On Keeping Up and Keeping On

September's here. It's one of my favorite months and it's off to a good start...even though I had a quiet meltdown today. It's Labor Day, last day of the long weekend. We kept busy, a music festival Saturday, baby's first hike yesterday (with me carrying her for the 7 miler in the Maya) getting back on track with my running today, etc. Problem is, trying to suck the last delicious drops of the weekend out before going back to "work" tomorrow, with a sore back. Plus, it was frustrating because the baby didn't nap well Saturday or today (though she slept alot Sunday during our hike). And so, today , when I was trying to just...get...a few things...done, damnit...I felt so tired and angry.

The baby wanted to be held soooo much and wouldn't sleep outside of my arms. One of the things I was trying to get done was to make a new carrier so I could hold her more easily with my sore shoulder. I managed to do it, with a milk break for baby in the middle, cutting some 6 yards of cotton/spandex rib knit down the middle to essentially make my own Moby wrap. I have high hopes for this carrier, and already tried it out around the house. I'm thinking the weight distribution over both shoulders will be a boon when hiking, or when I'm carrying her for longer periods of time. I still love the Maya, and my Hotslings, but I'm glad I looked into this other style of carrier, as well. I actually ordered a Moby online last night after hiking, since that's how I am--gotta have it right away. But then, I had to have one even sooner and so dashed over to the fabric store this morning, and you know the rest...I probably won't bother returning the Moby, since it's a different color (Moss) and as you can probably already tell, I am baby-carrier-crazy. (We have an Ergo, too, but I'm thinking that will work out more for Daddy's use when she's a little bigger.)

Anyway, I've been reflecting lately on how much I'm trying to get done all the time, how I am now always trying to "keep up" and I realized that I may have to post less frequently to the blogs as I get more "real" work to do, so I wanted to check in and give a progress report on some of the stuff I've mentioned earlier on the blog.

Generally, my busy schedule is working pretty well. I've been putting in between 16 and 20 hours a week at my office job from home (more to come on this subject later this month). I've been giving the baby plenty of care and attention, even as she begins to demand more active, engaging play as she grows. I've been lacking a bit in the fitness department, though, slacking off completely on my runs last week. I had appointments four days in a row, plus a pretty heavy work-workload considering I'm actually on maternity leave, and I just didn't feel up to it. But now I have a new goal. I'm going to lose my 15 lbs. by the end of December. (It may only be 13, but my weight seems to fluctuate day to day by a couple of pounds.) It should be fairly easy since I've been stuffing my face with abandon pretty much since I've had the baby and working out moderately. I figure if I just control myself a bit, and up the workout commitment, I'll hit my goal.

As far as the IYADWYADTYAGWYAG post, my first one, I have to say, things have improved with my husband. I think we are getting into the groove of life with a baby. Plus, he is really a wonderful man and a great dad. He is really into the baby. Playing with her, doing diaper duty, watching her when I go on my morning runs, and even when I went to the fabric store today. He tried to give me a massage today, too, but baby wasn't havin' none of that. At least we got to do some other stuff during one of her very brief catnaps. I think I learned, or re-learned, that things are better if you ask for things sweetly and show appreciation rather than nag and ridicule. Sounds simple enough, but it's so easy to slip into a downward spiral of negativity.

Now, for my review of library books...the books and CDs I checked out for my "Destination" post were mostly set aside for books from subsequent library trips that demanded my attention sooner. Sadly, I never listened to the French CDs once. (I will, though!) What I did read were The Wonder Weeks and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I wrote a little about Wonder Weeks on my other blog. Both valuable and incredible books. (More on both later.) I had to make these books priorities and read them quickly since they're in the cue for others to check out, and have holds on them!

So, I realize this is a terrible post, writing-wise. It's crazy and rambling, and who cares about all this? Well, it's just an example of how sometimes things fall apart. Life is full and wonderful, but it can't always be documented and described in a neat, clever, little package. So there. I'm pretty tired and disorganized from baby care and all my other tasks and attempts at fun and keeping a personality, but I am happy, meltdowns and all. I hope that though my posts may become fewer as I try to re-organize a bit, I can come back with some improvements and growth to show.