8 months

So, as you might be able to tell from previous posts, I'm totally besotted with Aggie.  She's just awesome.

We survived her first ear infection, which wasn't too bad, probably 'cause it was just a minor one.  She and I spent several days on the couch, just laying there.  It was kind of nice, in a way, because she just wanted to be held.  Minus the fever and crankiness, it was a great week.

She's got two teeth coming in on top, which explains last weekend's fussiness, which unfortunately coincided with me getting a cold.  Poor Papa - two sick, unhappy girls at once.  Don't feel too bad for him, though - he was handsomely rewarded with a new BBQ/smoker.

I started back to work this week and was surprised to find how much I missed Aggie.  I miss being able to enjoy the mornings before Papa whisked her off to daycare and being able to pick her up early and go to the park.  Last night I got home and she was already in bed - I hate that.  My chest hurts when I don't get to hold her.  It is nice to watch her sleep, though, esp. when it's not the middle of the night and I have time, not trying to rush back to sleep.

Dancing!  I almost forgot the dancing!  She likes to spontaneously dance to music in her head or music playing.  It's more jerky spasming and the waving of hands, but it's so cute and she gets the biggest grin on her face.

We (ok, just me really) are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of warm temperatures so we can make our first trip to the pool!  We have the swimsuit and summer membership fee (thanks to my mom), sun hat and sunscreen - all we need is for it to warm-up!  And we (ok, just me again) need it to warm up so Aggie can wear the adorable anchor print shorts I bought her - too much longer and she'll have outgrown them without actually wearing them.  Hop to it, summer!

No crawling yet.  We keep hearing that at daycare she's crawling a little.  Part of me is a little jealous of this - I want to see her crawl too!  The other, bigger part of me is content with her being immobile for now.  I can tell that's a whole can of worms that Papa and I are not ready for (Bella and Hugo either).

Speaking of Hugo, he has become and indoor/outdoor cat.  He kept trying to sneak outside, so we got him a collar, which freaked him the heck out.  Once he got used to it, we let him out.  That was so hard for me.  I kept envisioning him running away and never coming back or being hit by a car or being eaten by a cougar (not as far fetched a scenario as you might think) or taking up with a rough crowd.  But I also saw him discovering the millions of bugs outdoors (he LOVES bugs) and making friends and being happier.  So, I let him go, along with a little bit of my heart.  And, you know what?  He hasn't left the deck.  He's taking it nice and slow and is enormously happy for his expanded horizons.  And that's what parenting is all about, isn't it?  You let them go with a piece of your heart, trusting they'll do what's best for them and that they'll come back and tell you about their adventures and love you for it.  Too bad it can hurt so much and cause so much worry.  Joy and pain - the two sides of the parenting coin.

Pic of the month (thanks, Victoria!):

Gifts

Every smile, every laugh, every kiss is a gift.  It sounds cheesy and trite and something you'd read on a greeting card. But it's true.  And I'm so proud of myself for continuing to feel it, every single time.

A Letter to My 20-something Self

Blogger Cassie Boorn is collecting letters from older women to their 20-something selves to help other 20-somethings navigate their 20s, which can be an awkward, intense time (they were for me).  To read more about it and post your letter, visit HERE.

Here's my letter:

Dear 20-something Cora –

Shoulda, woulda, coulda – none of these words are helpful. As much as you can, banish them from your vocabulary.

You are an amazing soul and things will get better. Just keep saying that to yourself and when you see an opportunity to make things better, take it, regardless of how big or how small, for yourself or for others.

Stick with the therapy, if not the medication – you’ll eventually get the right diagnosis and things will be better.

These are not the best times of your life – you have many more best times coming. Collect the best times and know you’ll have more to add to your collection.

Give into your lazy side more often – it serves a purpose, a very important one. You’ll find out what that purpose is when you start being proactively lazy.

Life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, so don’t worry if you haven’t done things that are important to you – there’s still time.

Trust your gut. You know yourself better than anyone and do what is right for you, as kindly as possible. You’ll disappoint others, but give them a hug, tell them you love them, and get on to doing what you need to do for yourself.

Go exercise – you always feel better after doing it. Always, despite the lies you tell yourself. This is the one time not to indulge in laziness.

Now, go look in the mirror and give yourself that look that you think is cute and revel in the feeling.

And believe in yourself. You are enormously capable, smart and personable. Believe in yourself and others will to.

I love you.

30-something Cora

Cello for sale - $300 OBO

Cello for sale - $300 or best offer

Full size
Klause Mueller Prelude
Made in Korea
Model No. 205F
Serial No. 6300
2002
Neck is repaired but not in danger of breaking again
Great condition

Free with purchase - hard case, 2 bows, extra strings, stopper and sheet music

Depending on location and offer, delivery is possible.




Yup, I'm giving up on it.  I've wanted to for a while.  I did enjoy learning to play it, when I worked at the music school and got free lessons.  But, since then, five years ago, I've lacked the desire and discipline to practice.  It's time for this beautiful instrument to have an owner that will play it regularly and release it's wonderful musical soul - yeah, I'm a little sad about selling it, can you tell?