Scattered Thoughts

I started to write earlier today, but Micah cut my post short when she awakened from her nap far too early. Fierce resistance of sleep is apparently our new normal. We're headed back to the pediatrician in the morning to see if the tonsillitis has gotten any better. I know without even going to the doctor that something isn't right with my child. She's not her normal happy, healthy, easy-go-lucky, content self. That has made life a little difficult lately, which has not allowed me to keep up with my promise to post five days a week. But last week I posted four times. That's 80 percent of my goal.

An 80 isn't a shabby grade, is it?

I would have flipped out if I had gotten an 80 on a report card. I was such an over-achieving perfectionist. I had issues. I hope I don't project them onto my children.

I'm obviously scattered right now. I've found it difficult to collect my thoughts over the past week. Most of my energy {and that includes brain activity} has been focused around soothing my sick child.

It's difficult for me to focus on much else.

But I did manage to complete a couple of custom designs last week, and I'm super excited to share them with you, but it will have to wait until at least tomorrow.

The doctor's appointment is early in the morning, and I need to dry my hair before I can crawl into bed.

If you're the praying type, please pray that my child will sleep well tonight. We could all use the rest :)

Until next time, grace and peace.

Happy Signs of Spring

Did y'all know that it's spring already? I've been relishing life without running the heater as the thermostat in our house has risen from a steady 68 to 70 to 72 and has finally landed at 76. That's when I had to turn the air conditioner on for just a few minutes. My baby was sweating on me while I rocked her. That's a sure sign that it's too warm in the house. AC or not, I'm already excited about receiving our next power bill; it has to be lower than it was last month. Lower electricity bill aside, I love spring. It's absolutely my favorite time of year. After the coldness and deadness and drabness and dreariness of winter, my soul needs the spring. It longs for sunny days, daffodils peeking through the grass, bursts of forsythia, and Bradford Pear trees burdened with thousands of tiny blooms.

Oh, and flip flops.

And painted toenails.

My soul needs those things too.

A couple of weeks ago, Micah and I ventured outside for her first outdoor photo shoot, and while we were out, I snapped a few shots of the forsythia and Bradford pear blooms. They're the first herald of spring around here.

Forsythia2.jpg
BradfordPear2.jpg

Sigh. Seeing those two things made my heart happy.

So do flip flops.

And painted toenails.

What makes your heart happy?

Until next time, grace and peace.

Tripped Up By Another Hurdle

Well, that was a short respite. Just two days ago, I shared my theory that motherhood is a marathon of hurdles. I was basking in the glow of a baby who slept 12 hours at night and took three long naps all by herself. Life was good. Then she got a runny nose. I took her to the doctor, thinking that she just had allergies, like her mama. But no.

"I'll tell you what's wrong with her," said Dr. Freeman. "She's got tonsillitis."

"Tonsillitis? Seriously?" I asked.

"Seriously," said Dr. Freeman. "Her tonsils are red, swollen and covered with puss."

"But she's not acting like her throat hurts. She only coughs when she tries to swallow the snot that's running all over her face," I responded.

"It's tonsillitis," said Dr. Freeman.

Dear friends. Just so you know. Tonsillitis on an almost-7-month-old baby isn't fun. If she wasn't acting like she was in pain earlier, she's definitely acting like it now. Last night, we spent the night in the chair, after repeated attempts to lay her down in the crib. When her head hit the bed, she shrieked in agony {at least that's how I interpreted the shrieks}. Needless to say, I called for backup. My mama {aka Nana} is here, and she has taken over rocking responsibilities for now.

Tonsillitis. I never would have guessed.

Hello hurdle. I'm not really pleased to meet you. Please go away soon.

Thanks.