They said they could tell a difference in the development of their child each day. I thought to myself "no way - such liars". But now, I'm one of them. Linnea is literally getting stronger and more mobile each and every day. The crawling stage is close upon us and it will probably be a matter of a couple weeks before she's cruising all the way across the floor. Yesterday she could scoot a few inches backwards by pushing off of the ground with her arms. Today she scooted backwards to get away from something and moved a couple feet!
Baby proofing our house is next on the weekend list of "to do's" along with lowering the crib mattress. Things certainly have changed from the weekend plans of a Saturday morning bikeride followed by a day of yardwork or ultimate frisbee practice. This week I totally chickened out of our Wednesday night run because of bad weather and the fact that Linnea wouldn't be able to join us. Rain and wind are no fun for a 6 month old - although I seriously contemplated suiting her up in her pink snowsuit so she could come with us. Somehow we got the entire crew to bag out on the run, which never happens. That kid (along with the crap weather) sure has us wrapped around her finger.
I've been having the dreams that represent the fears of a mother. Once I wasn't holding Linnea on a flatbed trailer and she fell off as we rounded a corner. Another time I was in Fred Meyers and I turned my head away from the cart to get something and when I returned she was missing. Last night I was watching a performance at my high school reunion and was juggling a grocery bag, Miguel's backpack and Linnea. I got so engrossed in the show that the next time I looked down, Linnea was nowhere in sight. I had left her in another section of the stadium by herself. So, I don't know if these dreams will continue for the rest of my life, but now that I'm finally getting longer stretches of sleep, it is more stressful to be asleep and ironically, a huge relief to wake up!
I don't think I ever officially made the annoucement that I'm only 3 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight, but as of yesterday morning, I only weighed 138! At the tippy top of the pregnancy I was 160 - and 150 after Linnea was born. Thanks to our weekly runs, a few bikerides and 4 months of boot camp, I'm back in the game. I can even do 10 pullups again, and I played in a women's Goaltimate tournament a couple weekends ago. Yay for back to normal!
I've been a bit reflective recently and have to mention that I feel extremely fortunate to be in this life. Even with the ups and downs, I love the time I spend with my family & pets, friends, and co-workers. Looking back at my past 10 or 12 years ago, I could never have guessed that path it would take. I own the dog of my ex roommate from 8 years ago. I married that guy I met on a rock climbing trip 12 years ago. I was pregnant and have a child of my own - what?? I'm the creative director of the web company of which I interned with 5 years ago (following a spontaneous lunch with Rusty). I went to college for 5 years studying biology and gave up teaching science to become a web designer. I don't know that it's material good enough for a novel - but I love it just the same. Bring it on - what's next?
