Writer's Block

I have not been feeling very creative when it comes to blogging lately - I am going through a bit of a phase where I am sick of constant communication & access to people, places & things via the Internet. I know, I know - it's 2009 & that's the way things are done these days, but I have been trying to slow down my pace of life a little & make more time for what is important for my health & sanity - like working out, learning the guitar & spending some time outdoors with Wyatt & family, showering daily, etc, etc... plus, I have been using my creative juices lately with things for Lily & Wyatt, and with planning out some summer fun for hubby, toddler & myself. So, my apologies if I am not on here often - I will try to drum up a witty & inspiring post sometime in the near future (and a better attitude :) ). For now, here are some recent photos of family fun!

Who Doesn't Love Winning!?

I say that like I win things all the time - not the case!! But, I am hoping to win this cool thing for Wyatt - my friend Abby is giving one away over at her blog, so stop by to check it out & enter!

Daddy Goes

I would like you to meet the newest member of our family - "Daddy." Don't worry, he has not replaced Seth - who is referred to as "Real Daddy" - this is "play" Daddy. He was sort of an impulse purchase the other day while making a larger purchase at Toys R' Us - Wyatt's cousin has this man for her dollhouse, and it is a favorite each & every time we are there playing. When I tell you that we have not put Daddy down since the moment we purchased him, I am not kidding. Daddy has been on all sorts of adventures through town - he had a cone at TCBY yesterday, bologna for lunch, helped us put together a few backyard toys yesterday... even a trip to Sarah's science fair this evening, complete with a visit to Birdman Dave.

So, next time you see us out & about don't be surprised if Daddy is with us, because as Wyatt says "Daddy goes!"

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I was reluctant to post this when I first returned from our recent trip to the Roanoke River. It was a very cold, and very wet weekend & one which I wanted to soon forget. It was only when I had a few days to warm back up (and be thankful that it only rained on us, instead of snowing) that I realized just how much fun we did have. Something about being in the Great Outdoors always brings out in the best in my relationship with Seth - no matter how cold, how wet or how downright miserable things get, we always seem to have a lot of laughs & make plenty of memories. Now, that's not to say I'll be rushing back to the Roanoke for another 22 mile canoe trip (my arms are still sore from paddling in a headwind in pelting rain), but maybe one of these days we'll get back out there in the canoe...

http://tiny.cc/OzuBd

"A picture is worth a thousand words..."

I had to create this post this morning when I found out that a near & dear friend had finally launched her business - J.B. Haygood Photography www.jbhaygoodphotography.com

If you ever need photography done, for any reason, she's your gal. Extremely professional, great with children & and a true artist behind the lens. My husband & I had some photos taken a while back with Wyatt & I swear it was the first time we've been able to capture some true smiles on camera!

Congrats Jen - I wish you the best & know it will be a huge success!

How Do You Keep Up?

I ask myself this question as a Mom all the time - how can you possibly keep up with all the information out there in regards to motherhood, babies, products, classes, education, playgroups, social skills, language development, healthy eating - the list is never ending & overwhelming. My husband often rolls his eyes at me when I mention something from one of these categories - "People have been having kids for years & years & they figure it out - we will too"

Recently though, I have felt the pressure of motherhood in all things "safe" for my child. Like anyone with a kid, it seems you are always being bombarded with wanted and, more often, unwanted advice. Are we victims of the Internet & the access we have to endless amounts of information? I often think so... Don't get me wrong - it's great to have access to so much, but like anything, I believe moderation is key. For example - Google "sunscreen chemicals" & boy will you get a new education. Again, I appreciate that this information is available, but it all contributes to what I believe makes it harder to be a "good" mom these days. What bottles are you using? Are they made of plastic? What sippy cups? How are you washing them? You are using WHAT on your kid's skin? Non-organic wipes? Your kid eats sugar? Hydrogenated WHAT? Sunscreen is now dangerous? AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I understand that we are lucky to have more research being done these days to discover causes of cancer, other diseases & disabilities, but damn if it isn't hard to keep up with everything. And when is it all truly too much? When is it fact and when is it "sort of" fact? Is some info more important than others? And my biggest question is, if these products are better & safer, then why do they cost so much damn money? (That is my same "beef" with healthy food, but I will save that for another rant) How do you "keep up" in this economy?

How do you keep up? Are you practicing the same things for yourself, or just your child? I'd love to hear & get some tips!

Snow Angel