A New Year

Another new year is upon us. Some will go out and celebrate in style at the latest greatest party (New York Times Square) others, like myself, will have a quiet celebration at home.

Actually, truth be told, I can not remember the last time I stayed awake long enough to meet the New Year. Yikes...

Some of us have already thought of or are making their final decisions on their New Year resolutions. Most of us make the "lose weight" or "get finances in order" as goals we would like to accomplish. Me inlcuded. Every year I make about a handful, only to fail at seeing them through before February even hits.

For example, my three 2008 resolutions included: pay off debt, eat healthy (lose weight after birth of son), and take time out for me (a difficult one as most mothers know!) This year, I have decided to make my resolution simple: complete at least one 2008 resolution.

What do you want to accomplish in 2009?

Boy or Girl?

My husband and I agreed right off that we were going to find out the sex of our baby. I remember walking into that cramped ultrasound room; the cool gel being placed on my belly and the anticipation that came afterward while waiting to hear whether this growing baby inside me was going to be a Logan or an Audrey.

I secretly wanted a girl. Perhaps it is because I am the only female out here on this wide, vast ranch. However, when the ultrasound tech self-assuredly said I had a little boy I felt (with shame) disappointment.

Two days ago, my husband asked me if I would trade Logan in for a girl. Without any hesitation I exclaimed "Hell no!"

I unconditionally love my little guy! I look forward to seeing the person he is each day and the person he is becoming. Already he is such a jokster and a little flirt. He gives me kisses when I feel blue or stressed; makes me laugh with his talk and facial expressions.

Now I can not even imagine my life without him!

Survival of the Holidays?

Sometimes, while asking someone how their holidays have went, they answer, "survived another year." With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas so close together I can see how some may take a survival strategy for those last 3 months of the year.

I ask, when did the holidays have to become a state of survival? What happened to the simplicity of it all? It should be about sharing this time with our loved ones. Instead it has turned into a commercial war. Before Halloween even hits the stores are filled with the newest, greatest toys. Sales are flaunted promising the consumer the best deals and prices, "buy one get one half off."

And we, somewhere along the lines have gotten caught up in it all. Do children even know why we celebrate these glorious days? Parents run around in a frantic trying to purchase that last PSP or video game that little Johnny will die without. Instead of looking forward to having family over, they find it more as a burden-the extra cleaning, cooking, and decorating to prove that yes, your house is better than everyone's on the block for holiday splendor.

I've often said how simple of a life I live out here with my family. A tree cut down from the mountains, a few decorations, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" being read and a CD playing those classic Christmas carols.

We should all take a step back and re-evaluate this time of year. Was the bustle and that PSP worth all the debt and stress?

And so I leave with you today to think about the following excerpt from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss.

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Fall

Today is the first day of my favorite season...Fall. I love how the leaves change color, the crisp cool days with the sun shining down on my face. Homemade hot apple cider brewing on the stove, caramel apples, Halloween. What season could be better!?

Ok so I also love the Winter, but not as much as Fall. Every year on the first day of this glorious season, we pack up a blanket and some food, and go out for a picnic. This year, however, we will not be doing this due to all the cow work that has to be done.

Also, we did not grow any pumpkins this year, so I am desperatley searching for a pumpkin patch nearby to pick them.

I hope that even though we did not have our annual Fall picnic on the first day, perhaps we can next month when things calm down a bit.

Happy Fall everyone!!

Losing the Baby Weight

Before I became pregnant, I was a fitness fanatic. Okay, maybe not fanatic. But I ate healthy and worked out regularly. Even during my pregnancy I stayed active and ate correctly, not gaining more than the recommended 28 pounds.

I knew that pregnancy causes your body to change, however, what was failed to be mentioned or read was how difficult it was going to be to get back to my pre-pregnancy size. Half my old shirts won't button over my waist any my old jeans do not go up past my thighs.

Just finding the time to exercise is a challenge; and don't even get me started on the meals (or lack of) that I now find myself consuming.

