Weekend Pics: A Night Walk Downtown

After cuddling in and watching football all day on Saturday, we decided to bundle up and take a night walk in downtown Portland. We had so much fun and Seeley loved seeing all the lights and buildings. She especially enjoyed looking in restaurant windows and saying, "ooooooo". Luckily the people trying to eat their dinners thought it was funny. It's pretty great that we get to raise our daughter in such a beautiful city.

 

Stress, Growth and All That Stuff

First off, I feel silly. I'm not working all day to put food on the table, or struggling to take care of my family. My problems are definitely privileged. That said, life isn't a competition. I've been stressed. Mostly it's my darn anxiety acting up. Anxiety is a real killer when you're a stay-at-home mom who also happens to be a perfectionist. Is she watching too much t.v.? (Answer: yes. But the girl loves Curious George!) Is she spending enough time socializing? (Answer: of course. We spent three hours, THREE, at the park on Monday and had a three hour playdate yesterday.) Her development is skyrocketing. She started counting (to two, but still!) and identifying colors. She says new words everyday. I have a lot to keep up with. I'm trying to keep in mind one of my most important parenting philosophies of nurturing her personality and letting her grow without hovering. But it's easier said than done.

I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but taking care of Seeley, but I'm finding I have less and less time for myself. Writing poetry is important to me. I'm going to write and (hopefully) publish poetry for the rest of my life. I want to go to graduate school in the fall of 2015 to get a Master of Fine Art in Creative Writing and teach at the Community College level (hopefully). In typical Tanya fashion, my plans are rigid and defined. But I haven't written a poem in weeks. I'm too tired at night (did I also mention that her growth spurt is making her wake up a million times a night?) and too busy during the day. I don't have a solution, I'm just wondering where the time went? I'm sure this is common among all parents, especially stay-at-moms planning to return to a professional career. My previous work experience is falling further and further away and Seeley is getting closer and closer to school age! And where does that leave me!!! But enough whining and freaking out. Seeley just told me she pooped and is now jumping on the bed in said poopy diaper. Time to put writing aside for the moment and get back into mom mode:)

Seeley Turns Two (Part Three of Three)

No trip to Missoula is complete without fun time with Seeley's aunt Shamara (aka aunt girl)! We visited a local pumpkin patch and little girl had a blast. Now to look forward to Christmas!