Life as a Stay-At-Home Mom

A stay-at-home mom. I guess I am one most of the time. Even when I'm at work on the weekends, I still consider myself a mom first, nurse second. I'm in the mom-mode. I often entertain myself by thinking of how life has changed for me since Anna has arrived. And she's 17 months old today - so 17 months of being a mom! 17 months of having a daughter, our Anna. 17 months of falling head over heals in love with that little girl. And 17 months of some pretty funny changes in my life....

• I eat breakfast and lunch standing up. I do sit for dinner, but not for very long.
• My hair is in an eternal ponytail.
• I have become pretty good at stain removal.
• I get really excited about coupons. An outing to the grocery store can be equally as exciting.
• I look forward to when the mail comes.
• And I know what time the recycling and garbage trucks come (9:00 and 1:00).
• I vacuum daily.
  
• I know the best children's CDs.
  
• And I can sing a mean "Wheels on the Bus".
  
• I love library story time (so does Anna).
• I don't know what nail polish is anymore.
• I carry snacks and a sippy cup in my purse.
  
• Re-runs of 'Full House' during Anna's nap time is good entertainment.
• I laugh at myself when I dance around the kitchen during lunch time to make Anna giggle.
  
• And I wear my sparkly diamond earrings with my sweat pants just because it makes me feel good.

And would I change any of these changes over the last 17 months? Not in a lifetime.

Anna's Ki-Ki's

Anna loves kitties! She loves our real kitty, Cola. And she loves her pink kitty blanket that she takes with her to bed ... the above picture. And she finds kitties everywhere! On magazine pages, on advertisements, on junk mail, in stores, on cat food cans, in books, and even once on the side of a delivery van. She loves to say kitty ... sounds like "Ki-Ki" ... and I am amazed by how many kitties she finds! In stores I'll be shopping and she'll proudly point and say "Ki-Ki!" and sure enough, there's a picture of a kitty on the wall or on some product. The delivery van was most impressive - we were in the busy parking lot at the post office and I was trying to hurry and get Anna back in the car and into her car seat. Well, she strained her neck and pointed yelling "Ki-Ki!!". I looked up just in time to see a delivery van drive by with a picture of a kitty on the side. Nothing like a 16 month old to remind you to slow down and take notice of what's around you. Or else you might miss all the ki-ki's!

40 days of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Anna and I went to church this morning and we each got our ashes. This is the first time she has received ashes. She looked pretty sweet with the tiny little cross on her forehead. I always get sentimental about all of Anna's new experiences, but like her baptism and attending mass, it pleases me she is being raised in the church. Brent and I are at least doing the best we can. We're not perfect, but our intention is there. I hope as Anna grows she develops a strong faith and love for Jesus. I pray that we can guide her and help her along the way.

12:20 AM

I just finished reading The Kite Runner. What an excellent book. I'm not sure that a book has ever made my heart pound as I was reading it. This one did and oh my goodness. This story will be on my mind for a very long time.

It's 12:24 AM now and I need to head to bed. Recall my last post about Anna's runny nose? Brent's is running, too. And now mine. We love each other so much we even share germs :)

A little cough and runny nose

Anna has a cold. A little cough and runny nose. It started with a low-grade temperature on Monday. No fevers since, though. She isn't feeling 100%, but she is still smiley and playful. We missed the library story time yesterday and play group this morning. We have been staying in a laying-low, just trying to rest and get better. But today I started feeling a little stir-crazy, so we went on two errands. Starting with the ever popular Kroger run. Anna loves Kroger! She loves the people and she makes lots of people smile every time we go. Especially the old ladies. They love her. Next we went to the library. I had to return some books and stopped to pick a few new ones out for Anna. I let her roam around a bit in the children's section. She didn't crawl once today and walked the whole time! There were two other older kids there who were just as fascinated with Anna as she was with them. Anna thought the big kids were pretty cool, even though she said "Hi, baby" to the older girl. Haha! Next it was home and lunch and now a nap.

I am reading the book "The Kite Runner". I think I may one of the last people on earth who has read this book. I love it so far and have a hard time putting it down. Brent read it over the summer and loved it. My mom let us borrow the movie, which she said is also very good. Once I'm done with the book, Brent and I will have a movie night.

Off to do some laundry and ironing. And then a little more kite running....