Work and new hobbies

Well--I have officially returned to work. It hasn't been too difficult especially knowing that my friend Dana is keeping Lydia as well as Daddy Brett :) In addition--working part time has been a wonderful blessing!

Little one turned 2 months yesterday! We took our 2 month pictures out on the porch and I'm just in LOVE! I love how they came out. She is soooo cute--and her little personality is blossoming. In fact, right now she is sleeping--and I just want to go wake her up to visit with her (I've been working all day).

On the personal end--I've had some time for crafting. I always have to get in a little creative time! So--I've picked up another hobby (not that I needed ANOTHER one). I hate spending money on cards when most don't really say much--so I decided to make my own. I love being creative, and I believe it's like a little gift when you give them.

SOAP!

Well--I pulled out the soap pot again! I'm excited to get in the groove again now that I'm finally figuring out how to fit the soapmaking into the "schedule." Of course--we all know who rules the schedule.

What scents I have curing:

1. Lavender/Patchouli
2. Orange/Peppermint (wonderful!)
3. Ginger Lime -- nice clean scent
4. "moonlit morning" -- a fruity, floral scent--sweet
5. Tonic -- clean Clarin's scent

Can't wait until they are ready to use!

Routines

We are working on establishing routines in our household. Anyone who knows us, knows that Brett and I come and go as we wish -- at least we did. Life is definitely different--and we will probably be more disciplined, orderly (in its own way), and less erratic-- (Hey--we like spontenaity). Considering the fact that I am actually keeping up with this blog--shows some of the consistency that has entered my life :)

Well--the first "routine" needed is the bedtime routine. We are finally getting there--and little one has gone to bed by 9 pm two nights in a row. phew! Those 11:30 pm nights were getting a little old! I'm returning to work this week--so routines are definitely in order. No pun intended.

We start the routine with a bath--which little one LOVES! Then we settle down for meal time and story time. We've been reading the two above books. We especially like On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman. The first time Brett read it to her--he even teared up. It's a very sweet book and would make an excellent baby gift.Then--as the eyes get heavy--to bed we go. She has moved out of the bassinet and into her "big girl" crib. I bought this fan at Wal-Mart for $9. The BEST $9 I've spent in a long time. So far so good on the earlier nights. (Except for the unfortunate 5 am waking time now that she goes to bed earlier!)

But--I actually took advantage of the early morning to begin my postnatal workout video. This week I lost another pound--so 31 down and 12 more to go! I have never had to work to take off weight--so this is definitely a new challenge for me. Cookies, cake, sweets, chocolate, etc. call my name loudly--and I'm not very good at ignorning them!

GOOD Friday

Well--we made a trip to Ville Platte today. It was the first time my father saw Lydia and my mother hadn't seen her since she was born. The day went well--although we were an hour late getting out of the house and we (that would be my handsome husband) missed two exits on the way there-- further prolonging our delay. But--we made it intact without any tears from the back seat. Phew!

The day was made complete after a long nap! I found this picture in my camera that my sister must have taken during my siesta. I crashed right after lunch along with Lydia--could it have been the wonderful from-scratch Italian cream cake that my mother made? Or was it just the 5 hours of sleep and 3 hours of morning activity PRIOR to leaving this morning? Maybe both.....

On the way home, Brett and I remembered why we celebrate "Good" Friday. Thank you Jesus--for going to the cross--for me!

SPRINGing up!

I love, Love, LOVE this time of the year! After the little one awoke from a nap--I decided to take advantage of her good mood and get out in the yard. I love that the azaleas are blooming and the brown and yellow grasses are being overtaken by green! (although a lot of the green--is weeds!)

Lydia enjoyed being outdoors in the bouncy seat--and Mama was happy to do a little pruning!