Life is goooood!

{Above: An old photo that makes me laugh.}

Life changes with a baby. I have a newfound gratitude for some simple things, like typing with 2 hands. (A little faster than the one finger pecking the keys while baby sleeps cradled in left arm.)

Hot showers! Better than Christmas morning ~almost better than chocolate! Last night my husband held the baby while I took a long, hot shower after the big kids were in bed. The real treat was not having to peek out from behind the shower curtain to make sure the bouncy seat was still playing music. Usually a shower is interrupted by a child (insert any 1 of 4 names) barging in to use potty, tattle on sibling, or tell me Sponge bob is over or a commercial is on (Tip: nick jr has too many commercials, PBS is the only way to go - 27 minutes of entertainment~ no commercials until end). This child (offender) ALWAYS comes in when the bathroom is nice & steamy & finally warm and I am in the process of shaving my legs. Door flies open, cool hallway breezes rush in, room gets cold, goose bumps on legs. Now the debate ~ wait until bathroom warms up again, or keep shaving right over those goose bumps and brace myself for the red bumpy rash. So, when I get the opportunity to shower without interruption it is pure relaxation bliss!!! And yes, better than chocolate (except Ghirardelli).

Life is getting even better because today I was able to grocery shop by myself! My mom lives 4 blocks from a Wal-Mart so I nursed the baby, left her with my mom (BEST babysitter/Granny ever!!!!) ran to the store, returned with everything on my list (except the applesauce, shhhh don't tell my 4 yr. old. But I did bring home the ham and bananas which were his top 2 requests. He made me write a list of those 2 items and he has walked around the past 3 days saying H-A-M, ham buy ham and bananas, he spelled both words.) AND I returned to a happy baby and a happy 4 year old.

In November, our family had to talk in church on the topic of gratitude. I mentioned that after 4 winters in Northern North Dakota, I developed an appreciation for winter in my current state. As a child I hated winter here, but after ND, my perspective changed. I may have to eat my "grateful" words after this winter of 2 ice storms and another on the way tomorrow. I'm praying that the electricity stays on this time, after my 2-shopping cart, freezer restocking binge. I guess, now I'll be kissing the ground when spring comes. OK, I really am happy, so please disregard all the sarcasm. To recap, GOOD: 1) Two-hand typing 2) uninterrupted showers 3) Shopping alone 4)husband 5) Granny 6) Chocolate. Happy days! P.S. I never know where to put commas, so I put them everywhere. I hope this makes sense.