Why I like working...

Typical Sunday night- the anticipation and dread of the work week ahead started to percolate. The feeling that I wasn't quit rested and didn't get enough prep done for the week, plus general anxiety of parting with Lola once again prevailed. So welcome week beginning…

Then, a funny thing happened. I got to work, settled in, and the day just started moving along. I had a few meetings, scheduled a few more, and I got some details/people moving to keep planning of my project moving along. I had a few laughs with Dave and others out in cubeland before lunch, and I rounded things out with a Amy's frozen dinner and a quick surf of the Nordstroms site (Anniversary Sale in progress, yesss). I watched a new video of Lola on my iPhone and I missed her, but I didn't feel sad. I bet Jenni is trying to feed her some solid food right about now, and that makes me happy.

So right now, in this moment, work makes me happy. I started the day feeling tired, a little out of control, overburdened. Once I got in the office, in the course of a few hours, I set the direction of the day and week, moved our team a little closer to making decisions, and learned a few new things (about integrated test environments,anyhoo). Today I owned something, I learned something, and I improved something. When the workday is done, I can go get Lola at 5:30 and play a little, have dinner with Kevin, and call it a day.

So for today, it is good. Working Mom is good...

Lola's 4 Month Checkup-

Lola had her 4 month checkup yesterday- she is 16.5 pounds, 24 1/2 inches in length. That translates to the 93% in weight, 48% in height! She is a healthy baby and growing like a weed! I told her she may not be the tallest girl in the class but she would be the prettiest/smartest/sweetest either way.

She also rolled over today, too! So fun watching her rock and roll back and forth on her side and then she gets her entire body rolled over the obstacle - her arm and shoulder. She is also holding toys in her hands and bringing them to her mouth. Next she will roll back the other way and start doing mini pushups. She won't be the same baby in the next two months. Can't wait, but makes me sad. She changes in a blink.

4 Months Old!

Lola was 4 months old on Friday - wow, how time flies. I woke up really early this AM, and for some reason it reminded me of the morning I went into labor and my water broke so early at 4AM. I don't know why that memory jumped into my thoughts...

It is already hard to remember our life before her, it seems so natural to have her in the mix. She is trying to roll over (any day now), can hold a toy in her hand, and is starting solid foods. Kevin swears she belly laughed yesterday, but sadly I missed it. She has become our entertainment, joy, and respite despite the burdens of work and commitments that seem to overshadow us right now.

I ended tonight like I do every night, rocking Lola before bedtime. It is by far the best part of the day. At first she squirms a little, and then she starts to surrender and settle in. And then I hear the quick little paces of her sucking on her pacifier, and my heart aches. It aches with overwhelming love for her, and excitement for how she is evolving. It aches because she will get too big too fast, I won't be able to protect her forever, and eventually she won't need me anymore. But for now, she and I know that 10 minutes each night is a magical, mesmerizing time where we just rock and love. And then I put her in her crib and say the same thing every night, "Sweet dreams Lola Grace" I wonder if she dreams yet?

July 4th and Old Friends!

Rick and Patsy came for a quick visit for July 4th and Lola! It was fun, and it was perfect timing because Lola just started baby talking and trying to roll over. We are really starting to see her develop and change, sad to see the tiny newborn slip away but excited for things to come.

We also enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, as in Patsy's friend Felice Gavin. Two years ago Patsy called and told Kevin an old friend and playmate from 2nd grade in Houston was living in Raleigh. It turns out Barbara and her husband Matt were our neighbors, literally. Wow, small world. We have enjoyed getting to know them and hanging out. But the best part was seeing Patsy and Barbara's mom Felice reconnect after all these years. They have kept in touch with the occasional email and holiday card, but these was a real chance to catch up. The best test of friendship that has been divergent because of geography, life, whatever is meeting up again and just picking up where you left off. I always say old friends are good for the soul.

So my hope for Lola is that she can learn the value of friendship and to be a great girlfriend herself. Some friendships will come and go, some will last forever. It will be one of the most valuable life lessons she will learn.

Make new friends, but keep the old...