Summer versus Autumn

Though summer is my favorite season, I find that I am increasingly enjoying autumn as each year passes. I don't think autumn will ever be my absolute favorite since it leads into winter (and winter I'm not sure I will ever love), but it's growing on me.

I came across this poem today and thought it was worthy of remembering in the future.

“I am rich today with autumn's gold,
All that my covetous hands can hold;
Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod,
A goldfinch on a milkweed pod,
Huge golden pumpkins in the field
With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield,
Golden apples heavy on the trees
Rivaling those of Hesperides,
Golden rays of balmy sunshine spread
Over all like butter on warm bread;
And the harvest moon will this night unfold
The streams running full of molten gold.
Oh, who could find a dearth of bliss
With autumn glory such as this!”
     -Gladys Harp

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. Blogging is a challenge for me. I'm a very private person, but some piece of me needs a connection and I see this whole blogging world as one I'd like to be a part of.

2. A current fashion trend I wish I was brave enough to wear is tall boots with skinny jeans tucked in. I'm not sure I'll ever be comforatble even trying skinny jeans on, but I love the look on others.

3. My greatest accomplishment in life thus far is giving birth.

4. If I had to choose between a mountain or a beach vacation I'd choose a mountain vacation hands down. I think know I'd get bored at the beach; I'd rather be hiking and climbing.

5. A talent I wish I had is being able sing. I love the emotion of it and listening to others who are so talented.

6. A talent I do have is baking(?), and of course, being able to eat my baked goods too.

7. This week seemed long, but tomorrow is Saturday and I get to row at a regatta despite being out of the rowing scene pretty much all year.
 
Found this here via here and decided to join in.

Four Months

I missed taking Wyatt's four month pictures by a little over a week, but that's still better than I did with his three month pictures. Today was his four month check-up with shots (which he didn't even cry about). He now weights 16 pounds, 7 ounces.

And for good measure...

Finding Time

I have post-its, notebook pages and brainwaves full of things I want to post/say, pictures I want to share, and more. Yet I seem to have difficulty finding the time to do everything or anything at all. Maybe though, it's not really about finding the time, but rather being purposeful with my time. I need to find some balance and a way to feel like I can enjoy the little guy but also write, create and share.

Book-marked

Throughout all the baby showers, I asked for children's books as gifts. I really wanted books more than anything. I think I was raised mostly on Little Golden Books and Sesame Street books. My cousin and his wife gave us The Giving Tree. Surprisingly, I've never read this before. It's sad. Or at least it makes me sad.

My mother-in-law gave us The Runaway Bunny, which I had also never read as a child. I just read this one for the first time and it's also sad.

My collection of children's books is still small, but I was excited to find this post on A Cup of Jo. I haven't had a chance to read through all the comments yet, but I'm excited to make note of everyone's suggestions.

Keeping Up

Ahh...my intentions are good, but by follow through is not. I have ideas for blog posts daily, but lack the time and inspiration to actually sit down and write. And I like to write so why am I not bothered enough to actually do it?

Today though...I have about 30 hours of FML left so I decided to take this afternoon off just for myself. I'm head to the boathouse to row (for the fourth time this year). My rowing attempt on Tuesday evening was called off due to threatening skies and thunder. Today, however, is beautiful.

Lots to do, of course. The in-laws are coming tomorrow. I have floors to dust (good thing Wyatt can't crawl yet; by necessity, my house might be cleaner when he does). I have cookies to make.* I have chicken spaghetti to stir up for the in-laws to eat while they are babysitting tomorrow (the husband and I will be at the Ohio State v. Miami game). I have laundry to fold. Milk to pump. A stovetop to clean. More milk to pump. Etc.

But, I am taking the rest of the afternoon for me.

*Cookies were made once, but we ate them all. All of them. Really, it's true. I probabaly ate 75% of them myself. So I have to start again...

Great Aunt Martha's Coffee Cake, Attempt #1

Failure.

I figured this might take some time to get right, but I didn't quite expect to fail so badly the first time. My shortening wouldn't melt, and the dough didn't really seem to rise all that much. But at least I tried...better luck next time?

Back At It

After 11 and a half weeks at home with the little guy, today is my last day at home. I am excited about retunring to work; I'm looking forward to interacting with other people and feeling a sense of accomplishment at completing work-related tasks.

The first two months at home were really hard! I'm used to being quite active and on the go. Instead, I found myself struggling as I sat on the couch feeding or holding the little guy and watching Living with Ed, Renovation Nation, A Baby Story/Bringing Home Baby, and Say Yes to the Dress. During that time, I rotated between about three outfits consisting of t-shirts and running shorts. Before having the little guy, I didn't really think it was possible to have a day where I didn't even have time to take a shower or brush my teeth, but it's true and it happened!

The last few weeks have been better though. The little guy isn't crying as much and he's become more interactive. We can spend a good 30-45 minutes playing in the morning when he wakes up before he even wants to eat. In the past week or so, he's also (finally!) developed something of a nap pattern, taking one nap during our walk in the morning and another mid-afternoon.

Despite comments from the parents and in-laws, I do not feel guilty about taking him to child care. I really do think it will be good for him in the long run. I do, however, feel challenged about having a 45 hour/week job and knowing that he'll be spending more of his waking hours at child care than he will at home. But for me and my personality, I know that I will cherish my time with him even more when I do see him and spend time with him in the evenings and on weekends. I am anxious about the first day/week in terms of dropping him off, picking him up, and learning the whole process as well as developing our routine.

Lake Erie Vacation

We spent a few days last week at Lake Erie. Activities consisted of eating plenty of food, jaunts on a golf cart, a few morning runs through East Harbor State Park, and stroller rides for the little guy. It was nice (for me) to get out of the house for a few days. I'm not sure I can completely count this as a vacation, but it's the closest thing I'm going to get for now.

Back on the Water...

After an eight-month pregancy related hiatus, I made it back on the water yesterday. The water was perfectly flat, so I decided to brave a single and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and comfortable it felt. I hoping to get one or two rows per week in for the rest of the season.