Roles

Lately I have been thinking about all the roles in life that we, at some point, wear. Every major role in my life allows me to wear smaller roles...some of which are enjoyable and others that are, well, not so enjoyable.

There is the "child" role. This is a role, that, no matter how hard we may try at times or how far we run, we will never lose. Our parents will always "parent" us, give advice, and call us multiple times a day. I have learned that the older I get, the more important this role is. Perhaps its not the importance, rather, its the respect I have for it.

Another role would be the "spouse" role. This is a role that I have proudly worn for 5 years now. He is my absolute best friend. This role enables me to wear a handful of roles within it. I am a comforter, listener, encourager, cook, partner, and cleaner....and lets not forget laundry machine. :)

My newest role in life would be "mommy". I'm sure all the moms out there would agree that no matter what I say, words cannot express the joy that comes with this role. Sure there are frustrating moments. Moments in which sanity is thrown out the window. Its during those moments, when I'm covered in spit up & poop and surrounded by crying babies, that I sit back and just have to laugh (or cry).

I have to wonder...is there a "true" role...one that entirely defines who I am? I think each role has had a very important part of my life. They have made me who I am. One has opened the door for yet another role to enter my life. I find myself sometimes wondering where one specific role might have gone. What happened to that girl I was during that time? Well I have decided that, though I move forward, each role is still there...just buried perhaps. So instead of missing parts of "that girl", I just have to look for her and bring her out from time to time. I have to wash off the spit-up, change out of my mama sweats, and find a way to mix the roles I am missing with my current roles...until the next role of my life knocks on my door :)

Thank you God for allowing us to wear and experience different roles in life :)

Uterus on the street

The rule is to take it easy until 6 weeks after giving birth. My feelings on that....apparently the rule-makers do not have a toddler at home. Seriously, they expect me to not lift Amelia, not play outside with her, and to just relax for an entire 6 weeks??? As blissful as that sounds to many women, I am not one of them. At 3 weeks, I started running again. Maternity clothes fill my closet and haunt my dreams. I don't remember the time it took to get "back to normal" with Amelia. However, I am determined to make it sooner than later with this pregnancy. So....day one of running concluded with me struggling to catch my breath and crawling back to the house. I probably shouldn't confess that I barely made it a block from the house before feeling like death. Day 2 was a little better. I was sore after that run. Not a day or two later I received an interesting facebook message from a good, concerned friend. Her friend was advised by her doctor not to start running prior to 6 weeks because it could result in her uterus falling out!!!! What!!! Though I greatly appreciated the heads-up, I had to do some investigating on my own. Seriously...could you imagine enjoying the day, jogging down the street when, oops...there falls out the good ol' uterus. The image is hilarious!!! Long story short---found out that even though it is false, other damaging things could happen as a running result. So goodbye running for another couple weeks and hello fitness videos in my living room. :)

Thank you God for legs to run and friends who care

Farewell holidays...

Well, its official....the holidays are over. Has anyone else noticed that they older we get, the faster they go? I look forward to the lights, sales, and music; yet, it seems as soon as I start enjoying them, they are over. As I gaze around my living room, I can't help but think it looked so much nicer with all my Christmas decorations up.
The holidays this year were extra special with the addition of Abigail. Though she slept through the meals and gift-giving, it was still her "first Christmas". It was also the first Christmas that Amelia knew and understood what was going on. It was so fun watching her open her gifts. Santa brought her a kitchen with a table and chairs. She was tickled when she saw it. Once it was revealed, she didn't care about anything else. Now whenever guests come over, she immediatly takes their hand and pulls them to her room. She wants everyone to play kitchen with her.
Having a newborn in the house is again, is like a new experience all over. I have changed a lot of diapers in my life....HOWEVER, I have never been pooped on as much as I have been in the past 3 weeks. I keep telling Abi that she was born with no manners. I think she is slightly confused....the poop is supposed to be released when the diaper is ON.....not when I begin changing her. :)
I also have forgotten what it was like to breastfeed. Between nursing her every 3 hours and pumping, I feel like I should be walking around moo'ing. Despite the cow-like feelings, I do love the special bond that is formed. I love being depended on. Amelia has handled it well too. Although I did catch her the other day trying to get Abi to nurse on her (she was holding her with no shirt on). Luckily she couldn't figure out how to get Abigail to reach her chest. I have to admit, I laughed pretty hard at the sight of her trying. :)

Now that the holidays are over and things have calmed down, I will get back to my blogging. I'm sure there will be many things to laugh with me...or at me...about. :)

Thank you God for a daughter who loves her little sister...poop and all.