Toof!

It's Sunday at 1pm and I'm tucked in my bed with Scout at my side. Hunter is taking a nap and Jared is on his way home from duck hunting in Missouri. Life is certainly different than I ever thought it would be. I woke up this morning to a baby making little noises to let me know that he is up and ready to party. He actually giggles when I walk in the room in the morning because he's so excited to have company. He is the happiest little kid in the world and we've had a nice day. We went to grocery store and I decided that the days of the Bjorn are behind us. The kid is too heavy and I think he's ready to sit up in the cart surrounded by the fancy cushion that my mother-in-law got me. Funny to think that in years past, kids probably just sat in the cart. Now, they sit in a little cushion for comfort as well as sanitation purposes. There are many things we need/don't need. We then returned to the house and have since taken a walk with Scout and had lunch and a couple of naps.

Jared left for Missouri on Thursday evening with Bill and Carter, so I've been holding down the fort with Hunter and Scout. I have to admit, I'm tired. We've enjoyed some excursions and had a nice weekend, but I'm tired. I'm mainly tired of lugging everything around. It's amazing how much energy it takes to put Hunter in the carseat, put in the carseat in the car, take him out of the carseat and put him in the Bjorn, pick out grocery items from the shelf and put them in the buggie, move them from the buggie to the conveyer belt, move the bags of groceries from the buggie to the car, put Hunter back in the carseat, get home and unload Hunter as well as the groceries, take Scout out to potty, and then get lunch ready for Hunter and me after a potty break for me and a change of diaper for Hunter. 

I'm actually on the quest to put a few pounds back on my body and it isn't surprising when I think of my movement in those terms. Plus, the fact that I'm not only sustaining myself, but also primarily sustaining Hunter with food. There just isn't much of any down time with children whether one is working or not. That is really one of the biggest changes. There isn't the nap just because it would feel so good right now or the run to Target just because it would be fun to wander the aisles. Life takes coordination now and planning. 

While Hunter is a major love and positive addition to my life, the reality of life with him is still an adjustment and may always be in some ways. I remember my Dad told me once that nothing could prepare you for children. He was so right. I spent a ton of time with my nephews, but that was a whole different ball game than the ins-and-outs of parenting on a daily basis. I am overwhelmed with love for my child and the joy of watching Jared father him and my family enthusiastically embrace him. However, I also grieve the freedom I once had to just do whatever the hell I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it. For instance, Brad and his family were headed out to dinner last night at 5:30pm. I didn't join them because Hunter needed to go home and start getting ready for bed. I then ate nachos on the couch while watching Modern Family which wasn't a bust by any means, but certainly wasn't the Chop House with my beloved family. It's a different way of life that it very child focused. I'm sure the flexibility will increase over time once bedtime isn't at 6:30-7pm and naps aren't so crucial to absolute survival. We'll see. 

However, in other news, a first "toof" is coming in! 

And the hair. The hair is still trumptastic.