Where Does The Time Go?

Not only can I not believe it's been about two weeks since I put up a post, Ella is now 18 months. She is halfway to 2. Time goes so quickly, this is how we lose touch with people, lose time with our friends and families. Before you know it you realize that you haven't spoken to someone you really care about in months. We are always on the go and now days everyone has a lot to worry about and stress over. It's hard to reclaim any free time (which really is fun time) between, jobs, kids, housework and running errands. Even working as little as I do, even I feel like I have no time for anything. (Which totally isn't true, I have more time than most.)

This rapid passing of time makes me even more grateful that I am with Ella most of the time. I have an 18 month old, when I swear I feel like I was just pregnant with her. I remember feeling her move the first time and thinking is that her? I know being her mother is one of my great journeys in my lifetime. I know it's going to seem like she grew up in the blink of an eye. Watching my niece and nephew get so much older in what seems like no time at all, I imagine it's even faster as the parent. I have been told it goes fast, many times and I believe them.

I am trying to make every day count. I am so aware that these years will go fast, just like my pregnancy and the first year went fast. Before I know it she will be in school and I probably wont know what to do with myself except work more. I also wont have as much time to play and have fun with her and to just be with her, with school comes sports and other extra activities that will take more "us" time away. That is just the way of the world and I know those days are coming. When her toddler and pre-school years are over, I dont want to have any regrets that I missed out on this early stage of life. We will never again have this much time with our kids, not when school, sports and hobbies start. Well, unless you home school, or you have an unemployed adult child that lives with you. I think I'll take the toddler years.

I Have SUCH A Girl!

I did not expect to have such a girlie little girl already. She is really starting to love being in her dress up things. Sunday, she was insistent on wearing a big frilly ruffled tutu when she found it. Yesterday, was about the butterfly wings and different hats and headbands. Today, it was her mini play apron and a strand of pearls. She gets so excited when I put a dress on her and she is constantly playing with her shoes and wanting to wear them. She also has a sparkly little poodle purse that she likes to carry around. I am not even trying to influence her to be girlie. I am girlie too, but I don't want a prissy little girl, at least she likes to play in the dirt.  I also like that she loves to play with cars. I wouldn't like it if she didn't like to go play outside or if she hated being in the grass.

I want Ella to be well rounded, enjoying all aspects of what it means to be a child not just the "girl" things. Just like boys can like more than just "boy" things, or even end up being a little prissy. I want to buy her a play work bench to go right next to her cupcake kitchen. I am very happy to have a muddy little girl in a dress.

A Time And Place For Everything

OK, so recently I was out with my husband at a very public place and this couple sitting very close to us was completely oblivious to the fact that, there were people around them (shocking, I know). That's great you're in love! I however, do not need to witness the groping, extensive kissing and  entangled cuddling. It's one thing to talk about it with friends, but I do not want to see two total strangers (or anyone I know for that matter) acting like they are sitting on their couch, you know, behind closed doors. I mean her hair was getting all tangled up in his over-gelled George Clooney haircut. I am not anti-affection, quite the opposite actually. I believe in hugging and a kiss on the cheek every time I see someone I love BUT I do this with my husband, my friends and my family. No discrimination, if it's appropriate with my mother in law, I am pretty sure nobody will take offense if I do the same with my spouse. I know no one wants to see Nick and I acting like idiots in public. Nor do I want to see anyone else. A quick butt grab is my limit. If I see a couple holding hands or sharing a quick kiss, I think it's sweet.

To me, it's a cry for attention and overcompensating for something that is missing in your relationship if you feel the need to be all over your other half in public. I don't even care if you just met. You (or both of you) are incredibly insecure if you need to claim your territory. Furthermore if you really can't stand to not be touching each other (get a little self control) maybe you should have stayed home. As in, where no one has to watch you act like a fool. I mean, you wouldn't walk in to a crowded room of strangers and yell at the top of you're lungs that you just LOVE the person you're there with! (Frankly, none of us are Tom Cruise and even he looked extremely silly on Oprah that one time.) When you are all over each other, you might as well be shouting that. It's also dis-respectful plain and simple, not only to the people around you but also to your relationship. That kind of intense affection, is a private matter because with it, you can lead up to an incredibly intimate and very private act. That shouldn't be shared with people if it's going to mean something to you. More than just casual affection, such as making out, groping and grabbing and wrapping yourselves around each other because you just can't get close enough should be done in private. 

I know some people get all riled up when others watch them be super affectionate (or more than that.....) but if that's the case, put it on the Internet. That way the people who actually want to watch you, can, and the rest of us, don't have to.