What happens when an over-achiever goes domestic?

I used to think that being a mom would be boring or mundane. I thought my life would consist of dirty diapers, spit-up, brooms and laundry. Although those things are included, I've discovered how satisfying mom-hood can be. I've learned to find new outlets for my creativity and I've bonded with my sisters and other mom-friends in unexpected ways.

For instance, Linda and I started making cakes. We think it is so fun and we've had some really creative ones! We've also shared the joy of gardening and canning parts of our harvest. I never thought food storage could be so satisfying, but this morning, I picked a box of peaches from a tree in my backyard where the temperature outside was perfect, the ground was dewey, the peaches smelled so sweet, and the birds were singing loud and proud.. it was magical! Now I'm going to can them. Saturday, Linda's going to come over and we're going to make peach jam out some more of the peaches in the back. I've got plums coming in soon as well as peppers and tomatoes. It finally feels like all the work I've spent on the back yard is paying off.

Sadie, of course, is a joy to be with everyday. We have so much fun together. We sing, dance, read, play, scoot--almost a crawl--across the floor, go for walks, feed the ducks, visit museums, go to the library, and many more fun things. She interacts with me all the time and sometimes I feel like a little kid and I want to wake her up so we can play. Lately, she looks more and more like she walked out of Dr. Suess. Her hair has a swoop-curl that looks just like a who. Her eyes turn up at the ends, her nose has a ski-slope shape that ends in a little button, and her little lips sit in a pucker most of the time. She's just so great. Her mobility grows everyday and we are quickly realizing we need to baby-proof the house; which has been the motivation for our latest project.

My latest project has been cleaning. I realized, I don't know how to clean--literally. I don't know what should be done to a house so it can be considered clean. I was never really taught what I was supposed to do to take care of a house, so I checked out 5 books and a movie from the library. 4 of the 5 books simply succeeded in overwhelming me. However, the 5th book, House of Havoc, has become one of my favorite books of all times. It's apparent the author actually has kids, pets, and a "normal guy" husband. She talks about what needs to be done and what tricks you can do to make your house look nice quickly. It's written really well too--it has made me laugh out loud multiple times. All in all, I'm learning what needs to be done and using skills I was taught during a training session for work, Spencer and I are putting new habits in to place. It'll take a while, but I'm confident we can do it. Hopefully, I'll post pictures and movies of these projects soon!

Oh right... I need to update this thing

So, I should write down a few more memories before I let this thing get too stale. Sadie is 4 months now. She started rolling last Friday and although on Friday and Saturday she was really mad about landing on her stomach, she has learned how to complete the roll. This morning she was rolling all around the living room. I'd set her next to me and before I knew it she would be thumping against the TV on the other side of the room. The part that scares me the most is the fact that she lifts herself up onto her hands extremely well and she can also get on her knees. She just hasn't learn to synchronize the two. I have a feeling that's not going to take very long and once that happens... well, I'll lose even more of my sanity :)

Sadie is such a joy to have around. I only have to feed her twice at night which means I get more rest and am a happier person. Although, she's not someone I ever really get frustrated with anyway. She has a 6 am feeding and she doesn't cry to let me know when she's awake. Instead of crying, I hear her grunting as she works her way out of the swaddle and then I hear her start talking. When I walk into the room she waits for me to peer over the side of the crib and then she starts squirming with delight. It is so fun to see that happy little face. Sometimes when she wakes up earlier than I want to wake up, I'll bring her to my bed for snuggle time with mom. Sometimes she falls back to sleep with me. Other times, I'll open my eyes just a tiny bit and I'll see her little face looking at mine waiting for me to wake up. It becomes a game for her. She waits and when I open my eyes a little she smiles really big until I can't help but laugh. She's very effective at waking me up.

We've started feeding Sadie rice cereal once a day. Our pediatrician said if she was showing an interest in food we could try it. She definitely has an interest in food. I mean, she loves it when I give her medicine, REAL food is going to be great. When we feed her rice cereal she tries to hold the spoon and push it in herself. It's very cute. She's an independent little thing. For instance, sometimes she'll get fussy and I'll be trying to figure out why. I'll try to feed her, change her diaper, try holding her in a different position, but nothing works until I put her on the ground--she cheers right up and starts rolling around. Whodda thunk I'd have an independent baby? ;)

Oh, another fun memory... we went to Clear Lake a couple of weeks ago with the whole family. It was a blast to have all of us there. When we were there Sadie learned a couple of things from her cousins... mainly, how to be a little louder. Towards the end of the trip she started doing this squealing screaming thing. It was hilarious. I'll try to post a video of it. Now, she sticks her tongue out and growls at us. Although if it's first thing in the morning, she knows it's quiet time, so she whispers to us. I love her little sounds.

Final thought, I've started working with United Way again part time. They have been so great. It's fun to be wanted at a job and not only to be wanted, but to know I was good enough at it that they are letting me work mainly from home. It's nice to have a little extra income and it's especially nice to be working for a company that gives me such a good purpose in my work. I do most of my work while Sadie is sleeping, but sometimes she works with me. She'll sit on my lap and watch the computer while I type. It's very fun. If you can't tell already, I think motherhood is a blast.

Oh yeah, another thing... I had my birthday this week and I had such a fun party! We played games from "Minute to Win it" with the kids and adults. My favorite part was having my whole family at my house. I've been working very hard on the yard of this house to make it a fun place to be. My dad has just finished fixing the sprinklers all the way so they come on automatically and I'm seeing hope for having a pretty yard! I've been proud of my flower garden in the front and my veggie garden in the back. If you haven't tried gardening, you should. It's very theraputic. Ok, I think I've blabbed enough to remember what life is like for me now. :) Signing off.

Sadie mowing the lawn

Dad's triathalon

We are so proud of daddy! He won 3rd in his age division and he beat his personal goal of completing the race in under 1 hour 30 minutes!

Here's another video that was too big to upload onto my blog. It's just Sadie talking to the camera on that same day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xn5e3uCdeg

More Camera Fun

Learning about my camera :)