Enjoying the Small Things

I don't do motherhood themed posts as much anymore. I'm not exactly sure why. Part of it is my fear of exposing Lucy too much and some crazy person knocking on my door trying to steal her. Part of it is trying to keep some parts of our life personal. The main reason is probably more that I just feel so busy that I don't take out the 'nice' camera or take the time to jot down her milestones anymore. (Excuses, excuses.)

Catching up on my blog roll this morning in bed and I came across this post from one of my favorite 'Mommy Blogs', NYC Taught Me. I never took the time to reflect my thoughts of the Sandy Hook tragedy on the blog, but I felt the same way every mom did that morning - depressed, angry, confused, heartbroken, and yet glad it didn't happen to me. I thought this post from NYCTM was such a great piece about the life of a mom - when things are so rushed and routine it's hard sometimes to step back and enjoy the perfectness of a normal, boring day. At that moment I decided to start doing so today.

I woke up just after 7am this morning when Jordan got up to take the dog out and feed the animals. For some reason I don't sleep well when he's not in bed.  Lucy had a late night and a rough time going to bed so I was looking forward to some time to enjoy a cup of coffee and possibly do a few things before she got up. Less than five minutes later I hear 'Mommy?' over the monitor. Oh well, maybe a good nap later.

Lucy has been grumpy in the mornings when she wakes up, but we've learned what to do and say to work around it. I stick her in bed with Jordan to watch 'her show' (these days it's Fresh Beat Band) with the promise to bring her a bottle, which seems to satisfy her. While downstairs I start the coffee for me. Lucy will usually lie in bed with us for an hour in the morning, letting one or both of us (depending on the day) drift back in and out of sleep before she gets restless.

I especially enjoyed this morning and she was extra cuddly and not in one of her hyper moods where she wants to play and jump in the bed. I'm sure it had a little to do with her late night. I hear my coffee maker beep to tell me my coffee is ready, but I'm not going to move from this spot now.

Right after taking this picture, she grabbed by hand and wrapped it around her, motioning for me to rub her belly. My sweet girl.

I also tried to get a picture of her face, but these days she gets mad sometimes when she knows I'm taking her photo. And yes, we still have a pacifier, but it's only for bedtime and we make sure Lucy is the one who takes it out and puts it into the crib when it's time to get up. I promise it will be gone by 2!

Once Jordan gets up to get ready for work, Lucy is done with the bed and ready to play. We make a pit stop in her room to drop off the pacifier and have a reunion with Minnie, who we haven't seen in what, an hour?

(Note the little pacifier going overboard)

Afterwards we head downstairs for breakfast. I consider just giving her leftover pancakes from yesterday, but opt for a healthier breakfast of eggs, strawberries and Cheerios. I have a rule that I try to make sure Lucy has 1 protein, 1 fruit and 1 veggie (preferably a green one) each day. 

While I make breakfast Lucy alternates between playing, scattering the recycling bottles around the house, yelling at me for not walking laps with her around the house, and harassing the animals. Jordan kisses his girls and rushes off to work.

Once breakfast is served it's my time to enjoy my coffee and Lucy's leftover eggs for just a few minutes.

My time is quickly up and Lucy tells me 'aw done' and I'm being instructed to join a dance party with the dog. We have lots to do today, but this is my vow to start enjoying the small things. 

(Blog post title taken from the amazing Kelle Hampton. Check out her blog and read her story about her sweet Nella, here.)