Much to do about nothing...

No one told me that once you started a blog, people will actually call you to ask when the next "blog post" will be. You know, this is turning into some type of committment! (of which I forewarned you I might not keep!)

Our days have been filled with 90+ degree heat, occasional rain storms, and tons of humidity to accompany it. Because of this sticky weather, (and the fact that I'm 5 weeks away from delivery), we tend to stay inside where it's a nice & cool climate. Occasionally, we do get out to "alk" as Katelyn calls it. (She will usually repeat the word "alk" countless times, until we finally acknowledge her and go outside.) The highlight of one of our days this week was that during our walk, we ended up in an unsuspected rainstorm while at the end of the culdesac. (Imagine a large pregnant woman with a hyper dog on a leash, followed by a 2 yr old child pushing her doll in a small stroller.) It was quite a site to see. As the rain came pouring down, there I am trying to convince Katelyn to run up the hill against the hard rain that is soaking all of us. Because she is now over 31 pounds, I have found that I cannot continue to lift her and carry her off and on throughout the day. (If I want to be able to do more than just sit on the couch all evening, I have to pass up the heavy lifting.) For this reason, I was not going to pick her up and carry her up the long hill. Besides, I had a dog to control and with her in my arms, what would we do with the baby stroller?! Well, we finally made it home and I was amazed at myself for: 1) thinking of grabbing the camera and taking great pictures of this event, and 2) sharing these pictures with friends and family on this lovely thing we call a blog. As I pulled out my camera, ready to impress myself (and my mom), I soon discovered that my camera battery was dead. So, as hard as we were laughing, and as wet as we were, you will just have to imagine how great those pictures might've been. You have my sincere apologies, but I should get some credit for the effort!

In the meantime, our other days have been filled with such exciting activities that I'm sure after reading, you'll stop wondering why I'm not blogging about them. My activities lately range from writing insurance policies, making play-doh shapes, de-cluttering my home, laundry, puzzles, re-organizing my office, stacking blocks, cleaning, and the list could go on. Life at home with a toddler often consists of daily tasks with built-in fun. She can actually put clothes into the washer for me now, and she feeds the dog and the fish too! As a child and teenager, I used to be convinced that the only reason my parents had me was to do "their chores." Well, now that my daughter has grown into the mature age of 2, I figured it was time for her to start earning her keep around here as well. (That is, after all, why we had her...right?!) So, among other things, she helps me put the silverware on the table, cleans up her toys, cleans up Chips' toys, and helps sweep the floor. Pretty much anything that I'm doing, she loves to do as well. Her latest phrase is "I try" - and that is just what she does. During one chore last week, we sat on the carpet together (while cleaning up dog mess - how's that for an exciting activity!) and I fought the urge to hurry her up to finish the chore. For me, it's all a lesson in patience. The tasks that used to take me seconds to complete now, with a helper, take several minutes. Things don't get done as quickly as they used to, but she is learning and loving to help, and I am enjoying the chance to watch her and have her by my side. These simple, everyday tasks have been coupled with laughs and fun memories, and this time spent is worth every bit of patience I have to learn. "They" say (whoever "they" are) that we are the teachers to our children as they learn, but I suspect it might just be the other way around...