Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Lately I have been ...

... panicking. Andrew meets with his career manager in the next couple of weeks and we find out if he will be posted out of Moncton. I am not ready to go back to work and the prospect of my full-time SAHM status coming to an end makes me want to throw up! And, of course, cherish every moment with our girl. Fingers crossed for one more year, please?

... eating way too much. Is it the extreme cold temps that make my body crave all things bad for me? I am a carb-a-holic, I can't keep my hands out of the cookie jar, and have started this stupid mid-morning snack routine that HAS to stop!

... pushing myself running-wise, working on increasing my speed. Yet also taking my long runs back a notch. It's working for me. So far.

... thinking about adding extra days to my workout routine. I currently exercise every other morning, with one long run on the weekends. I am sure this desire comes as a result of the second point listed above. *doh*

... rearranging furniture, cleaning out closets, washing baseboards, organizing to a fault. Is this a sort of winter wackiness that comes from living in a freezing climate surrounded by mounds of snow that are so large they hide buildings? Or is it simply my psyche's way of telling me that I'm bored with my surroundings and yearning something different? If this is the case, psyche MUST STOP. See point #1 above! Panic!

... missing my friends. Maaike's schedule no longer leaves a morning free for playdates with my Mommy friends, and I'm missing them!

... feeling disconnected from a certain someone who is having some issues that are all too familiar to me. I am coming to a genuine understanding of how difficult it was for my friends and family to step back, not pressure and still be supportive without "offending" when I was going through the same issues. Praying that God gives me the right words to say, and the good sense to keep my flapping gums shut when appropriate. REALLY need to work on that one.

... going through a sense of "outsider-ness" (okay, maybe it's not a word but it should be!) around my women friends who are having their 2nd and 3rd children.

... enjoying a truck-load of "firsts" for Maaike this month: first day of pre-school; first hair cut; first trip to the dentist; first time tobogganing by herself; first snowman built ...

... longing for some green grass, a ray of warm sunshine, sand between my toes, and maybe a pretty cocktail with an umbrella. Fruitless, really, when we're in the middle of a deep freeze and the forecast is calling for more snow. But a girl can dream ... right????

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Maaike received this little pot with seeds from a friend for her birthday and she was so excited to get it going. She helped put the dirt in the pot, and then poured in the seeds. She placed it on the window sill with some of Momma's other plants so it would get lots of sunshine and then stood and waited. After a few seconds she said, "Where is the grass?" I explained that it takes a while for plants to grow and that it doesn't happen that quickly, and she seemed to be okay with that ... until about 10 minutes later when she went back to the little pot and, discouraged, complained that there STILL wasn't any grass. I guess time really isn't easily grasped in the mind of a 3-yr-old ...

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Nukie Fairy

The "Nukie Fairy" came to our house last night and exchanged Maaike's Nuk for a present, and a lovely note. It actually wasn't by my choice, although I'm not upset to see it go. The Nukie Fairy was an idea I got from a friend, and something I've been procrastinating in dealing with. After a few friends had mentioned they were getting rid of their kid's pacifiers, Maaike & I were having a chat about it when she decided, out of the blue, that last night was the night that she wanted to leave her Nukie for the Nukie Fairy. I explained that her Nuk would go to forever live with the Nukie Fairy and she would never see her again. She seemed to be okay with that, but I still gave her an "out". I told her that if, after she tried to get to sleep, she still wanted to exchange her Nuk for a present from the Nukie Fairy, all she had to do was leave her Nuk under her pillow and fall asleep without it. Well, wasn't I shocked when I went to check on her later that night: the Nuk was still under her pillow and she was fast asleep ...

And she has only mentioned it in passing once today ... didn't mention it at all at bed time tonight. I'm utterly surprised. I thought this was going to be the fight of my life. Funny how they surprise you just when you think you've got them all figured out ...

Birthday Brunch

This morning we had a birthday brunch/party for Maaike's 3rd birthday with her friends!
Here are some photos from the event. It was so much fun & she was spoiled rotten once again.
I've been saying she's going to have to go to "present rehab" when this Christmas and birthday present bonanza is finished, and I sincerely believe it to be true.
Thanks to everyone for joining us and helping us celebrate!





Monday, January 3, 2011

Ballerina Birthday Girl

Our beautiful little girl is 3 today!

Can't believe how time has flown, and how big she's grown! The difference a year makes is indescribable. Our little princess is a walking, talking, interactive child who loves to pretend and play and jump and dance; who loves to read and sing and swim and be tickled. She tries to be independent, but is also sometimes shy and a little insecure as she takes some steps out into this big new world. So glad I can be here to hold her hand and support her. We are so blessed and I am SOOOO proud to be her Mom!