This week was a great week, which I say all of the time – because it’s true! This week spring has sprung and my mood has improved with the rising temperatures. I think I speak for all Chicagoans when I say we’re far more pleasant when the temps finally rise above 40 degrees. Or even 30 degrees. I finally feel like I’m hitting my groove in terms of getting out and about and socializing with moms and non-moms and with Clara and without Clara. I also feel like volunteering has saved my sanity, and so has working out.

I like to think I’m a SAHM who doesn’t stay at home a whole lot – and I feel like I’ve found a balance that is working for me and my family right now.

(This Week) I Kept Myself Busy By

• … hosting friends for dinner (we ate taco soup!).
• … attending my moms church group.
• … volunteering at the tax site for a few hours on Tuesday & Thursday.
• … going to a few yoga classes – including Beyonce Flow Yoga, which I loved.
• … starting sleep training with Clara, AGAIN.
• … enjoying a play date and mom time with a new friend.
• … eating way too much food at Gather during date night. If you live in Chicago and haven’t gone to Gather, go immediately! 
• … getting a pedicure with some other new moms at a girls night out at the salon Glowout. Our night involved champagne and cheese and crackers and discussing our babies – of course!

(This Week) I’ve Learned:

• There are reasons not to ‘help’ babies walk. (While I was originally tempted to disregard this, I have been helping Clara walk for about a week now and I’m going to stop immediately because now it’s all she wants to do and she has stopped wanting to crawl and play independently. So I definitely see the truth to this piece.) (here)
• I shouldn’t be staring at my phone in bed. (I felt convicted as I watched this clip at 11:30pm. Whoops.) (here)
• A perspective about what rich, wealth, and success look like. (here)
• Horrifically, people with albinism are being targeted and mutilated by witch doctors in Tanzania, because it’s believed their bodies have healing properties. (here)
• True courtesy will instinctively check faddish manners at the door in the interest of kindness — which is the root from which the entire family tree of courteous behavior, from the noble Egyptian’s papyrus on, has sprung. (here)

(This Week) Clara

• … has so many teeth I’ve lost track.
• … only wants to stand, no sitting for this girl.
• … is crawling like a champ.
• … didn’t bite my nipples as much as last week – thank goodness.
• … is being forced to drop her third nap to preserve my sanity.
• … hasn’t really tried any new foods because her parents are kind of lazy in that department – whoops.
• … turned 8 months old (today, actually).

(This Week) I Wrote:

• About choosing not to add negative emotions where they don’t need to be. (Mon)
• A quick post including an excerpt I read and loved. (Wed)