striving for happiness...

I have to come to a realization: I don't think I could ever be a stay-at-home mom. Don't get me wrong - I love my daughter to death, but it is exhausting! Hardest part is setting up a routine and sticking to it. This week my goal is to not turn the tv on during the day, and to take Hailey and Jasper out for a walk every day. Tonight we went to the park and played on the swings. My little girl sure does love being up in the air!

I have still been on the lookout for jobs, though things are moving slowly. Some interviews, some talking. For now, I am just going to enjoy my time off. Getting some sewing done (more baby sleeping sacks, placemats, little quilts), doing some new baking (homemade lemon tarts, chicken stew, granola), and visiting family (going to Medicine Hat to visit the grandpa). Between all of that I am trying to do some reading, teaching my baby, and taking photos again.

Anyway, here are some shots I took tonight at the park. It's kind of amazing how much I love this little one. It's a bit overwhelming at times…

Oh boy. I am sitting here listening to my little girl cry and cry, refusing to go to bed. One of the hardest parts of being a parent - letting the little one cry and choosing not to do anything about it! Both of us are still getting over our colds. She's still got a pretty runny nose and slept with us in bed last night as she was up coughing and pretty upset all through the evening. Poor thing...

Anyway, we had a pretty busy day around here today. Got the roof done (finally!), which means no more leaks in our front room. Yayy! Then tonight I watched the tv show 'Glee' for the first time. I kind of feel like I am the only one around who hasn't seen this show yet (besides my sister, right?) I'm going to say that I was not totally disappointed. Tracey, you were right - I love Sue Sylvester! What a funny character. Kind of unbelievable what they get away with on tv now, hey?

Anyway, all about books. I thought that when I finished school and my placements I would have so much more time to read, but by the time I get through my day and into bed, I'm too exhausted to do any reading! I did just finish one: 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides. Here is a little blurb about it: "I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974." And so begins Middlesex, the mesmerizing saga of a near-mythic Greek American family and the "roller-coaster ride of a single gene through time." The odd but utterly believable story of Cal Stephanides, and how this 41-year-old hermaphrodite was raised as Calliope, is at the tender heart of this long-awaited second novel from Jeffrey Eugenides, whose elegant and haunting 1993 debut, The Virgin Suicides, remains one of the finest first novels of recent memory."

(Umm...did you know that you can read entire novels on Google? Not sure how I feel about this yet...thoughts?)

Next up for me is going to be the last book in the Millennium series, 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest'. So, so excited. If you haven't started the series yet, you should. But really try and keep going and get through the first few chapters of the first book. They are dry and political, and boring, but it gets so much better! I also have the latest Vinyl Cafe book on the go, which I try and read when I can. And finally, mom gave me her copy of Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb. It's meant to be a Christmas story, but you should really try to grab a copy of it. I am only three chapters into it, but it is so funny. I have laughed out loud a number of times already.

So what's keeping you busy? What are you reading?

So I have really gotten into some tv shows lately. As I have mentioned in the past, my favourites right now are Top Chef, Mad Men, and Rubicon. Now with all of the new tv shows starting up again, I think I am going to be in trouble. Grey's Anatomy, V, and Law & Order: Los Angeles? I don't think I am going to be seeing my friends for a while. Also, I may be asking for a babysitter more often then not! Ha…

This has been a bit of a brutal weekend around our home. Hailey and I have both come down with a cold, and I feel so bad for the little one! She can't fix herself like I can do with myself (hello Tylenol and lemon tea!) I even tried to get some sewing done tonight, but I had no interest and no energy to do it. Now that is sad. Especially since I have a ton of projects to get going on: Halloween quilt, two Christmas ones, a costume for Hailey, maybe a tablecloth? I am so excited…

Anyway, that's all I've got for tonight. Tomorrow I am going to take a hint from Tracey and do a little write up on some books! I love having time to read now that school is done!

Hope you had a good weekend...

I have decided to join a playgroup with Hailey so that she will be able to start socializing with other babies and kids. Today is the first day. I so do not wish today was the first day. It is 9:00am and I need to leave in 20 minutes and I haven't showered and I haven't had my coffee and it is 10 degrees outside and I want to go back to bed.

I will let you know how it goes - oh, and I am engorged because the little one has stopped breastfeeding.

SUPER!!

wow...I am not even really sure where to start! So much has happened over the past month with me finishing up with school, starting the job hunt, and dealing with a teething-crawling-walking/shuffling little girl.

So I will just start off with a video (click to watch it bigger - it's getting cut off a bit):



So, so great. I love watching dancing, and so badly wish I could do it well myself. I mean, don't get me wrong - just ask my friends about my "three" awesome moves!

So what have I been doing for the past month? Let's recap:

1. I did finish my final school placement on a gynecological surgery unit, which was absolutely fantastic. I saw so much and learned an incredible amount of information. I saw a major hemorrhage, a major abdominal surgery which the surgeon let me scrub in for and participate in, and started a whole bunch of IVs! Next up, I've got my provincial registration exam on the 15th - wish me luck!

2. Went to Moose Jaw for a week to visit Slappin' Grandma in her new home. P.S. Hailey is a fantastic traveler!

3. Speaking of Hailey, let me tell you what is new with that little one. She has a total of FOUR teeth coming in her top gum. Four giant big-girl teeth! She is going to look so different! She is crawling over the place, almost at break neck speed! She is also pulling herself up to stand whenever she can, and her Grandpa is definitely her favourite person of the moment. Also, she decided last night that she is done breastfeeding. I wish she would have let me know ahead of time...

4. I have been trying to stay caught up with my sewing, but between school and Hailey and studying, it has unfortunately taken a place on the back burner for just one more week. But I have finished a few projects including this stuffed bunny which I made for Lynette's little girl:




5. I have gotten into a few tv shows lately, and am especially in love with Mr. Draper. Am also enjoying this show, as well as this one, which I am still trying to figure out.

6. Some of my best friends have moved to a land far, far away called New York. We are going to plan a trip next year which will be exciting. Especially with all of us cramped in their little Manhattan apartment - I can't wait! In Tiff's honour, I have told her that I will keep her up-to-date on happenings in the hood. We shared some great stories about funny folks we ran into down in the inner city, close to our homes. I will try to keep my eye out for you, my friend!

Anyway, that's about it for me for now. Again, I apologize. Hope all is well with you.

c.