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So I have a new obsession. I didn't need a new obsession. I wasn't looking for a new obsession. It just happened. I have a baby -- a fairly big baby -- who likes to be held. He doesn't like me to walk out of the room. He doesn't like me to busily move around the house. He most certainly doesn't appreciate me doing things like walk down the stairs without him! I was willing to cut myself some slack the first year of his life. So I wasn't accomplishing as much as I wanted, but I had a baby! And probably my last baby. Heaven knows I realize how quickly they grow up so I wasn't going to resent his babyhood or get frustrated with the undone tasks piling up around me. But enough is enough. There is something about the new beginnings of January and being inside all the time that makes me just want to get rid of everything and hose down the house! Or at the very least streamline the cupboards and closets, sort through what clothes we really need and use, move some pictures around to appreciate them again, organize and discard old papers and files, not to mention prepare dinner regularly, learn to crochet, practice the piano, exercise -- need I go on? Anyhow, despite his advanced age, I decided I needed a new way to strap him to me so that I can do what I need to do and he can have what he wants -- which is to be strapped to me.
And so we have: woven wraps (aaaaaah). They are so pretty, so silky, so vibrant... so expensive! But I've gotten some used and some at deep discounts. They're not all here yet, but here is my first one (and yes, I do need more than one since there are different uses for shorter wraps, different fabrics, etc. -- thanks for asking).
This one is a silk / cotton blend and is so comfortable -- it's like I hardly notice him there at all. He gets all comfy and relaxed, truly happy as a clam. I brought it with me to my presidency meeting yesterday, tied him up, and he promptly took a nice little nap. I've been watching youtube videos all week long for all of the best ways to wrap a toddler. I seem to have found yet another subculture of which I knew nothing just a few short months ago. It is fun, it is bonding. And since I need some reason to justify all of this bother I'm already imagining wrapping up my grandchildren. Yes, I realize I'm crazy.
Happy happy New Year everyone! We had a lovely autumn and beginning of winter. I think we were trying hard to spend as much time all together as possible before our first little chick left the nest. Oh my! Bring on the tears! I don't know if we'll ever all live together under one roof again and that thought is a tiny bit depressing, but what can you do? I dropped her off in Idaho last Friday and when I called on Sunday evening I asked how she was feeling. She said, "Mom, I know I'm in the right place." Such a comforting sentence for a mama. I was so worried, dropping her off in a place filled with only strangers, that she would be so lonely and scared -- not at all! She has great roommates, a nice apartment, kind and helpful professors... such a relief! And she hasn't even seemed annoyed when I call or text.
::Saying goodbye at the airport -- these were the last photos since I didn't get any of her apartment, etc. Lame of me, I know.
::Ibby was trying so hard to not cry! When I got home she told me that she was so excited to be upstairs sharing a room with Lulu now and then she started bawling. I said, "You miss Ella don't you." "Yes!" she wailed. Indicating that the trade off wasn't necessarily worth it.
::Charlie being a goofball!
I just got back from our trip out west on Tuesday evening so I hadn't even started thinking about New Year's goals and resolutions yet -- one thing at a time -- but as I thought about some things this morning, there is a lot I'd like to work on. I think a word I'd like to use this year is "Act." Not as in playacting or pretending, but as in actually doing all of the many many things I think about doing. I need to lose some weight -- so I'm going to! I need to not waste so much time -- so I'm going to have an actual plan in place for my days and work on some side goals that will require me to plan my time better. And most importantly I want to Act on the nudges and promptings that I get instead of ignoring them. This is the most important one.
I had to give a talk in church on December 30th and the topic was, "The Future is Bright" and I really believe that it is. Come what may, if we are living right and doing our best there is no room for pessimism, anger, negativity, fear... Here is to a great year!
