Update...

All is well here now. We have no more runny noses, appetite is back in full force, no more cuddles and I'm not getting much done anymore except clean up Zara's messes and trying to just keep up with her. Back to normal.

These days I'm hoping that Zara will start walking soon. Everyone I tell this to thinks I'm absolutly crazy, they say that she'll be getting into everything once she starts walking but let me tell you that I'm pretty sure there isn't a whole lot more she can do. This week I've been cleaning scattered tupperware up, trying to re-roll the tinfoil, putting ziplock bags back in the box, picking up rolls of toilet paper that get thrown out of the cupboard, refolding clean cloths that get taken out of drawers, putting all the books back on the bookshelf, chasing the little one up and down the stairs and I'm sure the list goes on. Now if she could walk I'm thinking that all this could get done with tights that won't get black knees, skirts and dresses that won't get ruined hems and turned black and the poor girl's knees will no longer be red and skinned looking. But no matter how hard we try, she still crawls on with black knees and all and with no plans to take that first step on her own it seems and so we wait.

Oh and this week Wade will turn 28 and the day after Reid will turn 30. Which means they are getting pretty close to being half way done their working careers, which is something to celebrate if nothing else. We look forward to cake.

Sick Days...

Yesterday Zara got sick. I had to wake her up at 10:30 yesterday morning so that was my first clue she wasn't feeling well. Then she cuddled with me for 10 whole minutes so I definatly knew something was wrong. Today shes all congested and has a bad cough. This is gonna sound kinda bad but I actually am enjoying her being sick. Here are the reasons...
- she is cuddly
- she sleeps lots and I can get more done around the house
- I have an excuse as to why I shouldn't leave the house
- she sits still when I'm holding her
- shes cuddly (this is the best reason, it deserves to be said twice)
For her sake though I hope she gets feeling better.

We're having Zara's birthday party tomorrow and I'm so excited. Birthdays are a HUGE thing for me. I can remember all my extented families birthdays and I even remember old friends from elementary school birthdays. To me it's part of someones identity, I know what color of hair they have, their eye color and their birthday.

As we were growing up, our birthdays were the day that we could have breakfast in bed if we wanted it, we didn't have to clean or do dishes, Mom made our favorite meal and it was just made to be a special day and thats spoiled me for life. I still look forward to my birthday even though it means I'm getting older and I still use it as a special day and try not to do anything.

As for Zara's birthday I know that she'll never remember it but I want her to be able to look back at pictures and see that her first birthday was special just like all her birthdays will hopefully be.

P.S. Happy Birthday Alesha...

The little things that make you appreciate what you have...

Once a week Zara and I go to a baby and me water workout, which is more of a good excuse for moms to get together and casually jog around the pool. One mom there has such a positive attitude and outlook that everyone just seems to be drawn to her. I think she gets around to talking to everyone there and she just adores her little 7 month old boy, whos very charming with his flaming red hair.

Through our various chats I've found out that their firstborn had a rare condition and wasn't supposed to live much after birth but they got to enjoy him for close to a month and she's just so happy for the time they had with him. Last week I also found out that her husband passed away when she was 7 months pregnant with their little boy. He's been gone for 9 months now and she is doing amazing.

I think about her so much in a day. When I hear a song that reminds me of Garrett, I wonder how many songs she hears that remind her of her husband. When I'm shopping and I think I should buy something for Garrett, I wonder if she wishes she could buy something for her husband. When I find something like a sock of Garretts stuck between the washer and dryer or a old lost screwdriver I wonder if she finds things that remind her of her husband.

As I think of these things I can't believe how much I take what I have for granted. I have a perfectly healthy baby and a husband who is here everynight as I fall asleep and I still complain. I am going to learn from her experience and not complain about how grumpy Zara may be or how her teething is driving me up the wall, and even though Garrett is on a course 2 nights a week for the next month and a bit , I'm going to be grateful that he's still here every other night of the week.

Amazing the horrible things other people go through that make me appreciate what I have.