Ahh, the simple things

As the weather starts to get warmer, and then colder, then warmer again, and then, colder (hey, it's the south. What do you expect?), I've found myself enjoying the simple things that I seem to take for granted so easily.

Like the birds. I never thought I would find myself as one who enjoys watching birds, but I flippin' love it. No joke.

A few weeks ago, we hung a blue bird house in the back yard that Paul built. His sisters got one for Christmas, and he made an extra for us. Within two days, we had a blue bird couple move in.

We are able to watch the birds from our laundry room. The back wall is full of windows, and my wonderful husband washed them inside and out for my viewing pleasure.

As I sit and watch the birds, I can't help but think about how simple life really is for the birds. We make sure they are well fed. We've supplied a bird house, and every few weeks they get a special treat: moldy bread.

And, I watch them. I watch the momma robins search for worms. I watch the sapsuckers eat the suet, and perch from tree to tree. I watch the cardinals- probably my favorites- fill the ground and the feeders. At one point in time, I watched 12 take in a hearty meal.

I watch the doves try to eat from the feeders, and watch as they give up because they are too big. They eventually sit on the ground and wait for the leftovers that get pushed out. I watch the occasional blue jay muscle it's way around, causing all the others to fly off.

I watch the squirrels figure out ways to get to the seeds. Sometimes they hang from one feeder and try to reach for the others. Some times, they munch on the feeders themselves until they can easily reach the seed.

What I've discovered is that when I take the time to slow down, and watch the simple things, I seem to enjoy life more. When I take the time to just watch Ansley, rather than worrying about "keeping the schedule," we laugh together. And I just melt.

When I look at the simple things, like how much I love Paul, the big things aren't as overwhelming. Sure, the bills still have to be paid, but I know they will be.

The simple things in life often get away from us. I've been so concerned about Ansley learning to roll over that I'm missing all the simple things she's doing. Like discovering new toys. Or finding her feet. Or carrying on a conversation with her mobile. Even if it is 3 a.m.

This post isn't funny, or witty, and I've decided that's ok. Because sometimes I mask what's really going on in an attempt to get a laugh. And then, we all miss it.

I want to take each minute and make it a moment. And, I want to document it, either by picture or words. It's not going to be easy, and they may not be posted daily, but I hope to keep this going, and I challenge you to do the same.

I'll start with a month. Then, maybe two. And I'll see where it goes. Some days, maybe I will capture that roll. Other days, it may just be something simple, like my tulips that are breaking through the winter ground.

Enjoy the simple pleasures. Like a good book and cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day in March. Or, let the babe enjoy the bath a little longer, even if it does push bedtime back. Because you may miss something, and my may not be able to get that moment back.

Order up!

Today marks three weeks of Ansley enjoying rice cereal.

Though, really, "enjoying" may not be the most appropriate of words. Maybe that sentence should read "...Ansley wearing rice cereal." Yeah, that is much more accurate.

I wasn't sure we were ready to start solids. I mean, there is so much debate over when to start with solids. I've heard everything from 2 weeks to 12 months. I wasn't sure when exactly the right time would come.

At her 4 month appointment, her doc gave us the go to start solids. He suggested a few weeks of rice cereal for breakfast and dinner, and adding in veggies and fruits one at a time a few weeks down the road.

I held off a few days more, but realized we were feeding lots of formula just to keep her full a few hours at a time. The doc did tell us that feeding her rice would help her sleep longer at night and go longer throughout the day.

So, we tried it.

At first, not a fan. But, once she figured out it was indeed food, she got a little more excited, and really started enjoying it. And, it seemed like with every bite she took, I there right with her, opening my mouth as I put the spoon to her mouth, and closing when she needed to close. When I finally realized I was doing that, I felt like a total loser. But, Ansley caught on to the eating process.

She sees the spoon, and mouth opens wide. It's become a total reflex. And, honestly, I really think she was ready. Sure, the first couple of times, she was probably wearing as much as she ate, but, we're getting better. Now, we don't have to ditch the clothes for the food. If the spoon doesn't come fast enough, she's sure to let us know she is angry. I can also foresee a problem with sharing.

So, she's a regular rice cereal eater. And, she likes it. It fits nicely into our routine, and she does sleep better...most of the time.

So, she was ready. Much more so than I was, or am, really. Everyone told me this time would fly by, but I don't think I truly understood what they meant. Each and every day, she gets older, and a little further away from being that little bundle that came home on September 26. She's changing.

And, so am I. Motherhood has changed me ways I never thought possible. But I love it. I love playtime, and bathtime and bedtime, and all the time in between. And, even though right now, I know she relies on my hand to hold that spoon, one day, she won't need me. One day, she'll feed herself. And, though she may try that now, we both know that she can't do it on her own, no matter how hard she tries.

But, in years to come, I'll still have my hand there, ready to help her when she most needs it, and ready to clean off whatever mess she gets in.

Valentine's, a little late

Happy Valentine's Day! Yes, I realize that day has already passed, but we have yet to celebrate that day in my house. Well, at least, Paul and I have yet to celebrate that day. Ansley got a few kisses of her own.

It's tough documenting all the "firsts." I don't have pictures for each month she ages. I can't remember exactly when she smiled. I can't remember what she wore on Thanksgiving. And I can't remember the first time she laughed.

But I remember what I felt.

And, maybe that's what is more important. I can't remember all the gifts that Paul has given me for Naked Cupid Baby Day, but I can't forget how I felt.

Each and every day, I feel loved. Each and every day, my heart overflows with the joy that Ansley has brought to my life. Each and every day, I smile when I picture her gummy grin, or Paul's goofy expressions.

And, that's love. It isn't the hearts or stuffed animals, or even the chocolates (::gasp!::) that my friends in high school would get on Valentine's Day. It isn't a dozen roses, or even though butterflies you feel with your first kiss. But, it's those memories.

So, today, not just on February 14, I choose to remember those feelings. I choose to smile back at Ansley, and I choose to let those butterflies take over like the first time.

Love is more than a feeling. It is a choice. And today, I choose to love.