Life in My World...

...Is basically trying to keep that hat in place.

Mom's Visit

My mom left yesterday after spending a week with us. She was amazing. She cooked, cleaned, organized, did ALL of my laundry, did months worth of ironing, and brought me water every time I sat down to nurse. She burped, held, bathed, rocked, and loved Zeph. She even slept on the floor of his nursery his first night in his crib because I was nervous. She woke up with every feeding and kept me company. She visited and visited and visited with me. She hugged me when I cried and told me to take a nap. She showed so much love through her service. Zeph is lucky to have her as a grandma. I'm incredibly lucky to have her as a mom. I have finally started to understand just how much she loves me. I'm blown away that I get to be to Zeph what she is to me.

An Introduction

Introducing Joseph

March 27, 2013

6lb 9oz

Perfect.

All Aboard!

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,

An elephant, a ponderous house,

A melon strolling on two tendrils.

O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!

The loaf's big with its yeasty rising.

Money's new-minted in this fat purse.

I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.

I've eaten a bag of green apples, 

Boarded the train there's no getting off.

-Sylvia Plath

That last line, "Boarded the train there's no getting off," has been running through my head over and over the last nine months; when I was morning sick, when I get overwhelmed, when I think about the pain that is coming, and especially when I realize I have a lifetime of service ahead of me. There are so few decisions to be made that can't be undone that it's really quite frightening to realize that there really is no getting off of this train. 

Here's to hoping that everyone else on this ride that swears by the journey and destination aren't crazy.

Chinese Food

Joe and I were just having a discussion about one of his favorite Chinese restaurants that went something like this:

J: "That place is so delicious."

A: "That place is gross. The meat is shady...call me crazy, but I'm not a fan of chewing on pieces of neck, gristle, and giant chunks of unknown fat."

J: "Whatever. You wouldn't know good Chinese food if it hit you in the face with a rat."

A Dose of Cheerful

If you read this blog, you might know that my blogger friend, Charlotte, drove up to Seattle with the sole intention of us meeting after years of mutual blog stalking and commenting. Nothing puts a spring in your step like someone who wants to be your friend even before they meet you.

Charlotte and Asher were absolutely delightful.  Charlotte is an easy and pleasant conversationalist. It was so nice to have girl talk with someone who enjoys Harry Potter, marriage, family, great writing, good TV, stretchy pants, and being a home body just as much as I do—kindred spirits indeed. She was incredibly gracious and kind, and cheered me up considerably. And Asher smiles and peeps every time you even glance at him--it's hard to not love a baby like Asher.

Staying in and chatting for an evening and then taking a stroll around the market (while eating treats of course) with a friend like Charlotte was just what January ordered to help beat the blues. 

Don't Be Our Guest

It's a guest who comes to your house and:

:: points out all of the corners that need swept

:: reminds you the garage isn't organized

:: leaves the door open and makes the entire house cold

:: says things like, "Are you sure you should eat that?"

:: draws attention to your shortcomings

:: forgets to mention that you're at least trying

:: gives you judgy eyes

:: has a gloomy aura 

:: tracks mud and water onto your floors

:: and on top of everything else, is ugly

Which is to say, "January, you've overstayed your welcome."