Added years

I sit here eating my very fall-esque lunch (at 230) of butternut squash soup and a honey crisp apple (and an oreo...shhhh) and I am pondering. Because my daughter now takes a 3 hour afternoon nap. ANd I love it. Is that bad? I feel guilty. Again :) It's the 3 hours during the day my little apartment appears to be clean. 

I took Danika on a bike ride today (her very first) and she LOVED it. She was practically screaming "WHEEE!" the whole time. SO cute. We wound up at a huge park and being that it's somewhere around 80 degrees in November, we took advantage of it. I pushed her on the swing for awhile (her favorite) and then let her climb up the slide. I swear to you, she must have climbed up it 85 times. And then slid down on her tummy. And every time, without a moment of hesitation, up she went again. She was so determined to get to the top time after time after time. 

These little people! There are so many articles that debate whether people with children live longer or happier. The last one I read was on the "yes" side of that debate with the simple explanation that children simply make you want to be a better person. SO true! 

This little girl reminds me daily to find joy in the smallest places ... for her, a delicious crumb found on the carpet ... for me, simply savoring a scrumptious cup of chai in the morning and reveling in the fact that I get to watch my daughter grow up every single day. When I'm tempted to yell at that idiot who doesn't know how to put his foot on the gas pedal, a single glance in my rearview mirror reminds why I shouldn't. When Nate and I get "into it" and want to let each other have it, her simple presence reminds us to speak in a reasonable tone and to pick our battles. 

Shoot. If you had seen my living space three years ago as compared to now. That little girl saved me from my own mess! I was too busy 3 years ago to care ... now? the living room is vacuumed daily and it KILLS me to see my kitchen dirty. Who IS this person I've become? Three years ago I would have eaten oreos *wink* and orange juice for lunch ... today? Organic Butternut squash soup and apple slices? Okay, so occasionally I slip with the oreos, but at least they are no longer my main meal. 

I guess the point is, these little babies. They may or may not add years to your life, but if you make an effort to be a good mom, they sure make the years you do have more worthwhile and full of love and happiness. Occasionally (like every, um, day) they may stress you out and it feels like they're taking years away...but look at this! I originally intended to post about how stupid drivers have become. Huh!