I am 100% exhausted today. Had a long day with Tyler. He didn’t take an afternoon nap and I was getting pretty frustrated with him. Then he and I took a long evening walk to deliver fliers for National Night Out. We kept running into neighbors and chatting and he just chilled the whole time. Then we got home and he played with his daddy for a little while. He decided he wanted some milk, so I nursed him on the couch. He pulled off, looked at me and started cracking up. He kept doing it for the longest time - we were just playing and laughing. It totally made my evening!! He doesn’t do full belly laughs often..so they are a treat! It is so funny how he can just melt me.

He is getting so big and his awareness has grown. While in the car seat, stroller or being held he will whip that head around to follow something that has caught his eye. If a toy goes overboard from his high chair, he will totally lean over and see where it went. When we play peek-a-boo, he will lean over the bed to look for me. Too cute!

He is really loving the car now and does so well in it. I hope that continues, because we are planning a trip to Cloudcroft, New Mexico in October. I can’t wait!! We have this fabulous cabin and are going to take the whole week to relax in the mountains! Woo-hoo!

Well, I really want to get to bed, so I am going to go. Just want to try to get back into some daily blogging. This is where I document what is up with Tyler for you and for me and I don’t want to miss anything!

The danger in not blogging for a while is that the amount of things you want to share crops up and before you know it, you don’t have the time to write an entry that long. I haven’t had time in the mornings or in the evenings lately to blog, but want to get back to it. This is how I know what was going on with my baby, cuz lord knows I won’t remember 2 months down the road.

Tyler has his second tooth coming in. Everyone says this is a great age (8.5 months) and they are so right. He is just so happy these days! He isn’t crawling yet (counting my blessings on that one), but loves to sit and play with his blocks and toys. He is starting to throw things more and will now watch to see where they went. It is so funny to watch something go overboard from his high chair and then he leans way over to find it. He gets so excited when his Daddy comes home, which I know his Daddy loves.

I have been in the best mood ever since we got back from California and I can’t exactly peg why. California wasn’t necessarily relaxing, but we had a good time. Could it be because Chris and I had a good bit of time along together? Is it because Tyler is at this age which is “easier”? Is it because I am working out and going to the gym now? Dunno - at any rate, I am sure Chris is happy that I am much less crochity these days.

Well, I need to get to work, but am going to start entering regularly - I have to get everyone caught up. Need to make a quick list so I don’t forget: 1.) California 2.) Belly Laughs 3.) Looking all around 4.)Add some pics 5.)Purple Mouth 6.)Cat in town for a visit 7.) The different worlds of baby by day and baby at night

Sorry, folks - Chris and I were in Caligornia for a long weekend and things have been nuts since we returned. Tyler finally went to bed at 11pm last night if that gives you any idea.

Hope all is well!

Tyler was an angel boy today. He only took a 1 hour nap this afternoon, so I was waiting for a meltdown. TO complicate matters, we were at a friend’s for dinner. He did well though - got fussy, nursed and then played some more. We got home, had a bath and in 10 minutes he was off to sleep. I think he knew that I needed that more than him taking a 2 hour nap. I am really going to miss him when we are gone. I hope he doesn’t miss us too much.

Going to get a few things done, and then have my butt in bed no later than 10:15pm. I am over my breakdown and feel better. Just had to get through the day I guess.

I definitely feel like I live in the moment with Tyler. I was over at a friend’s who has a 3 month-old. I seriously can’t remember what Tyler was like at 3 months. I pretty much just remember him right now and yesterday. I can’t even remember what was going on at 6 months - I will have to check my blogs. Maybe because I see him every day I don’t notice all the subtle changes. Kind of a wierd phenomenon. My other friend says the same thing about her baby….

Alrighty - at home now. Charles is going to help me get my car - he is such a saint. Called my Mom and listening to some Beastie Boys on the way home (espeically “Sabotage”). Feel a little bit better. SO happy to have Thurs. off…

I think Chuck is here…. bye.

Ya know…I am just tired and stressed..I know this. But I just want to cry. Ticked off because a co-worker seems reluctant to help me go get my car which we took in the shop yesterday…

So much easier to pick it up without the baby in tow - especially because he needs to be in a car seat and none of the people that I would ask to help me has one of those. So now I am in a lurch… and I would like the Subaru back because it is much easier to haul Tyler around in then climbing in the back of the Mustang…

This is what I mean about supporting Moms… sometimes when you are at a breaking point, you just want someone to extend a hand and help… It is the little things like that, that make things seem not so impossible…that give you some hope..

I am lucky enough to have the job I do… Some days most recently, I don’t even have time to put makeup on because my son is awake in the mornings fussy and has no patience for it. In most jobs I couldn’t show up looking the way I do…quite dishoveled…

{Sigh} I will make it through the day - I will figure this out. I am resourceful - just need to breathe and think about it. Anyway, sorry to vent….just having a rough day and needed someone to talk to….

It is only Tuesday and I am warn out. I went to bed too late last night - didn’t mean to, it just happened that way. I am tired today and don’t have the energy to put up with much crap. I feel stressed. Going to take Thursday off to get ready for our trip because I won’t make it otherwise.

The more I think about it, the more I am certain that I want to go work for a non-profit that works with moms and kids in the future. I want to help moms obtain support (in whatever form they need) for the job they do of raising their kids. Sometimes just a few hours off can make a world of difference. There are a lot of Moms who are on the job 24/7 and don’t get the luxury of a break. I would love to build a community that they feel they can turn to when they need it.

Got to get to work, especially if i am going to take Thursday off…..