Be Careful What You Wish For

Dean and I could not wait for Natalie to crawl. We encouraged her, put toys just out of her reach, clapped with enthusiasm whenever she tried. And then she did it!

and did it some more. and got faster. and further.

On the one hand, it's the greatest thing when she's crawling and giggling to get to you. And following you around the house. Need some self actualization? Have a baby! Plus, it's just plain fun and interesting to see what interests her. A whole new world has opened up for her because she now has some control over what she plays with and explores. That part is amazing.

But on the other hand, my days of leaving the room for 5 minutes and knowing she was safe are over. Lounging on the couch? Gone! And of course, the more dangerous and object is, the more applealing it is as well. I'm constantly redirecting her and trying not to say no all the time. The new word is danger. Not that she understands it yet, but eventually...

So mom, just a shout out to say thanks for keeping me safe when I was a wee one. I know now how much effort that really entailed.

It's a sad day...

One of my best friends dad died this weekend. Unexpectedly.

It's an awful feeling to know your friend and her family are in such terrible pain and there is nothing you can do but offer your love and support. I just want to take their pain away and I can't. I'm still in shock and find myself thinking about it when I go to bed at night. If I think about it too long, the sadness is almost overwhelming. So if I feel that way, I can only imagine how it must be for my friend.

Ironically, he was one of the most fit men I know his age, perhaps with the exception of my father-in-law. Life is just like that sometimes. So unfair. So, I did the only thing I could, called my parents and told them how much I loved them. I sat with Natalie, cuddling her for the longest time thinking about how truly blessed Dean and I are to have her. If you know me at all, you know I'm not one to count my blessings, but I find myself doing that these days. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Here's to you Andy. I'll miss many things about you... you're teasing nature, subtle sarcasm, and great bbq's at your house. But mostly I'll miss just being around you and your family, and experiencing the love you had for them firsthand.

She's on the Move, and so am I

After much awaited anticipation, Miss Natalie is crawling! Not an army crawl, but a full blown crawl and she is getting faster everyday. She took her first few, what, knees, on her 9 month birthday and is now going strong. And she's so cute about it I can't stand it. I can hear her when I'm in the kitchen crawling over. When she hits the tile her hands start slapping against it. That and her giggling as she thinks it's so fun to come find me. As the Stone Roses say, I guess I wanna be adored, cuz I just love it when she finds me. As soon as I get the video thing worked out, I'll post the proof her for all her adoring fans to see.

And I'm on the move as well. I'm taking my first weekend away in a few weeks to be the Matron of Honor in my friend Joan's wedding. I'm so excited! And nervous. Not because I don't think Dean can handle it, he can. It's just going to be weird, like leaving your arm at home. It will be the first time in ten months I'll have been apart from her for more than a few hours. I'm not sure how it will be for me, or her. I do know that Dean will be REALLY tired when I get back and understand why I often flop on the couch at night.