Example 1: at my 6 week postpartum appointment, my doctor mentioned how thin I was getting, especially in my face. I told her I was on the "new mom diet," I don't eat, I just look at my food.

Example 2: Getting tired of the way I look, I made a goal for yesterday. Drink two bottles of water and take a walk. The result, one bottle of water.

I have decided that what I really need to do is sign up for a marathon 6+ months from now. This will force me to get back on track with my old healthy lifestyle.

Now the question is, what to do with Logan while trying to accomplish all this. I have a jogging stroller and have tried on several occasions to go for a walk here with him. However after passing the first cattle guard (about 10 feet from my front door) he is already fussing and crying.

I love hiking and have always dreamed of a back country backpacking trip through Europe, Alaska, Tibet, wherever. Of course, none of this can be done until Logan is potty trained (packing dirty diapers around is not my idea of a pleasant trip.) However, day to two day hikes can be manageable. In fact we are in the middle of planning a family hiking trip for our wedding anniversary this year.

At least the hiking will get me out on the trail and moving more. Chasing Logan around and walking to the office and back just isn't cutting it.

I know that with a lot of hard work and making the time for better habits, I will eventually fit back into my favorite pair of old jeans. Until then, I will make goals and work at achieving them more and more each day. I will remind myself that this new body, though I hate it, is the result of someone pretty special.

No Rest For the Wicked

I was thinking about this phrase a few days ago. The phrase originated from the book of Isaiah verses 48:22 and 57:20-21.

48:22 "'There is no peace,' says the Lord, 'for the wicked.'"

57:20 "'But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.'"

57:21 "'There is no peace,' saith my God, to the wicked.'"

Basically, this phrase says that the wicked will be tormented. However, we use this phrase for many things these days. In college, my boss used this phrase when I pulled a 9 hour shift with no lunch or breaks.

Others have used it towards me when I was working two jobs, going to college, and planning my wedding. Come to think of it, I have heard this phrase quite a bit.

However, I was thinking of this phrase more in the sense of a Mom or Dad. I certainly feel stretched thin most of the time. For some unknown reason society and/or other family members think that just because you are a Mom (or for some Dads) it is your responsibility to maintain the household, and everything that goes on in it.

It is the Mom's responsibility to take care of everyone in the family, be it cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children, or in my case along with all the mentioned above, also help bring in money to pay bills and try to live a comfortable life. My question is, with Mom taking care of everyone and everything else around, who is taking care of her? I think most people look beyond Mom and her well being and more towards how she is running the world around her.

I joke with my husband that with everything I am expected to take responsibility for, maintain, and do, I will eventually have to be put away into a padded room. Though I say this in a teasing manner, sometimes that padded room looks tempting just to have a break from it all.

This is the life I have been given and I am grateful and appreciative of it. But, would it kill anybody to give Mom just a little break once in a while?

Getting Back on Schedule

I have been so busy these past two weeks that I haven't had much time to write. I decided that I wanted to get everything done in the office. So I made a list of what needed to be done and when I wanted it done by. I only have three things left, assuming of course, that no emergency projects get e-mailed my way.

Cattle are being worked everyday until October; Friday we were given the afternoon off so that we could go to the fair. Basically, it was the only day for the rest of the month that we would have the ability to leave the ranch for a while.

The fair was a nice change of pace. We mainly go to look at the animals and eat fair food. Logan, being as little as he is, was not able to go into Old McDonald's farm, but that is something to look forward to next year.

I had always wished that I was involved in FFA. The thought of raising a pig, goat, lamb, or any other animal and showing it at the fair always intrigued me. A ribbon, I never cared what color, placed upon my animal and/or exhibit...

Though I never did this, Logan has a chance if he wants, and that is something that I can be involved in with him. However, I do not want to be one of those parents who pushes their unsuccessful dreams upon their child. So if this is something he does not want to do, then I will accept it and support whatever it is that he chooses.

