So here we are in the dead of winter. January is my least favorite month. I think I come off such a high from the holidays to the blah of January. Nothing really happens in January. I still find myself busy as normal, but just don't really care for this time of year. Maybe it's because the days are so short, dark and rainy. I have to confess that I haven't run regularly in about a month. Sure I have gone out for a few, but not like my usual 5 days a week I was doing. I have instead retreated to the comfort of my living room and Jillian's New 6 week 6 pack, which I must say I do like. On the days that are terrible I try to get out for at least a walk with Reese. I have enjoyed taking her to the park and she has gotten to experience the swing! She loves it and smiles and giggles as it goes back and forth. It seems like our time is always cut short by the looming dark clouds in the distance. I was thinking today how being a stay at home mom is probably one of the hardest jobs in the winter, and one of the easiest in the summer. Not to say it is truly more difficult at any one time, but it is definitely fabulous to get to enjoy the warmth and the sun. I am really looking forward to the return of those days, and have just decided to hibernate a bit until then.
Reese is growing more everyday. She has started to free-stand on occasion. Most the time it is when she doesn't realize that she is holding onto a toy and no longer holding onto the piece of furniture in front of her. I will stand her up and let her arms go. She smiles and giggles balancing for a bit, until she reaches out for me. I know it won't be long before she figures out how stable she really is and starts doing this a lot. She is also starting to mimic words a lot and even uses them correctly at times. She uses mama and dada pretty regularly and in the appropriate place. She says doggie on occasion at the dogs, or a picture of the dogs. Then she will repeat a word here or there. Today I asked her if she wanted a cracker and she decided that was her new favorite word and repeated it all day. It is so fun to watch her vocabulary form. It is still very sporadic right now, but I can't wait until she is chatting our ears off. She already babbles our ears off and we just pretend to understand! She definitely takes after her daddy in that regard!
Chris has been working his butt off and I am so proud of him. Of course we were so nervous when I quit my job to stay home with Reese, but he has worked so hard it has made the transition fairly easy so far! I am very lucky to have such a dedicated husband!
I have continued to stay at home with Reese and am still doing some contract work on the side. I actually really enjoy it. I can't say I do it a lot, but the couple hours a day I put into it are nice. It is nice to occasionally get my brain off "kid stuff" and do something different. Not to say I don't enjoy the kid stuff, but a change of pace during the day is nice.
We look forward to going to Lake Chelan this weekend to check out my parents new property they recently purchased. Hopefully we will have a family cabin in the next few years that we can all enjoy! It will be a great way to kiss January goodbye; sipping my favorite Syrah from Tsillan cellars! Peace out January, can't say I will miss ya. Bring on February and another step closer to the sun!
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| Reese loves the swing! |
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| On her way to the dog bowls! I have to play defense on that all day! |
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| She loves to lick the slider! |
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| Standing by herself long enough for me to get the camera and take a picture! |
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| Chris and I at our good friend Colt's birthday bash! |
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| Our favorite winery Tsillan Cellars. A little sad it won't look like this over the weekend, but the wine will make it all better! |
