Busy

Sometimes, meaning more then I would care to admit, I get to the end of the day and wonder exactly what I have accomplished. In college I could check off a long list every day - homework, check, more homework, check, class, class, class, check, study group, check, dinner group, check, etc... I still make check lists for myself but it looks something like this - laundry - um well I started a load or two but then I got distracted with something else so there's a pile on the couch waiting to be folded and laundry in the dryer that needs to come out and I really should start another load ... do I get half a check?

Here's part of my dilemma - I was driven when it came to academia and I'm less motivated when it comes to housework. Don't get me wrong, the toilets get cleaned, the laundry gets done (and folded and put away), the carpets get vacuumed - but I'm not as organized or driven as I used to be and I know I could get more done every day if I would be. I know life will get exponentially busier, but right now with one little one at home who still naps twice a day I don't always check as many things off as I think I should - not that I'm complaining about not going at a break-neck pace. It's just, I almost feel like I should, like somehow I don't make the rank of good moms if I'm not. That being said, perhaps I should start adding things to my list like - take MaryP to park and push her on swing. Check. Pull wood-chips out of her mouth multiple times and wonder who thought it was a good idea to use wood-chips at park. Check. Watch her go up and down slide several times. Check. Run around house playing peek-a-boo. Check. Read "Have you seen my cat" enough times in a row that I hide the book. Check. Change diapers. Check. Breakfast, lunch, dinner - check, check, check. I'm feeling better already....

But enough about me. We're doing well as a family. Wood has been very busy with qualifications. I had no idea when he started on the boat that he had so many things that he had to qualify for, meaning he has to certify over different areas of the boat before he can oversee that particular area or work without supervision on a particular thing. Recently he has qualified contact coordinator and Diving officer of the watch - diving refers to the boat - not Wood himself. I'm proud of what he's accomplished so far, but he's so different from me. If it were me I would come home and say "you wouldn't believe what I had to do today" and for him it goes something like this. Me: So how's work going ... good, busy? Him: Oh, well things have been pretty busy lately. Me: How so? Him: Oh, like last Monday I had four tests. Me: What? You never told me about that, how was it, how'd it go?! Him: Fine, it was a long day, but, you know, that's life.
How did I end up with this guy? And I mean that in the best way possible - he works so hard and takes it all in stride.

MaryP has been busy too. She's learned how to climb, much to my chagrin, and loves it. I don't mind the coffee table so much, but I put the kabosh on the kitchen table and the whole wheels-by-the-piano set up.

She is also exploring her world. Wipes, emptying her diaper pail, discovering the crasins bag, etc.

One of the things we love about living here is we are only a drive away from both sets of my grandparents whom we've been able to visit semi-regularly. I don't have any pictures with my dad's parents (I need some!) but here is MaryP with my mom's parents when they came up our way for a visit. She particularly took a shine to my grandpa and his hat.

She loves playing with our phone that broke and thinks it's great to push the buttons since they still make noise. I'm convinced that kids toys should be more real-to-life. MaryP knows the difference between the plastic imitations and the real-deal and always goes for the true to life toys. And I love the sweet expression on the bottom middle picture. She found my headband and was trying to put it on so I put it on her and was surprised that she left it there. She is a real sweetheart. She has a smile for almost everyone. She loves peek a boo, loves laughing, loves running up to give me hugs, and always wants to be involved in what is going on. When I am cooking she will get out her bowl and spoon and "mix-it, mix-it" as we call it right along with me. She is happy and easy to please (most of the time) and she is just a delight. We sure love her and are grateful to have her in our family.