Thoughts for Mother's Day

There is such a simple joy in arriving home with Rowan to our apartment. It is such a relief to come in the door, set down our bags and enter our own world. We often dance and sing together to Rowan’s favorite musician, James Brown- she is such an amazing dancer. She giggles and squeals and smiles with two deep dimples and two long, straight and perfect white teeth. In these moments I feel an intense happiness, an ecstasy, and a contentment that sets the world right and makes me realize that as long as we are together, nothing else matters.
This love is unlike any I’ve felt before. Unlike the love I’ve experienced with the few men I’ve had long term relationships with, it does not depend upon anything. It is not quantified by something Rowan does or does not do. It is not hopeful, looking to the future we might have together, or regretful, pining for a past we could have had. It is not colored by doubt, self-consciousness, suspicion, or jealousy. My love for her is part of me, as she is part of me. It is always living in the moment, cherishing and savoring and memorizing each instant we are alive and together. And the more I get to know this little person, this other part of myself who is flowering into her own individuality, the more I am awed and enraptured by her.
This newfound love has awakened in me a kinship with other mothers everywhere. To be a mother is to nurture the future of the world and to also revel and rejoice in the NOW of everyday with our children. To be a mother is to understand the price of life as every mother is a participant in the earthly mystery of creation. As mothers, let us always band together to protect and enrich this world to continue this cycle of love through our children, our children’s children, and through the children of our fellow mothers across the world.

Our new apartment

We moved into our new home about 2 weeks ago. It is starting to look more like our own so I'll get some pics up soon. It is a two bedroom, though Rowan's room is VERY small. That's OK, she does not spend much time in there. The building is an old schoolhouse and has lots of character, and about 8 13ft. windows! I love it. Rowan had her first overnight with Grandma B this friday and it went very well. Very liberating to know that I can leave her overnight now without many tears, but also strangely unsettling.

Roe and I went out to visit her dad and Amber and Dan. We spent 10 days with them, but Rowan got pretty sick so we didn't do much. I did spend one sunny day at Snowbasin with the Merendas which was wonderful.

Rowan has a new little cousin

Roe and I spent some time with Nick and Hope and their four day old little Joy last night. She is adorable, very sweet, and looks a lot like Nick to me. I took some video and I'm going to try to post it here.

Emme and Will's Visit

Emme brought her boyfriend, Will home for a visit and we had a lot of fun with them. Both Rowan and Mugsly had a good time with him and liked him, so that's a pretty good sign. Rowan has finally gotten 2 or three little needle teeth pocking through on the bottom. She's already used them on me while nursing! She loves it when I touch one of her teeth with my finger and yell "oww! Those are sharp!"

Babies first Boo

Rowan enjoyed her first Halloween, she got to go around trick-or-treating and watch all the kids in their costumes from her stroller. I took a little girl who's parents were helping Dad with his spook house out so we got to go around and not ask for candy...it's not like Rowan can eat it anyway, and I always thought it so strange that people would have a candy bag for an infant. Like we don't know who that candy is really for. Rowan was not frightened by anything, she just enjoyed all the lights and colors, and kept her eyes open as long as she could.

She is not crawling yet but can get about just fine anyway. She does some butt-scootching and some rolling and can pull herself up on her knees to get things on top of tables.

Finally new pics!!

I know I'm horrible. Rowan is so cute and you are all in dire need of new pictures. She is sitting well unaided, and will be crawling any day now. She is eating food, but does not like baby food, she needs some texture. She likes all kinds of diced up squash and apples, as well as cherrios and other baby cracker type things.

We went to visit the Russell/Merendas in Utah a week ago, and Rowan had an awsome time playing with her cousins. She was very good on the flights there and back and just about every man on the plan especially on the way home was in love with her. She is such a flirt! What a great way to meet men though! haha... We went to the zoo in Salt Lake and there was a baby arangatange who seemed to love Rowan too. The too of them stood on either side of the glass with their hands very close to one another and stared and both made noises. I can't believe I didn't get a picture!

I got a new job doing some technical writing/editing as well as some basic clerical duties part time at a company called Northpinte Institute. They make software for prisons and other correctional facilities among other things. I guess it's a good field to get into when the economy is so bad. We always need prisons! Especially during times of economic hardship.

Rowan is enjoying daycare while I'm at work in the mornings! She goes to Miss Tina's house from 9am-1pm everyday and has made a few friends and really seems to enjoy the social time. This is such a relief to me as I was TERRIFIED of taking her to daycare. I am also doing well during our separations, though am always eager to get her when it's time to go.

To Connie and Steve and Kate and Doug and others who are far away, sorry it was so long between pictures this time. I will keep trying to be more consistant, but consistancy never was one of my strengths... Hope you are all well