Kids - An Inspiration

Ever notice how determined kids are? They just won't give up. It does not matter if they are learning to crawl, walk, or wanting that piece of candy in the grocery store check out line.

They truly are an inspiration. As we get older the words "I can't" seem to come out of our mouths a bit more. Why is that?

One of my favorite quotes comes from the movie"Batman Begins":

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

I watched Logan as he was learning to crawl. He would move his feet, but not his hands and of course fall over. Over and over I would watch him keep trying. Of course now that he has mastered the crawling bit, he is all over the place. He now grabs things and pulls himself up into a standing postion. Next, he'll be trying to walk and while getting a grasp on the whole balance thing, he'll keep falling again and again. Only to one day, be running around the house and outside.

To some, this is just a step in life. If we didn't keep trying while we were kids, we would never have gotten anywhere. But as I watched, I thought of all the times I gave up and said those two terrible words, "I can't." And I made up my mind to keep a conscious effort to stop saying "I can't" and start doing. Stop talking about things and, instead start making them happen.

Where do we, as teenagers and adults, lose our confidence? When do we stop trying and start giving up more?

Logan is one of my inspirations. I hope everyone out there can find an inspiration of their own.

A Day at the Zoo

Logan had his first trip to the zoo yesterday. With all the other kids and people running around and the animals in the midst of it all, he was pretty excited.

Some exhibits he didn't know to look past the fence. But once he saw the animals move, he would kick and squirm. Some animals, I don't think he knew what to think of them...

He took a break and ate pickles...

and rode a camel...

Logan took his throne as the King of Africa...

By the end of the day, we were all pretty exhausted...

Growing Up Too Fast

Why is it that so many kids these days are trying to grow up too fast? Why don't these kids want to enjoy what little childhood they have?

As someone who still thinks that I am too young for the majority of the things in the world; I ask myself why everytime I see a child rushing into adulthood. I just want to take that kid aside and tell him adulthood sucks! Literally. To a lot of people the responsibilities, displeasures, and stress suck the life right out of them.

There was this little boy I saw at a store several months back. I would estimate his age at around 9 or 10. He was with his Dad. He was dressed precisely the way his Dad was; even held himself the same way in his posture and attitude.There wasn't a wrinkle in his clothes, his hair was combed the same way, he even had on the same belt with a cell phone clipped to it. The whole appearance threw me off; I had to take a second look.

I suddenly felt myself saddened. Sure as a kid, I remember trying to be like my Mom and Dad. One time I put on the same blue shirt that looked like my Dad's and helped him work on the car. However, I was not about to jump into a flightsuit or even get up in front of a class and teach the students subjects alloted by the school system.

There is a difference in trying to be like Mom and Dad and being Mom and Dad.

So why do these kids want to rush what little life they have on this Earth? Does society put it upon them to hurry? Do we as parents?

Skipping Steps

Logan is a happy infant. He smiles, laughs, squeals, gives raspberries. The only time he really cries is when he is tired.

Despite this, I can tell he is going to be a handful.

He would get frustrated and scream because he couldn't crawl. Now he crawls and he gets frustrated and screams because he's not walking. He gets up on his feet when he crawls and stands up when he has something to hang onto.

So what's going to happen when he begins walking? Jessie and I were joking around saying he'll probably get frustrated and scream because he can't fly.

And when he discovers that flying is not an option for him; he'll come and ask Mom and Dad why. We'll explain that only birds can fly, that their genetic makeup allows them to soar the skies. God made humans to tend to things down here on the ground.

Of course, kids are always one step ahead of the parent. So after we explain about the birds, he'll throw in that "Superman can fly!"

Thoughts at the Toy Store

JP, Logan, my sister-in-law Jessie, and I all went cruising the mall last weekend. Ok, so we weren't cruising, we actually went there for a purpose but stopped in some other stores along the way. One store we hit was KB Toys.

