February again already...

This has been by far the quickest year of my life.

This time last year, we were a few weeks away from having Emerson. I remember it as a very happy time. I was excited. We had 3 baby showers among our friends and workplaces. I was wrapping things up at work to be gone for 6 weeks, so I didn't get stressed out much there. I could eat whatever I wanted. The baby was still safely inside - I knew where she was at all times, and a good kick now and then was enough to let me know everything was going OK.

Despite all the good things that were afoot, I think I also remember that time as happy because of all the free time I had. We saw 3 of the Best Picture nominees in the theater, a place I haven't been in a year. I had a good hour or so every night to do nothing but cross stitch stuff for the baby's room. Lots of time for writing and shopping and cleaning and going to church.

I still enjoy all of these things, but mornings and evenings and weekends are shorter these days. They're much shorter for a good reason - I'm not saying I have any regrets. But I would advise all potential parents to enjoy their free time while they have it.

I'm in the process of trying to reclaim some of the free time that I had before. I'm joining a board at church - not exactly "free" time, but any time that I'm not taking care of the baby seems like free time. Plus it will allow me to reconnect with old friends that I don't see very much. I'm writing right now, thanks to Rod feeding the baby and getting her to sleep.

I hate that time will apparently pass at this rate from now on. I doubt I'll get that much more time to myself later on - with softball games and parent/teacher conferences to go to. But I'm learning to put extra value on the few minutes a day I get of it, as well as high value on the time I get to spend with the awesome little person who is growing up right in front of me.