funk.

I have been feeling rather uninspired. Between Anna's (constant) teething, household chores which I have too readily avoided and just "life" getting in the way, blogging hasn't been a priority. Well, folks, ready or not... here I come. It has been a long time... or so it seems.

Last week, I decided to look "just for fun" at vacation rentals in the Outer Banks. Dan and I have been talking and debating about whether or not a summer vacation should be in the works for us this year. We are cautious because of the change in Dan's employment, not to mention the stresses of traveling with a (soon to be) toddler. Despite the possible stresses, we realize that a vacation is just what the doctor ordered...even if it won't be until September! :). As I was browsing the web, I found a really cute villa for rent in "Corolla Light Resort." It was so cute, clean and new. It has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (with jetted tubs), it is beach front (650 ft. to the ocean), has a deck with a grill, comes with a kayak...and the cherry on top? a private hot tub! Also, there are 5 pools (2 of which will be heated in September), a gym (like I will be at the gym?), and all the other resort- type amenities. I emailed the realtor and there was only ONE week left for the season. September 7-14...and, well...we booked it! Made our deposit, and I am thrilled. We were looking to go somewhere that we could drive to, as I certainly didn't want to deal with airplane travel, and we found it! Now we will have to rent a car big enough to handle us, our luggage, and all the necessary baby "stuff." A crib is included in the villa, so at least that is one less thing we will need.

In that last paragraph, i mentioned the change in Dan's employment. It is "officially official!" Today he began his journey as an Independent Consultant. The lawyer has looked through his contract, and I am so thankful he has something he is excited about in his career. When his future business partners begin their work as consultants, then the company will get going. Their name is Convergent Principles Consulting. for now. :).

As far as my employment as "domestic engineer"...I think (no, I know) i am not living up to my potential. I have been in a "funk." My life is just as I had dreamed, yet, i am having a hard time finding motivation to just get going. I am just always tired. It seems the more Anna sleeps, the more tired I become. It's strange. I am thinking I should go get a check-up or physical, perhaps this is health-related. My body (neck, back, shoulder) is in pain most of the time, and it just makes me physically exhausted. When I go to the doctor, they blow me off saying there is nothing they can do until I stop nursing. I feel like the doctors aren't believing me. When things slow down, I am making an appointment with my mother's doctor, because she is familiar with all my mom's aches and pains, and can perhaps see if this is genetic. Whatever it is....it sucks. (to be blunt). I want to have the energy to make my house a home, to play with Anna, and to do things for me, like scrapbook and read. I want Anna to have an energetic, vivacious, social and fun mommy. Right now, I am not that. Something needs to change.

Anna. She is such a beautiful little girl, if I do say so myself. Yes, I realize I am biased, but seriously... look at her. :). She has 5 teeth which are visible (four on the bottom, one on top). She continues to teethe, I just can't see the little pearly whites yet. Her nose is running like crazy and boy is she a cranky-pants.....I don't blame her, though. She seems to be getting a bunch of teeth in a short amount of time. She is becoming more vocal, babbling all the time. I just love hearing her wake up and talk to her stuffed animals. She says "Mama" and "Baba" like a pro. I think she is saying "baba" in place of "dada". Whenever I talk about daddy or say "DADA"...she echoes by saying "baba." She doesn't use a bottle or anything else that we would call baba. So, either it is simply a noise she has learned to make, or she is trying to say hi to daddy. Either way, it is cute. :) Still not crawling or walking, but in her own time. She has reached other developmental milestones, so now is not the time to worry. Anna has completely filled our hearts and our lives with the most intense feeling of love and joy. She is a gift to be cherished each day. My prayer is that I will NEVER, EVER take her for granted. Life is too short, and she is growing too fast!

Last night, Dan moved everything in the basement to make room for painting. Our goal is to have this done by Anna's birthday party. We have no more room. at. all. So, I volunteered to clean the baseboards and prep the walls (what was I thinking). We have picked out our colors, and now it is a matter of time (which there is never enough of).

Speaking of time...I am out of it, Anna is now awake from her morning nap :).

Happy St. Patty's Day to all you fellow Irish folk. Hope your day is a good one.

P.S - to those to whom I owe an e-mail, you are not forgotten...my "funk" got the best of me...you will hear from me soon. or, at least that's the plan. :)