There were several things I noticed while in here. The first, a lot of toys from when I was a kid have made a come back. However, in order to make these toys "cooler" the toy industry have rigged them to do new things such as talk, flash, have brighter colors, etc. This I believe, has not made that particular toy cooler, but rather lame. Who ever heard of Batman wearing orange? Batman is a creature of the night, he needs to blend in with the darkness!

Second, the children's voices on some of these toys, I find, are rather creepy. Especially the ones that laugh. It sends shivers down my spine. Whenever I hear them I place myself at some enormous, dark, abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. Where any second, some psychopath murderer is going to jump out and slaughter me.

What I want to know is, where are these children that laugh like that? Do these high tech computer gurus really think that these children's voices sound genuine?

Third, while browsing there were toys of cell phones, keys, laptops and other items that Mom and Dad would carry around. Why? I have to carry these things and I hate it. I know our children like to mimick us, therefore they have the same items we do...but geez. I would rather carry around a Transformer than all the mentioned above.

Jessie and I went into the section where they carry infant toys to take a peek. Let me just say that there is not much in the way of toys for children under 12 months. For the age Logan is now, 7 months, I counted a total of three. Of course they were all ones to work on crawling and motor skills which is good. Then I thought of Logan and his handful of toys now. He picks them up, watches as he moves it from one hand to the other, and then...into the mouth. So I thought, would he actually stack those colored rings onto the ring stand? Maybe later, now he's more interested in tasting and dropping everything.

We walked out of KB Toys empty handed. There was no need for us to buy anything now. Sometimes it is interesting enough just to see what is out there these days.

The Ever Changing Dream

In high school and college some dream of the fast pace life with the corner office. Some dream of making it big in Hollywood; others of traveling the world. Athletes of making the NFL, NBA, or MLB.

It's amazing how our hopes and dreams change. What you once thought would be a perfect life; changes to something else. JP was telling me about a comic strip he saw in a cattle magazine the other day. It was a man in his car, living the fast life, stuck in traffic. A balloon appeared over his head as he dreamt of a simplier life, ranching. The next block showed a rancher throwing hay; the balloon over his head showed him sitting in a beach chair drinking a margarita.

This comic strip illustrated exactly the changes in dreams that JP and I have been having. We gave ourselves 3-5 years to work here; next we are planning on trying to get a managerial postition; we talked of having our own cattle and starting our own ranch.

However, for the past several months, our dream talks have turned into wanting an even simplier life. A shack on the beach in the Caribbean; where the only thing we have to worry about when we wake up is whether or not we are going to wear flip flops.

Whether we fulfill this dream or not is another story. Sometimes it's the dream that just keeps us going through the day.

The Rural Life

I was never a "city" girl. Not even a little. The big, bad city always intimidated me. Though I have lived in a city, I prefer to live rural. As with anything (I know I've mentioned this before) there are pros and cons to this life.

Some pros:

You can not open your window and shout at your neighbor.

You can not hear your neighbors teenager coming home at 3 am, blaring the radio, and talking loudly on his cell phone.

Raising children out here. They have room to play; and it's not in a street. Also, they don't have as much influence as the city kids do.

Some cons:

You need to plan accordingly, there is no such thing as "a run to the store" to pick up that gallon of milk.

You give someone your address and they don't believe it is a real one, not even the post office. This makes for a headache when it comes to receiving mail.

The nearest school is about half an hour away. But, it is in a different county. Therefore, if we were to stay here long enough for Logan to attend school, unless they have room and we have permission, Logan would have to attend the school in Moriarity. About a 45 minute to 1 hour drive.

Sunrise

I love the sunrise. There is something comforting in knowing you are up earlier then most. I walk outside in the cool crisp air, take a deep breath, and let my mind float away while I watch and listen. A new day has come!

This is my time. No one is here to talk or need anything. It's just me and the world.

I listen as the sun begins to awake those around me. The cattle rise, low moos echoing across the mountains. The birds start rustling their feathers; small chirps can be heard as they prepare to fly out and gather breakfast for their babies. A cottontail hops from underneath the stack of wood outside my yard. I can hear small neighs and hooves hitting the hard ground as the mares and their colts mosey in from the pasture to get their morning grain.

