Six months

WTF? Already? Good thing we started her college savings account already, she's going to need it practically next week at this rate.

I was thinking yesterday that I wanted to do a post of some of the highlights, for myself, to look back on. Of course, I had a million ideas and now, sitting at the computer having just put Andra down for a nap, my eloquent thoughts are scattered. Still...

• I'm impressed that we've managed to keep this little critter alive. I mean, I know less qualified people do it all the time, but still...she was so tiny and all in the beginning. I guess babies are designed to grow though, no matter what.
• I am SO happy I ended up with a kid who likes to sleep as much as I do. Even her naps now, at least when home, are easy (if still on the short side): when she starts fussing and rubbing her eyes, plunk her down in the crib, turn on the mobile, walk away, and she's out by the time the music stops.
  
• She's just a go-with-the-flow kind of kid (maybe they all are, at this age though?). A friend swears it's because she's a Saggitarius. Whatever, it's nice that she's social, happy, interested, can play by herself for fairly long stretches (10-15 minutes, with occasional tickles from mom), smiles easily and often at anyone who talks to her, and doesn't seem phased by anything. (I realize this could all change once she reaches separation anxiety age...)
• I'm still not a touchy-feely person, but MAN do I love this kid.
• I'm pretty laid back as far as moms go, I think. I don't worry too much about germs, daycare, blah blah blah. I want to raise a happy, outgoing, independent kid and that means letting her explore the world and other people.
• Working out is important, but not nearly as much as pre-kid. I do still try to work out most days, because I like it. But if I miss a day, fine. Not gonna lie, I wish I had kept up my distance with running. It's always hard to get that endurance back once it's gone. But I don't have the desire to go out for long runs like I did, I don't have that discipline with everything else that's going on, and although I have nostalgia for the old days, I'm pretty ok with where I am. (I'm also going next Monday to a foot guy about my heel/Achilles issue. If that gets somewhat better, I'll feel better about ramping up the distance/days of running this summer.)
• I am pretty sure I'm not cut out to be a stay-at-home-mom. This summer will tell, somewhat. Not that it matters, we couldn't afford for me to stay home even if I wanted to.
• My husband has become enamored with Andra since she's been more interactive...and it's no big deal to leave her with him anymore, like it was (for me anyway) when she was tiny.
• I love how when I kiss Andra's neck, she opens her mouth wide like she's going to squeal, but nothing comes out. She makes some hilarious faces and I can't wait to see what they turn into in a year or two!
• Breastfeeding was no big deal. Any big deals were in my own mind. I'm in the process of cutting down and out, but taking it slowly. I'm very confident that I'll drop a few pounds when I stop, last time I weighed myself I was 5 pounds above pre-preg weight and my appetite has been much more normal the last few weeks since cutting out one daytime pumping session. I do want smaller boobs when this is over. Big boobs make me feel fat and (totally unrelated) I don't understand why super fit/lean weightlifter types always get boob implants. Makes them look so unbalanced.

I think that's it for now. Not the eloquent post I had in mind, but it will have to do.

In other news, I did a spin class followed by a half-mile swim in the pool. The swim took 20 minutes. That is slow. I did try to force myself to practice breathing on my right side, and also alternating sides. By the end I didn't feel quite as awkward, but I have a long ways to go there.