Something is better than nothing

Since becoming a mom "something is better than nothing" has become my mantra. And like a mantra it has an oddly soothing effect on me.

Now, I am what you call a type-A gal. I've been known to be obsessive, high strung, even... anal. I am a creature of habit. I like my routine, I like to do certain things by the book, and I like my house and my stuff to be "just so." Well guess what? People like myself do not fair well once a baby enters the picture. I was obsessed with doing everything the way I thought it should be done to the point of driving myself insane. I used to be a list-maker. You know the type. I would add already completed tasks to a list just so I could cross them off. After I had Sophie I stopped making lists because seeing only 1 or 2 things crossed off a long list at the end of the day would just depress me.

And then I found my mantra. I began to tell myself several times a day that something is better than nothing. For example, if Sophie wakes up from her nap early, causing me to only be able to go on the treadmill for 20 minutes instead of 35, that's okay. Because some time on the treadmill is better than none. And (warning- not for the squeamish or awkward) if I am only able to pump 2 ounces one night instead of 5 because I was stressed and hadn't remembered to drink all 8 cups of water that day, that is just fine. Because pumping some milk is better than pumping none. If I was away for a three day yom tov and got on the weight watchers scale and only lost .4 pounds instead of the previous week's 2 pounds, that was nothing to get upset about. Because losing some weight is always better than losing none (or gaining some back!). You get the idea.

So, now I have decided to share my mantra with all of you. I really think my mantra could be used in almost any situation, for anyone. It has really helped me to let go of my irrational belief that I have to be a super woman and get it all done the right way always. And if I help just one person by sharing this thought, then that is just awesome. Because helping one person is better than helping none!

Fall is here!

Even though it is still 80 degrees out, somehow the leaves know to change colors and fall from the trees. Somehow my nose knows to be stuffed up. And somehow we have still managed to have lots of Fall fun!

Last Sunday was our shul's BBQ and Sophie had a blast picnicing and swinging!

Sophie enjoyed eating and playing in the sukkah.

We went to Weber's Pumpkin Farm with the Diamonds a couple of weeks ago and had a great time!

Happy Fall, Everyone!!!

Inside, Outside, Upside Down

And of course in a box, in some socks, with a fox, eating lox, etc. etc. Statistics, chemistry, and even some Jewish history went out the window a long time ago, but Dr. Seuss will stick with me forever.

Sophie is now 9 months old, which means she has been outside of me as long as she was inside. She is SOOO BIG. You would never believe she used to be 6 pounds and have toothpick legs. She is finally moving, although her method of transportation is scooting backwards. On her tummy, not on her knees. And whenever she feels like it, which is once or twice a day. But hey, you gotta start somewhere. She has 3 teeth (2 front bottoms and 1 front top) and many more are on their way. She loves playing with other kids and has had several recent play dates (pictures and more details in upcoming posts).

And as for my every three months theory: The most notable strides since 6 months have been the scooting and the nicety and convenience of the fact that she eats real food (i.e., a nice serving of cholent, a piece of challah, and 1.5 pieces of sweet potato pie at a recent shabbat lunch out). These aren't as big accomplishments as the ones that accompanied 3 and 6 months (see previous entries for details), but the point is that Sophie is growing and changing way too fast!

On an administrative note, I feel like I am bursting with things to blog about. Every day I make a mental note to put to pen (keyboard) things I observe and ponder. But the day just isn't long enough. And Shimmy steals the lap top when he comes home from work. However, I have decided to write as many entries as I can, each with its own separate topic ASAP. Over the next couple of days, be prepared for a blog overload!

Sophie says...

Shana Tova!

(a little late)

Sophie is now 8 months old! She is verrrrrrry close to crawling, talks all day long (hi, mamamama, dadadada, bababababa mostly), and is just so happy and cute! She had a doctor's appointment last week and was 27 3/4 inches long (75%) and 17 lbs., 6 oz. (48%) Grow, baby, grow! These are her most recent professional photographs, taken a few weeks ago.

Nursing Twister

This is what we play a few times a day:

Right foot, left armpit

Left foot, mouth

Right hand, eye

Left hand, nose

Tushy, all over the place

My Turn

When I started this blog I kind of thought it would be more about me and being a mom. Kind of a venting place for the stress of having my life turned completely upside down by a little six pound rascal. Somehow it turned into Sophie's blog instead. Maybe because she's cuter. In any case, I'd like a turn to update you all on me. So here's what's changed with me over the last 7.5 months:
- I now change my shirt about three times a day- gotta love pea scented spit up.
- I can do almost anything with one hand, including wash my hands (one at a time).
- I have awesome biceps (I don't even lift for those- just work out the triceps! Thanks, baby girl!)
- I can turn any song into a lullaby. Tonight, in fact, I softly sang, "Baby, don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more." Complete with the Night at the Roxbury head bop. You know you're doing it too right now.
- I have had several infections, spent close to three months somewhat depressed, and now I endure biting on a regular basis, but I am still nursing and going strong (and loving it).
-Most notably, I have lost every pound of my pregnancy weight (thanks to Weight Watchers and Sophie napping so I can work out almost every day) and I am now working on the stuff I wasn't happy with before I got pregnant. Note the timeline of fat:


Eight (yes, only eight) months pregnant at Chanukah last year. You don't notice the fat face, arms, butt, etc., when there is a huge belly diverting the attention away from the rest of the body.
At my six-week post-partem doctor's appointment. I cried when I saw this picture for the first time.
And last week on vacation. I now finally fit into all of my old clothes! A couple of weeks ago I put on a skirt I had bought post baby, zipped it up, and it fell off! I then put on an old skirt out of curiosity which fit perfectly. It was a size *6*. A SIX!!! Yahooooooo! I'm back, baby!
So that's me, in a nutshell. I'm sure I have left out a million things that I wanted to include in this post, but now that I have acquired "mommy brain" that is to be expected.

Sophie's First Trip to the Beach!

This past week we went to Rehoboth Beach, DE for some much needed fun in the sun! Sophie had a blast standing in the ocean, eating the sand, and napping in her baby cabana. We went shopping, played putt-putt, hung out on the board walk, and of course spent lots of time on the beach! Here are a few pics: