10 Things : Capturing Me Right Now
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1. I am wanting to re-organize everything. And I mean everything...no drawer is safe. It's usually when I am at my busiest that I want to get rid of any excess that has been collected (and I have no time to do it). The result is little messes all around where I have started going through stuff and then had to get back to work in my office before finishing the task. Not a good cycle.
2. I am tired. I have a seven-month old and, no, she does not sleep through the night. But as you can see above it has not stopped me from testing out the Wii that Chris brought home this past weekend. Simon is a bowling champ already.
3. Simon has been amazing us every day in all sorts of ways. He seems to have had a language explosion again recently. Actually it's more of a sentence explosion - he is expressing himself in longer sentences and more complete thoughts (that make more sense and are more relevant). It's really, really cool. Chris and I do a lot of glancing at each other and smiling while we listen to his daily recaps, questions and statements about his life. Yesterday as we headed out on some errands he stated, "Mom every time we walk out the door it's an adventure."
4. I haven't read any really good books since Anna was born. I haven't really felt much like reading - every little bit of sleep is like gold. This past weekend I was wishing I had something to read to balance everything out: work, family, baby, this & that. I am thinking of jumping on the bandwagon and checking out Oprah's new book club selection which is a collection of short-stories: Say You're One of Them
5. I am constantly in awe of the fullness of life.
6. I caught a little bit of one of my favorite radio shows last night (I usually listen to it as a podcast on iTunes) called Speaking Of Faith. This week was a replay of a 2008 interview with Irish poet & philosopher John O'Donohue called The Inner Landscape of Beauty. What I heard was really inspiring and I'm hoping to listen to the full version while I work today.
7. I am feeling really thankful that I am getting the chance to revisit babyhood again with Anna. In the same instant I am often aware that I am a completely different person and the same scared first time mom I was with Simon as an infant. I can feel totally capable, calm and confident one moment and then slip into insecurity about my abilities in the next. Overall I am much more relaxed and go with the flow and trying really hard not to wish any of these stages away.
8. My to-do list is longer than there are hours available.
9. I was surfing around recently and came across this project by Laura Kurz: 365 days to 30. It's a blog where she documented 365 people (over 365 days) who were along for the ride of her life leading up to her 30th birthday. It's magic and fabulous life documentation.
10. This morning I played chase with Simon as he waited for the bus. We talked about the red leaves on our grass and made some "observations" about where they had come from (the neighbor's tree across the street). I got to give him a big hug and a little kiss as he got on the bus. I love you buddy - hope you have a great day filled with fun adventures at school.
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71 comments
We have to get Simon and Tucker together and have an Edwards vs. Coon Wii bowl off!!
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Ali- I loved reading your post today! :) I also love how honestly you put yourself out there. I became a 2nd time mom 2 years ago and I have been in the same boat as you! :) I feel normal...thanks! :)
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Oh, I love Speaking of Faith as well. NPR has some absolutely wonderful radio shows, don't they? I can completely relate to the 2nd time mom feelings, I went through them with our now 2 year old who is four years younger than her brother. It gets better, trust me!
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I love this...especially the Wii photo. And I'll have to check out that interview...I love John O'Donohue's work. Thanks for the honest, fun, real glimpse of where you are right now.
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Beautiful post - the little things in life are what is important.
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I can so relate to being a second time mom, the not-enough-hours-in-the-day syndrome and being so tired! (My 15 month old does sleep through the night now, but it didn't happen until about 1 year. Just know that it WILL get better!) And I laughed when I read that Simon is a champion Wii bowler...my older son (4.5) is waaaay better at all the Wii games than I am, especially bowling! Thanks for a fun post.
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sounds like there is lots of growing up and growing together happening. so nice to see you all hanging out in the moment. off to check out these links...
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this is great... is should do something like this, my life has changed so much in the past year or so. i also love the wii picture!
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p.s. have you considered custom designing some team edwards family bowling shirts? :)
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I love you post today! I am a mom of three little boys, my youngest just turning one and my oldest just turned 5 and I to feel the same about motherhood as you do! After just reading your book, Life Artist, the first thought that comes to mind is believe in yourself! You seem like an amazing mother and your children are blessed to have someone that loves them to pieces! Awe, I think that organization bug is catchy since I have been doing the same thing lately! You have once again inspired me and I hope to create my own 10 things today! Have a wonderful and productive week!
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The John O'Donohue interview on SOF is a favorite of mine. I listen to it when I want to hear an Irish voice, which is quite often. That's a magical interview - esp, (for me) his view on the thresholds of life (threshold happens to be my one little word for this year :)
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I am soooo with you on #8! Amazing how the day seems to fly by sometimes and I wonder what in the world I accomplished when I have so many things left to do! I am readint The Help right now -- can't seem to put it down -- very interesting characters -- sort of reminds me of Secret Lift of Bees but maybe because of the similar setting -- anyway, I would rec. it as a good read.
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Oh parenthood is a hard hard job. It sounds as if you are doing a great job Ali. The periodic doubts are just part of life and lead us to evolve just a little more.
I have read Oprah's book a couple of months ago, and lived in Africa years ago. Be advised, this is a heavy heavy set of stories. Not bedtime reading imho. Just sayin'.
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I just stumbled upon your blog and love it! I'm in the photography industry and also do quite a bit of freelance graphic design as well. I love your 10 things: capturing me right now. You're just so transparent and I appreciate that. I just started a blog for the first time within the past week and am loving it. I would love for you to check it out! http://365daysofthankfulness.blogspot.com/
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That was one of the parts I really loved Jill - that whole concept of thresholds. Love that it is your word.
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Appreciate the feedback on the book Maureen. I had heard that the stories were heavy -
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Ali - I love that Simon realizes that each trip out of the house is an adventure. It makes life more interesting. Having a girl as the second baby is in some ways relearning motherhood again but it is such a wonderful process. Looking forward to the start of Yesterday and Today. Have a great week.
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Hmmmm, I thought Santa was bringing that Wii. He must have been running out of space and decided to drop it off early! Love your list, especially the contradictions. Sounds like a well-lived life! Take care!
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Ali,
I'm a third time mom (the older girl just turned 4 and my second boy is turning 3 next month and my baby is 7 months old). This third time around has reinforced in me is that so many things such as development milestones have very little to do with me. Case in point my first 2 slept through the night from 10 weeks on. Yes 7-7. 12 hours of sleep. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT.
The third, at 7 months, not so much. I'm up at least 2 to 3 times a night. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. Oh the karma gods are getting me! :)
But so far it's a great ride. I am also trying not to let insecurities get in the way. We all do.
I think you are doing great. You are working, playing and living life. That's what it is all about.
P.S. Love all your stuff at DD
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I had our fourth child in February, and I am in the sorting and piling and getting rid of excess phase, too. It is driving my husband crazy, but that is where I am at this point. My son has yet to sleep through the night, but I keep telling myself that it's the only way he gets alone time with me. If you haven't read it, I reccomend The Glass Castle. It's a memoir, and the writer is incredibly gifted in communicating her story. Even my husband enjoyed it.
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