The First Rain

Well.... It could be a long winter. Today it was cold this morning when I woke up (which is saying a lot since I am almost never cold) so I was keeping Charlie bundled up.  After morning naps (2)  I got him all loaded up to go to target. We need another space heater as my small one only heats up one room and we can't run the heater with our smoker neighbor. Of course we also need stuff like baby wipes which we buy by the case....having a baby is so expensive and we have been so lucky to have been given so many high quality used items so that we could save some money. I had also planned on going to whole paycheck (Whole Foods) with a grocery list for new non-dairy diet ideas. (Charlie seems to be doing much better now that I am off dairy completely - including the proteins whey and casein which are in almost all processed foods!)  I was no sooner down my street when it started to rain....aaahhhh shieeet.  So then I went back and forth in my mind on what to do. I ended up turning around and going home because there was nothing really urgent that I needed and I didn't want to have Charlie out in the rain unless it was really necessary. Of course, immediately people started driving like idiots! We saw an accident on the side of the road and have heard many sirens from the condo this afternoon which is pretty unusual.  I'm a little concerned about the power going out with this early rain so I'm going to round up my candles and refill the batteries in our flashlights....power outtage with a small baby does not sound like a good combo...I guess there are some good things about continuing to breastfeed despite the big diet sacrifices.

I was reluctant to go home for my own mind though. It's so dark today and I really need to get out and walk.  I think it could be a loooonnnnggg winter staying home. My mom has seasonal affective disorder and I'm starting to feel like staying cooped up with the baby will make me go nuts. At least it was still warm when Charlie was born so I could get a grip before the big time cold starts. I know it might seem like nothing but staying home can be so isolating. I don't have family here and my friends all work during the day so it's not the usual set up. At least when we walk downtown I can talk with other adults (all the local business owners always ask about Charlie).  Hopefully the winter, while it may be cold, will be full of sunny days.  I cling to our time outside the condo and love simple things like our post-natal fitness class where I can invest in myself and I'm welcome to bring my baby.  

Yesterday Nona had a call in San Jose and snuck over afterwards for the afternoon. We had fun at sushi (Mmmmm) and she helped me exchange a few things for Charlie at the mall. We then jammed to fitness class where Nona  took care of Charlie so I got an even better work out in.  Of course, Charlie was a saint the whole time under "Nona's spell".... Mmmm Hmmm.  I wish I had taken a minute to take a couple of photos - I was losing my mind  yesterday and it was perfect timing to have my mom in town for a little dose of sanity.

Above all I can't complain. My sweet baby is sleeping in his car seat and I know he is such a gift. I treasure this time with him - his smile and loud "talking" melts my heart. I can't imagine leaving him with someone else and I know we are blessed to be in this position. (That and we've worked our asses off and did a bunch of planning :-)