Never a dull moment...

So here’s the thing: I think I’m feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s going on, and blogging just keeps getting dropped. I know it’s not the end of the world, but I feel guilty for not keeping this up to date. And I feel like each post starts out with the same excuses for why I haven’t been blogging. So this is the end of that. I’m just going to summarize it once, and it will be my mid-year’s resolution to not mention or make excuses for my lack of blogging again. I mean really. How many times do you want to read that same old story over and over again anyway? Right. So. If you see that I skip some time, or haven’t been here, I’m probably alive and well. I’m probably on an adventure of some sort, and I’m just not able to stop and type about it. Let’s make that the general assumption from now on. Fair?

OK now that we’ve got that out of the way, what’s new in the Orrick world? Let’s see… Cameron has been getting up at 5:15 for no apparent reason. Awesome. That throws off his nap schedules, and makes every afternoon super cranky.  For everyone. Right when I’m trying to get dinner ready, straighten up the living room a tad, and my own energy tank is running on fumes, the little mister seems to toss in a big fuss just to stir things up. Because, you know, I don’t have enough to worry about. BUT, yesterday morning he slept until 6:15, and this morning he made it to 6:45, so my little heart is soaring with hope that we’re getting back on track!

Sneaky little devil 

We’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool this summer too. I don’t have any pictures to prove it because we tend to go in the day when it’s just me and the babe, so there aren’t enough hands to hold a baby, a camera, and the straps of my bathing suit up, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. Cameron really enjoys the water, but he’s a little scared at first. We’ll walk down the steps, dipping into the water gradually, and every time we sink further into the water, he grips a little tighter and sucks his breath in a little. So imagine, if you will, me, with my sturdy momma bathing suit on (you’ll see why in a minute), baby on my left hip, walking slowly down the stairs to gradually dip the babe into the water. With every step his grip on my left bathing suit boob panel tightens, eventually exposing more and more skin. With every inch he moves the suit over, I grab with my right hand to move it back in an effort to maintain a shred of decency. I’m not sure why I bother, really, but I do try. By the time we leave the pool, the left boob panel of my suit is stretched out from our little game of tug-o-war: his effort to pull me closer, and my effort to maintain that decency. I swear in a year I’m going to pull this bathing suit out, having completely forgotten this game, and wonder why my left side is so much more stretched out than the right side. (Consider this blog post one big “note to self”.)

This is not our neighborhood pool, obviously- this is the little one in the backyard.  But you get the point.

Let’s see… what else? Oh I’ve been crafting away! That one deserves it’s own post with pictures, so I won’t say too much today. Just know that I’ve been busy busy creating things! I’m opening up an Etsy store, so I’ll post that info too, so you can keep up with my crafting adventures too.

Case in point:   a police car made out of diapers.  They lights on top, the headlights, and taillights all actually light up too. 

I think I’ve hit that point in motherhood where I’m ready to reclaim my sense of self. Staying home with my child is such a blessing, but it is not without it’s own challenges. I very much miss being among people, having adult conversation, and challenging my brain by thinking about solutions to work problems. I’m also really starting to get the whole balancing act that moms attempt- you know what I’m talking about- walking that fine line between giving enough to your kids, but also taking care of yourself enough that you have something leftover to give to your husband and friends too. I don’t have the balance right, but I so get why this is something people struggle with. I’m trying to carve out some “me” time so that I can recharge and feel well, human again. I am probably crazy for thinking this, but I’m really ready to get back to the gym. Or at least to be active again (other than chasing around a baby). I miss my workouts, and feeling fit and healthy. Right now all I feel is tired. (See here’s the crazy part. I feel tired, and I’m trying to sign up to do MORE activities? I know. It’s nuts. But I do feel better when I’m active.) So I’ve been scoping out gyms with the kids centers onsite. I have found one I like, but I’m not sure about timing. So I’m still thinking about that. I’m also weighing the option of putting Cameron into a Mother’s Morning Out program. I think it would be really good for him to be around other kids, and it would be really good for me to have a little time to myself. I’m looking at the 1 Day program where he’d go from 8:30-12:30, one day a week. It’s not a big deal, but I think it would make a big difference to us. I’m waiting to hear back from the director on that one. We’ll see how all that works out.

"What do you mean, momma?  You need time for yourself? But why?"

"It's not like I get myself into any trouble."

"I'm sweet and innocent.  See?"

So that’s all that’s new with us. Cameron is growing more and more each day, and it seems like he does something new and crazy each day to keep us laughing, crying, or rolling our eyes. Yesterday he tried to eat a spider, which earned laughter, tears AND an eye roll (and a phone call to the pest control company). But you know. Things will never be dull again!