"Up, Please"

Emerson is speaking in short sentences these days, and it is just a hoot to hear the ideas she strings together. It makes me wonder if she has been mulling these thoughts for a while now, and finally having the capacity to verbalize must be such a thrilling time for her.

I have been very busy lately. Between my volunteer commitments at church, Junior League, and recently taking on a project with a former boss, I find myself sneaking away to the computer to work when I think Emerson is engrossed in play. She is never too engrossed to notice my absence and to come searching for me. She always knows where to look. I hear little feet running across the kitchen floor and into the office, and my little blondie comes to my side and says, "Up, please." Well, this breaks a mother's heart, doesn't it? I would like to finish what I am doing, because it always seems important at the time. But, how do you say "no" to a 19 month-old who looks at you so sweetly and asks to be picked up and says "please" for that matter? So, now-a-days, I pick her up, and we find Web sites for kids to practice ABCs and animal shapes.

It wasn't always like this, though. A few months ago, our minister at church gave a sermon about priorities, and I really took it to heart. He illustrated his point about making God a priority by telling a story, an interaction, between one of his children and himself. He was busy, as we all are, and whenever he set about preparing a sermon or working on something for the church while at home, his toddler would come to him and put her arms up. At first, he would tell her that he was working on something very important. After doing this several times, he realized that his toddler holding her arms up to be held was more important than what he was doing at the time. That story really stuck with me. When I put my arms out for help from God, he doesn't ignore me or tell me other things are more important. I feel like my role as Emerson's mother is to teach her how to be a productive person, which includes feeling secure and loved. So, now when she asks me if I'll pick her up, I do. Naps and bedtime are when I now get things accomplished....guess who is sleeping?

This brings me to my summer plans. Along the lines of priorities, I realized that I am spending a lot of time doing everything for others and not really having fun with the time I have with my family, or at least not maximizing the fun. I also realized that I am not as in tune with my body and P2, and I want to find more quiet time to cherish this pregnancy and be with Emerson. So, I told my church circle that I am taking a sabbatical from my leadership position. The Junior League goes on summer break in 6 weeks, and the project I was working on is pretty much finished. I think this summer will be about swimming at the pool; gymnastics class for Emerson; playing at the park; and going places that Emerson will love, like the zoo, etc. I am taking Emerson for a long weekend to visit Mom and Dad in Hilton Head while they are there in June, so she can have fun at the beach (She loves to sit on the edge of the water and let the waves crash into and over her). Before all of that though, Jason and I are going to experience each other in Mexico. Too bad I won't be experiencing any margaritas ;-).

So, my motto for this spring and summer comes from a quote I read the other day...
"Once in a while you have to take a break and visit yourself." -Audrey Giorgi