The morning dew starts to glisten as the sun rises even higher. I hear JP get in the shower. A small cry hits my ear; Logan is awake. Our busy day is about to begin. My time is over.

I love the sunrise.

The Battle between the Wants and Needs

I woke yesterday morning and looked out the window. It was still dark, but I just couldn't sleep anymore. So I threw on a sweatshirt and walked into the computer room. JP and Logan were both still fast asleep.

The sky was cloudy, we had thunder and lightening warnings as well as flash flood warnings. It was a mere 50 degrees outside, I was still cold, even while layered. I also found myself in a crabby mood.

So as I sat there, listening to my Hagwood Hardy CD, and staring at the computer screen with every intention to write my daily blog posting; I realized that what I needed to do was battling what I wanted to do. Like the angel and devil sitting on your shoulders; both whispering in your ear trying to challenge the other in who was going to win this round.

What I needed to do was wash the dishes, work on the many quilts I have to have done by Christmas (5 for one lady and now all her friends want some too), balance the checkbook, gather phone numbers from the insurance company so I can call them first thing Monday morning, get ready to go, get Logan ready to go...the list continues.

However, what I wanted to do was crawl up under a big, warm quilt, get lost in a good book, and hide from the world.

Yesterday morning the wants won over the needs; for a while at least.

You Know You're a Mom and Dad When....

I have compiled a list of 10 reasons you know you are a parent. Enjoy!!

10. When calling the dog, you call your child's name, and vice versa.

9. Your eyes are permanently bloodshot from the lack of sleep.

8. Your bedtime is the time you used to go out.

7. A mirror is no longer something to "primp" in, it's now something to entertain a fussy baby with.

6. Your friends who's kids are older than yours, patronize you with "Just you wait..." (You know who you are!)

5. When you're holding your baby, you no longer notice the drool he has been compiling on your arm.

4. A 15 minute feeding of pureed squash takes 45 minutes to clean off of your baby's face, hands, ears, nose...

3. You have become fluent in the fine art of baby babble.

2. Going to work no longer involves you and a cup of coffee. Now it's you, baby, toys, diapers, wipes, towels, a change of clothes for baby, a blanket, snacks...

1. Everything disappears when your baby looks at you and gives a big gummy smile!!

Another School Year

You can always tell when another school year is fast approaching.

For starters, 2 weeks beforehand all the shops offer tax free shopping on clothes and school supplies. Some how I forget this and choose this particular weekend to go to the mall; only realizing this while I am already out amongst the sea of hustling parents and their children. It's not all that bad, I usually end up benefiting myself; seeing as I only go to the mall when I am in pursuit of something.

I loved the first day of school. The smell of the freshly sharpened pencils and box of crayons would waft it's way to me as I opened all my new supplies; carefully organizing them in my binder and pencil pouch. The nervousness and excitement of a new year, with new kids and teacher would keep me up most of the night in anticipation.

The next morning I would dress in an outfit carefully chosen the night before, and head out into the crisp September air to the bus stop. I would look anxiously up the road for the bright yellow school bus to take us all away, wondering what the day would entail.

Because I still remember those anticipated school nights and days, I tend to observe the faces of the children on tax free day; some nervous, some excited, and some even bored.

Some day I will experience all this with Logan. Depending on where we are at the time, I'll either walk him to the bus stop or drive him to school; feeling a bit saddened that he is growing up so fast. But until then, I will savor every moment I have now.

A Messy House

I have to admit, my house is a disaster. Between my husband, me, Biscuit, Felicity (the cat) and soon Logan, and the fact that we do live on a ranch (dirt, dust, manure, etc.) well, it's just a mess!!

The only day I have available to do housework is Sunday. Because I am getting disgusted with my house (which I also have to admit, doesn't take much), I told my husband that he will need to babysit, hang out, whatever with Logan so that I can get scrubbing.

