Anne Lamott

If you are not familiar with Anne Lamott, I IMPLORE you to go pick up one of her books IMMEDIATELY.  Specifically, "Grace (Eventually)", "Traveling Mercies", or "Bird by Bird."  Her fiction is wonderful, don't get me wrong (I own most of it, I am speaking from experience).  But the essays she writes about her own life are spectacular. 

I've never really felt like someone "gets" it...with the exception of my own mother...until I read "Grace (Eventually)."  I read it when I was pregnant, and, let me tell you, it was the first time I was AFRAID to be a mother.  I was nervous about the cost, sure...but the responsibility part wasn't worrisome.  But the way she so perfectly encapsulates the sheer animal wilderness of a mother's love petrified me.  I wasn't worried about me, or my daughter....I was worried about anyone who might inflict the tiniest bit of harm - even accidentally!  Turns out I was right to be afraid.

When Alaina was about 4 weeks old, she feel asleep on my chest after I nursed her in the middle of the night.  This was SOP (standard operating procedure) for the first weeks home.  Erik rolled over, holding a pillow, and bopped her good.  She wasn't hurt, and I don't even think she woke up.  But I internally flew into a rage.  Intellectually, I knew there was no reason to be upset.  But that didn't keep me from screaming in my head...

"HOW DARE YOU?  DON'T YOU KNOW THERE IS AN ITTY-BITTY INFANT IN THIS BED?  SHE COULD'VE BEEN INJURED!  IF YOU SO MUCH AS BREATHE ON HER WRONG, YOU'LL NEVER SLEEP IN THIS BED AGAIN!!"

Like I said, intellectually, I knew it was no big deal.  And I didn't say anything.  But, my Lord, I didn't even know I could be that angry!

But Anne Lamott knew.  And she told me about it before it happened.  But I did not heed her warning.

Seriously, though, if you are a woman, or a daughter, or a mother, or a reader, or a writer, or a human...read something of hers.  It's incredible stuff.

Apologies...

I have been remiss in my updates, to say the least.  I recently contracted a stomach virus (i.e. doctor says sorry...just keep barfing) which is TONS of fun with an active 7 month old.  On the plus side, at least I'm not pregnant! 

Don't get me wrong, I want Alaina to have a sibling.  But I'd like to let her have the solo child spot for awhile longer.  My parents really screwed that up for me (sorry, Brandon) so I've just had to spend the rest of my life recreating the spotlight I missed out on as a small child.  Maybe I'm exaggerating.  Maybe.  Okay, maybe I just like the spotlight.

So I approach the blog with renewed zeal, and I apologize for the wait. 

Oh....you don't know about Twirlit?

 As in Twirlit.com?  It's a fun little website.  Gossip, makeup, diet, clothes, and also pertinent medical articles for women.  It's lots of fun.

But the best part?  Free Stuff Wednesdays!

Every Wednesday, Twirlit announces free stuff to give away.  This week, a tea sampler, last week was clothes.  One week they gave away the most amazing gym bag!  But it was before I knew about the site.  :o(



Here's the link to this week's giveaway: I <3 FREE!

(And what's even better?  It doesn't seem like that many people enter the giveaway...WAY better chances.  I shouldn't even be telling you!)