Priorities

Nobody is too busy, it's just a matter of priorities. 

A friend posted this on Instagram and it got me thinking...

What a true statement. I often say that there aren't enough hours in the day, and honestly, there aren't but if I need to find time, I will. Many new moms say they can't find time to brush their teeth. Really?! Brushing your teeth only takes two minutes (and how many people actually spend a full two minutes?). If you can't find a few moments in the day to brush your teeth, it's simply because it's not a priortiy.

I am guilty of not being able to "find the time" to do things, brushing my teeth is not one of them but blogging is. I am lucky enough to have 2 days off of work, Tuesday and Friday. Those days are devoted to appointments, laundry, cleaning and most importantly, Lily. For the better part of the past year I have struggled with this balance. If I don't do my "chores" on these days then I go to bed feeling like I didn't accomplish anything. If I manage to do everything I set out to then I lay my head on the pillow and think about the time I didn't spend with my girl. Therefore, blogging has taken a backseat. I often think about what I would say if I were to take the time and it is always the same subject, Lily!

Last year, I spent my first long weekend away from Lily with my best friends, many of them mothers. I asked one if she had a hard time leaving her girls, I am paraphrasing, but she answered, "I pretend like I don't, but I do." That is another statement that hit home with me, that was exactly how I feel! I want to spend time doing things for myself, I know it's important for both of us but there is a bigger part if me that wants to do everything together. With that being said, I am going to admit that I am totally, completely obsessed with Lily.

*To show where my priorities are, this portion of the post was drafted 9 weeks ago. The following few paragraphs, about 4 weeks ago...

She is hilarious! When she gets excited, her feet move up and down so fast, she shakes her head back and forth and squeals! She loves to be a "Naked Nelly" after bath time. There's nothing cuter than watching her little tush run around the house.

She loves music! She dances, twirls in circles and "sings". When she hears, "If you're happy....", she ecstatically claps her hands and grins from ear to ear. Itsy Bitsy Spider used to be her favorite but now it's Ring Around the Rosie. I love to see her put her little fingers together and attempt to say itsy bitsy and after 'ringing around' you better be prepared to fall down. She might be tiny but her little hands can pull a grown man to the ground!

Probably our favorite thing is asking for hugs and kisses....and getting them! It's even better when she leans in, unprompted, and plants a big slobbery "muah" right on your lips! She hugs tightly and pats your back, the way I have always done to her.

A few weeks ago, Pat pointed out that we spent most of our day watching Lily. It's an easy thing to do, she's so entertaining! She has finally started saying things on demand. I have been pushing 'more' for months and now that she has it down, she uses it for everything. I have to admit, it's better than whining but now it's time to start working on 'please'! When I tell her "no, no", she repeats, "no, no, no, no" complete with the head shake. How can I be upset after that?!

I am also learning that it is tough to discipline! I am lucky that I don't have to struggle with this too much because Lily is a good girl but being consistent is exhausting. I have been known to be a little stubborn which helps, if I say 'no' once then I am sticking with it! I learned months ago that a pop on the hand wasn't going to work for Lily. One day when she started throwing her lunch on the floor, I popped her hand. The next day I watched as she threw her food on the floor, told herself "no" and hit her own hand!!!

Now that I have completed the post I started so long ago I will bring you up to date on a few other exciting things we have done. Mid-March we took a mini vacation to Orlando. Rob had a conference so we decided to tag along and keep Shelly company. There is no denying Lily's love of the water, she is a water baby for sure! Here are a few highlights from our trip.

Then there was Easter...

I used to think I preferred the baby stage; the sweet snuggles and innocent coos but the last few months have changed that. Her bubbly personality and goofy antics have me hooked!