His response: I will do it for 25 bucks an hour.

My response: What!? You are his father, I'm not paying you to watch your own son!!!

Needless to say, my house is still a mess!

And so I am reminded of a wall hanging at my in-law's house, "This house is clean enough to be healthy and messy enough to be happy."

Oh, These Sleepless Nights.

One of the questions I receive the most from Moms and Dads,"Is he sleeping through the night yet?" I often find myself staring back at them, imagining the dazed and vacant look creeping its way across my eyes.

Sleep? What's that?

"If you feed him solid foods, he'll sleep through the night." The very statement Logan's pediatrician placed upon me at month 4.

At month 6, he wakes up more now than he did at birth. Well, maybe not...but it sure does feel like it.

Yes, I am one of those unlucky mothers with a child who refuses to cooperate and blatently ignores my hypnotizing tatics sent via osmosis, "Sleeeep. You want to sleeeep through the night. Catch some zzzzz's. Mommy needs sleeeeep."

A pet peeve I have; parents who ask the question mentioned above and then proceeds to retaliate with, "My child has always slept the night through; since the day he/she was born."

I can't help but think, "Liar, liar, pants on fire," or "Wow their lack of sleep has made them sooo delusional!"

Now, as I embark on making yet another pot of coffee (my life source), I wish you all a restful Sunday!

Finding the Simple Pleasures

I was watching Logan during play time this morning. Really watching him. I realized how much children get out of the simple pleasures in life.

It could be something as simple as seeing mom and dad, playing with the dog and cat, or watching the horses and cattle.

Logan's laughter echos through the ranch whenever Biscuit comes to play with him, talk to him, or even give him kisses.

For a little older children, pleasure comes from catching that bug they had been chasing for the last 5 minutes, stomping in a mud puddle, or jumping on the bed.

Teenagers and adults may find simple pleasures in lunch with their friends, a walk in their favorite place, shopping, or a good book.

So why do we lose the ability to find the simple pleasures in life? We have the same abilities as children do. Yes, life throws us challenges and turmoils; we start spending days worrying more about work and finances instead of taking a step back to appreciate these challenges and what life has to offer.

A few of my simple pleasures include writing, playing with Logan, reading, and hiking the many acres I have here to find a new discovery (i.e. the meadow 2 springs ago full of wildflowers!)

My challenge for you readers today, find a simple pleasure and enjoy it!!

Heat + Air-conditioner = No comfort

Ok. As you all know, I live in the desert, because Logan is still sitting in a rear-facing car seat, he doesn't get any of the air from the air-conditioner. Therefore, I roll down the windows (you're suppose to roll down the windows while driving in town anyway.) However, again he doesn't get hit.

So whenever we reach our destination, I pull an uncomfortable, sweaty kid out of the back seat. He is usually drenched!

My thought: I'll just pick up a fan that attaches to the back seat of the car, allowing Logan to get some air.

I went to 3 different places and not one of them had anything (not even a fan, just those window shades.)

The response at one store, "we don't carry anything like that, but it would make a great invention!"

A Ranching Mom-I have it made!

I have to admit that I really have it made! I live 30+ miles from the nearest city on a large (28,000 acres) cattle ranch. Because I live so far away, there are no child care facilities nearby, therefore, Logan, my son, comes to work with me everyday.

It is difficult, sometimes, when I have a lot to get done, deadlines to meet, and he just wants to play. He currently does a fake cough to catch my attention if I am absorbed in whatever it is I am doing. But in the end, I save on child care costs, have the opportunity to watch him grow and develop each day, and have an excuse to take time out of a busy day to play!!

I was curious to see how Logan would do while needing to get some work done out in the working facilites. Before Logan was born, I worked outside a lot more, feeding, rounding up cattle on horseback when this needed to be done, doctoring, and so forth. Then when all these things were done, I would head over to the office and take care of the paperwork. Now, I am more of a "keyboard cowgirl" as my husband likes to say. But, we do ultrasounding here on the cattle, and I am the certified ultrasound tech.

