More of the Same

The other day I was sitting on the couch with Libby after her morning milk.  Lately she’s been pretty cuddly in the morning, so after milk she kneels in my lap facing me, snuggling her little face deep into my shoulder.  We rock side to side, we sing a little, we whisper about all the tasks of the day ahead… it’s such a little treat for me.  Coffee in the right hand, Libby on the left shoulder, and inevitably something I recorded HGTV is on in the background. 

 

I’m quite obsessed.  I never knew we had HGTV.  We did a major DirecTV downgrade after our first year and lost all the “good” channels.  We don’t even have ESPN.  But as it turns out, we’ve had HGTV all along.  I didn’t make this amazing discovery until I was boooooooored on New Year’s Day 2013, the DVR was empty and for once in my life I was actually channel surfing.  VERY Happy Moment.

 

Aaaaanyway, back to our morning.  She was just kneeling there, cuddled into me, making all her funny tongue-clicking and bubble-blowing noises.  The house was quiet; Tim was not home from his morning run yet and both dogs were passed out at my feet, warm in front of the fire.  The fresh snow we got overnight was beginning to sparkle in the pink glow of an early winter morning.  The Property Brothers (recorded sometime in the wee hours of the night) were about to do a big reveal.  And I was giddy in the knowledge that my “Monday Chore” (laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away all in one day) was well underway, as I had finally been smart enough to sort and even start washing the night before.  Everything felt so cozy and wonderful.  Does it get any better than this?

 

Yup, it does.  Suddenly she was ready to start her day.  She stretches her little arms out to the side, then presses them against my chest, pops up with a HUGE grin on her face, and starts bobbing that little head from side to side.  “Let’s go, Mom! Cuddle time is done!”

 

I’m a happy, happy Mama today.  I’m a happy Mama most days, actually.  In the past, when my blog dropped off completely for the better part of two months, it was not a good sign.  It meant there was no news to share, or I was in a rough state of mind – back then, “more of the same” was not a good thing.  But since Libby came on the scene, "more of the same" is definitely a good thing.

 

I’ve not written since mid-December, because life has been pretty simple, but simply wonderful.  A week before Christmas, our daycare arrangement fell through, which accelerated my already-almost-there decision to stay at home full-time with Libby.  After a couple weeks of generous help from church members, I finished out my three-day-a-week schedule and began my new routine the first week of January.  I work only on Fridays, which Tim and Libby enjoy as “Daddy Day.” The rest of the week, I “attempt” to keep the house clean, catch up on the endless list of paperwork and projects that were so easily shoved off when I went back to work in July, and, most importantly, give Libby the extra work she needs at home to support all the work we’re doing in therapy on motor skills and general development.

 

While it is nice to have the laundry back on a regular schedule and to be crossing things off The List, my favorite part of being home is enjoying those little, “more of the same” moments.  Singing “Wheels on the Bus” over and over and over to get a laugh when the babies on the bus go “wah, wah, wah.” Wide-eyed, hungry hubby asking, “Are those biscuits from scratch?” (Yes, they were, and quite delicious, but can you really use the term “from scratch” when they’re only three ingredients?) And best of all, those morning cuddles on the couch.  Keep that "more of the same" coming, yes please, if those cuddles are a part of it.

 

So that’s my long overdue-update; my news is that there’s no news.  And I love it that way.

 

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Well, I suppose I can’t say “NO” news, we have had some exciting things happen around there. If you haven’t caught up with us through facebook lately, here are some fun updates from December and January.

 

 

First of all, Libby's first Christmas with us! It was so precious.  Grandma and Grandpa Redfield came to join in the fun.  Of course, Tim and I have so much going on during the Christmas services so it was really nice to have them to help with her.  She was such a doll all dressed up!

 

 

 

Shortly after Christmas, I took advantage of my new work schedule and took Libby up north to my parents' house for a few days.  It was tough to leave Daddy and our puppies at home alone, especially because we would be gone for my birthday, BUT I got to go to the Packer-Viking playoff game with my dad and cousin, AND I was in the right place at the right time for the arrival of our new niece, Reagan Elise.  She was born January 7th, on my 30th birthday, and Libby and I got to visit her just a few hours "new" (and every day thereafter until we had to go home :)

 

 

Back up north for Reagan's baptism on January 26, and this time Tim got to come with us and use some vacation time.  We enjoyed baby snuggles, lots of snow to play in, and a relaxing five days catching up with family.  Libby really loves napping with Grandpa :)

 

I got outside for some beautiful winter photos, both at home and on vacation.  I love winter so much!

Libby dearest has been cutting FOUR molars all at once for the past few weeks.  Poor thing.  She's been really cuddly (which I guess I don't mind) and just kind of mellow and blah! In the evening the teeth really seem to bother her and we just feel so, so sad for her.  She's sleeping lots and lots and is extra-sensitive to loud noise and strange environments. Can't wait until these stinking teeth finish coming through and we can enjoy this smile more often!