Children, Train Up Your Parents

I know that I will have a lot to teach Emmeline one day. The inevitable day will come when she learns to talk, and in addition to all the I-love-you-Mommy's come the you-can't-make-me's and the i-do-it-myself's and of course the simple "no". It may be short, and sweet, but oh, so much rebellion comes packed into those two little letters! However, these days, even though I am supposedly bigger, stronger, and smarter than little Emmeline, I find more and more that it is she who is teaching me.

She teaches me to be a morning person. Every day I get her out of bed and she is happy, alert, and has a huge smile on her face. She did not get that from either of her parents! Speaking for myself, I almost always wake up grouchy--at least I used to. In order to keep up with her, I am learning to get up earlier and with a better attitude. It's still a struggle, but that is when Emmeline most wants to have quality time with me, and if she can give me her best at 6:00 am, then I should be able to give her my best as well.

She reminds me to keep my priorities straight. This is also one of the blessings of being a working mother. If I have to choose between dishes, or family, I've decided to choose family every time--or at least until we run out of dishes. I have 30 minutes in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening, and she is growing up fast. Life is too short to spend it all on chores. Our house may be a disaster, but please excuse the mess--I'm making memories.

Emmeline shows me joyful contentment in action. Emmeline has been blessed with a closetful of clothes and toys, but how is she happiest? In her diaper, being held by Mommy or Daddy. Instinctively, she knows that people are more important than things. This is something I could do well to remember the next time I grow dissatisfied with the items in my closet. I pray this is something she doesn't grow out of--or worse, something I train out of her with my tendencies towards materialism.

Emmeline also demonstrates childlike faith to me. She can't talk yet, but the way she looks at Josh and I says, "I trust you completely." If that isn't proof enough, then watch the way she tries to climb, leap, or roll out of our arms. She has no fear--she knows that whatever happens, Mommy or Daddy will catch her. It's both an awesome blessing and a huge responsibility to be on the receiving end of faith like that.

I have to admit I sometimes wonder at the idea that I'm supposed to be the mature one. There I stand, pettily complaining about rude customers at work, or the lack of sweets in our pantry, and Emmeline cries out to be held. She just wants her mommy, and she is satisfied. If only I longed for my Heavenly Father the way she longs for her parents, maybe I would be more content too.

9 Reasons Why Emmeline Makes Me Smile

1. Big, open-toothed grins
2. Funny faces galore
3. So much to say for someone who can't talk
4. Giant-sized determination in a pint-sized body
5. Warm, cuddly snuggles every day!
6. Big, curious eyes that want to see everything that's going on
7. Looks of joyful, contentment whenever she knows her mommy and daddy are watching her.
8. Dainty fingers and toes
9. Pink dresses, ruffles, and bows!

Who makes you smile, and why? Make that the 10th item on my list!

New Layout

The last one didn't have enough pizzaz for Emmie and me.

You're Never too Young for Read Alouds

This Little Piggy?

Motherhood does some funny things to your brain cells. For instance, here is the version of "This Little Piggy" that I have so sweetly been reciting to Emmeline recently:

This little piggy went to market.
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy went wee, wee, wee--all the way home.

She's Irresistible!

Josh sent me this picture at work yesterday. It's from Emmie's afternoon nap. She loves silky things. She loves to rub her face in them (this includes--in addition to the blanket pictured--a pair of Mommy's silky pajama pants, and the underside of her lovey). Is this girl a princess, or what? She has very cultivated tastes for an 11 week old. I'm looking forward to mommy-daughter spa days when she gets older.

I'm going to have to get a picture of her doing her new favorite sport: walking. No, not on her own (she may be a genius, but she's not THAT advanced!). She gets so excited when you stand her up, and she loves to try and take steps. I love watching her wobble around on those little bowlegs while she tries to figure out what to do with her feet. She always has the most excited look on her face when we help her stand up. I'm pretty sure we have an independent, strong-willed daughter. I don't know where she could have gotten that from! I'm thankful for it though--it might make disciplining hard later on, but if she keeps this attitude up, she can conquer anything she sets her mind too!

She also has discovered the television, and she is fascinated. Her favorite thing to watch is Enchanted. I think she likes the songs, and the bright colors. Apparently this morning her daddy leaned down to kiss her and got in the way of her movie, and she was quite put out. The other night she was watching the Wiggles during her tummy time. We turned it off so she could skype with her grandmommy, and she was not happy about it! I guess she's ready for Baby Einstein dvds now. Might be easier on our ears, too! No offense to the Wiggles, but "the Beatles for kids"? I'm just not seeing--or hearing--it. Enchanted, I don't mind so much though.

Two posts in one week? My readers might get spoiled.

Working Girl

I only have time to write because I'm waiting on Josh to fix me a hot water bottle. Sitting at a computer all day, then holding a baby all night (not that I mind the second part) is terrible on my back. Do you know, today when I got home from work, I actually heard myself say the following?

"I spend all day at work and it's still not enough to pay the bills, and I never even see half my paycheck because the money is taken out before it gets to me."

Now, I know that phrase was uttered in a low-blood sugar induced fit of passion, but still, when did I turn into Ward Cleaver? And I'm sure if my dear old dad had heard me, he would have either had a heart attack, or he would have been gleefully shouting I told you so's. If working full time has taught me anything, it's that I make a lousy husband. And, if staying at home has taught Josh anything, it's that he makes a pretty poor housewife. Some people say a role reversal helps them appreciate their other half so much more, and I guess in a sense, that's true, but I have a better way to put it: it makes me appreciate and long for my (dare I say "God given"?) role as a wife and mother. I was not cut out to be the financial support for our family. Josh, try as he might, is not cut out to be the family's emotional support, and he knows it.

In times when I find I'm longing for my circumstances to change, I always think of the Trace Adkins song "You're Gonna Miss This" (I could probably make this my life song, the way I struggle with discontentment). Am I ever going to miss working full time? Maybe. I'm sure, that one day--when I am blessed to be able to stay home full time--there will be days when I am covered in spit up, the baby is screaming, and the house is a mess, and I will sinfully start to think "Life was so much easier when I spent all day at the office." I hope I don't ever find myself thinking that way. If God works all things together for good, then here is the good that I hope to gain from my present situation:

I hope, that when I am a full time wife and mother, that I will be able to find joy on even the most difficult of days, because I am the one that gets to be there to wipe the spit up, soothe the tears, and manage the home.

I will appreciate Josh when he gets a job, and honestly (although I should appreciate him the same no matter what) I will probably appreciate him even more when he is working and I am not. Honestly, when I do get to come home, he will probably appreciate me more, too. We both know that we are not wired for this type of role reversal. Walking a mile in Josh's shoes may teach me many things, and I am begrudgingly grateful for that, but that still doesn't change the fact that my shoes fit me better.

And my hot water bottle has been ready for awhile. In fact, I think it's cold now.