Logan did extremeley well!! He just sat in his jogging stroller checking everything out (remember that milestone...Curious about everything.) Our dog, Biscuit, a blue heeler and Logan's "nanny" as we like to refer him as; would entertain Logan between cattle. When Biscuit was having a hard time getting the job done (which is rare), we would just push Logan around for a while, making sound effects of course, then he would be fine again. He would even nap in his stroller until I was/am done.

We are going to head out today to do some ultrasounding. I know Logan will be just fine, watching the bulls mosey on into the chute, Biscuit trying to cover both his positions as cattle dog and "nanny." Just another day out here on the ranch!

"What's in Your Mouth!?"

He walked up to his mom, his face screwed up in a disgusted scowl, "Yucky," he told her.

"What's in your mouth?" she asked him as she held out her hand.

The toddler spit; a handful of chewed up snail shell, guts, and numerous other snail body parts, slimed its way into his mom's hand.

This is a true story told to me yesterday by my dearest friend, a mother of a soon to be 2 year old boy. And something that she will probably be saying a lot more as the days of toddlerhood go on.

We all know that taste is an important part of the 5 senses. Especially for little ones who are just beginning to discover the world. At 6 month's my son has to taste everything. And though there are some things I would rather not have him put in his mouth, (like the clump of dog or cat hair he retrieved from "petting" the two of them), I figure, when he's up and crawling/walking he will have a lot more and worse things (like snails...though I have yet to see one here in the desert...it will proabably be a snake skin, beetle, or some other kind of bug I have yet to identify) that will be in his tight little grasp and heading for those lips and tongue.

It's all just part of being a kid.

So for all those moms out there who fret about the germs that their child will inquire, don't. No matter what you do, they will get the sniffles, or put that (fill in the blank) into his/her mouth. It's just one of those inevitable things of raising a kid.

Mom-timers

Before I had my son, I was a snap at remembering things. Anytime anybody needed a piece of information, I could remember it for them.

Now....

If I don't write it down, I won't have any recollection of it.

A fellow mom just said this to me the other day, "My baby makes me look like a ditz, I considered myself a ditz before, but now, I can't seem to determine up from down."

I had to laugh because I know exactly what she is talking about.

For example, my husband asked me the other day if I would make him a cup of tea, I said I would, but 4 hours later it still wasn't made. He says it's because I don't listen, but I blame mom-timers!

There are just too many other distractions for us moms...feed the family, clean the house, drive the kids to soccer practice, work....this list goes on and on.

How can we possibly remember it all?

Motherhhood-A circus act!

As a newbie to the wide world of bloggers; I find myself stumped. Where should I begin? Should I introduce myself? Tell everybody about me first (that's what profiles are for right?) Or should I just jump into this blog like I've been doing it for months or even years?

I am not meaning this blog to be a drawn out every day encounter of what I am doing..."Today I went to the grocery store, and couldn't believe how much a pack of diapers cost!!" (How interesting could that be?) But as a way to connect with others who know (or are about to know) what a circus act motherhood can be.

For example, how do you maintain your sanity as well as who you are as an individual and yet still be a mom, and/or a wife, an employee, friend, etc...?

So...I suppose to let you all know what kind of circus I run at my house, I should give you some insight on my 3 ring act.

As my profile says, I am a wife, a mother of an adorable 6 month old boy (I am his mother so I am biased...who doesn't think there kid is the cutest!) I also live a not so "normal" life as being an employee (and living) on a rather large cattle ranch in the beautiful state of New Mexico. No 9-5 job for me! Besides all this, I also hold the title of daughter, daughter-in-law, friend, and oh so many more.

But we'll have plenty of time to get into all this (can't give everything away the first blog!)

As the days of motherhood roll on, I will keep posts on milestones, work, relationships, and well, whatever else comes to my mind or yours.

Until then....

Happy Blogging!!