since just before Christmas, my baby has gotten so fun! He coos and talks, smiles a ton, loves to 'stand,' grab at his toys and rarely cries anymore. Now, it's way harder to leave him, even for a few hours because I don't want to miss out.

And to completely change the subject, I need some easy dinner recipes. I'm bored with what I have in rotation...please please share your ideas and recipes with me.

Full Circle

This questionaire was my very first post a year ago. So...to celebrate my one year blogging anniversary and because it's fun to look back and compare, I decided to do it again.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
went to hawaii, got pregnant and gave birth (in that order...)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolution was to get moer organized...since I mostly failed at it, I think I'll take another stab at it in 2009.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
It was the year of babies...several friends and family members had babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Both Aaron and I lost our grandpa's this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
No countries...but several counties. Does that count?

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Jeans that give good ass

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 23 -- the day my son was born. The absolute most amazing day of my entire life.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The birth of Jackson Eugene and my emergence as a mother

9. What was your biggest failure?
I had lots of work drama in 2008 and I think I could have channeled my frustration better and been more professional.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Bob Jogger -- I've only used it a few times, but it's hands down my favorite 'kid thing' and Jackson loves it too.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Trisha who stayed with me from the minute I went into labor all the way through delivery. She was an amazing friend and support system for me. (Not to say Aaron wasn't incredible, but he had to be there...she didn't)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I'm pleading the fifth on this one...

14. Where did most of your money go?
House, baby, groceries

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The birth of my baby -- I'm seeing a theme here. 2008 was the year of the baby.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Colbie Caillat -- Realize

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?b) thinner or fatter?c) richer or poorer?
happie, fatter and richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time with my family specifically my brothers

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I had eaten less sweets, complained about life less and worried less

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Five jam packed days with Aaron's family in the snowstorm of the decade.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Oh yeah...he's a bit on the chuncky side, doesn't have much hair but he's the baby of my dreams.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope

24. What was the best book you read?
Grace Eventually by Ann Lamott

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lucille and Kanye West -- American Boy (my inner hip hop 13-year-old self loves this song!)

26. What did you want and get?
A baby, a downstairs bathroom, riding boots

27. What did you want and not get?
A new job -- although I did secure one for 2009, details coming!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The business of being born

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Spent it at Willows Lodge (which I highly reccomend), I turned 26

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Honestly, nothing. It was a fantastic year. There are always small things but nothing could have made it immeasurably more satisfying.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Preppy casual

32. What kept you sane?
My husband, Starbucks, good friends, excersizing and blogging

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmm...probably any celebrity who was pregnant.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Presidential race

35. Who did you miss?
My family

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I met so many! Some great friendships were forged in 2008

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
God's plan is always better than my plan. (Sounds ridiculously cheesy but I've lived it this year...)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I'm passing on this one because I can't honestly even think of an appropriate song.

Christmas Recap

Christmas was...

getting loved on by aunts and uncles,a radio flyer wagon,

a happy baby,

meeting cousins for the very fist time,matching jammies,
silly hats

snowboarding in the street

Not pictured is clearance sale shopping, a date night, sleep deprived parents because a baby who shall remain nameless decided sleeping at grandme and grandpa's house was silly and near constant shoveling due to the ridiculous amount of snow. I noticed this morning that Spokane made the national news because of all the snow they have received.

We are back now and trying to get back into a routine. Jackson got his first cold, which has meant laying low the last couple of days. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be turning into anything more than a little head cold and he's on the mend.

Happy Happy New Year! We have a babysitter for the very first time and are headed out for a seven course meal with friends. Aaron is a little nervous the food is going to be 'too fancy.' But, I think it's going to be a blast!

Bi-Polar

And like the flip of a switch, my child started sleeping seven hours at night and has been an absolute dream baby the last two days. Friday night he fell asleep in my arms at 8pm and I had a small revelation that the poor kid probably isn't getting enough sleep. Aaron and I worked really hard on Saturday to make sure he was taking plenty of naps and amazingly he has barely fussed in the last two days. I love these little windows of clarity God gives us.

My blog is named after my favorite book, Traveling Mercies by Ann Lamott. The book is about the author's journey to becoming a Christian and all the people who walked along side her. Those quiet moments where God speaks to us, whether it's about helping our kid to take more naps or way bigger things like making a life change or forgiving someone who has hurt us are traveling mercies. It can also be a kind word from a friend, a warm drink that takes the chill away or a small kindness from a stranger, but it's those moments where you feel God's presence in big and small ways.

I feel l ike I experienced a bit of traveling mercies this weekend...everything from my husbnds ecouragement, to seven straight hours of sleep last night to kind words from dear friends on this little blog.

The snow is falling outside, my baby is sleeping and my oven just beeped letting me know it's done pre-heating so I'm off to make my next batch of cookies. I am surrounded in traveling mercies.

I am blessed.

Balance

It's 10am and I am still in my bathrobe. Tumbleweeds of dog hair are swirling at my feet, the Christmas tree needs watering, the laundry changed out and I have freelance work to tackle. My coffee has been reheated at least three times this morning and every time I pass by a mirror, I notice how badly I need to pluck my eyebrows.

Sometimes being a mother is really hard. It's hard to balance taking care of someone else with the rest of life's responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, it's the best thing I've ever done and I wouldn't trade a single second, but sometimes...life just seems out of balance.

***

And...now it's 1:48pm and I still haven't finished this post. The baby is finally napping. Why are 8 week olds such little tyrants? Jack refuses to nap in his crib. He will sleep there all night long, but try and put him down during the day and he completely freaks out. He is now swaddled and sleeping in his swing.

I think I might attempt a shower.

On the horizon are big decisions about working. I have an offer on the table for a part-time position but it means finding some kind of childcare for the baby. I've looked at a few places but haven't found anything I feel comfortable with. On days like today, I'm itching to spend a few hours away from the house, doing something for myself.

I think the truth is, I'm nervous. Nervous to add another responsibility to an already full plate. So, we will see what the new year brings. Hopefully a better attitude on my part and a baby who is a little more willing to sleep!

My Boy

Our Little Cowboy

Aaron dressed Jackson this morning...can you tell?
Please notice he is wearing John Deere cowboy boots!

And because Jack always looks so serious, I thought I would post a picture of his silly side. It's funny, ten minutes ago I was ready to pull my hair out because he was being so fussy, then I look at these pictures and it all melts away. I would endure 100 more hours of fussing for 10 seconds of that smile.