I LOVE the cloud I am on right now...

This is a post shooting in all directions so please hang with me:

1) I am AMAZED at how many people stepped up with their thoughts over the moment of 'Russell'. His torch has been extinguished here but I figured letting him speak for himself was the best approach. I do know that as I get back to catching up with my familiar blogs that I have some new places to check out as well. I am pleased some lurkers came forth and I appreciate your thoughts on that brief little bit of melodrama. I have reason to suspect he/she could be a 'troll' anyway. It appears his claimed institution of higher learning doesn't claim him as faculty on their website. Whatever the case, I won't be wasting more time on any of that. I took that PIPO moniker for a reason so I'm going to try sticking to it...peace in, peace out.

2) I am very happy to report that things are going so well right now...only a few weeks back into the 'real deal' of life. My girl is thriving during the day with her little friends and play time. I am thrilled! It is such a relief to see her doing so well now. Her pediatrician was right when she said she thought it would go better for my girl once we were in the predictable groove rather than just the skittish work schedule I had at first.

3) My lovely lady who could not roll over and did not realize that her arms could bend when I met her has long since been crawling at high speed. Now she is walking..albeit still with a little trepidation. She seems so much more a little girl now and less a little baby. It's going by so quickly.

4) We are in a far more zen place now. I am still attentive to limited outside stimulation and I keep home a quiet, safe haven for her. My girl is back to sleeping 11 hours per night. The wail that would ring out in the night stopped a couple weeks ago as well.

5) There are so many more smiles from the toes and belly laughs now. It is a TREASURE to see and hear those things. I have gotten spontaneous sticky, sloppy kisses and that is the grooviest thing ever. Great strides have been made. It is obvious to me that she has become so much more comfortable and that makes me feel immensely better.

6) My girl is getting a little more discriminating about her food choices. She prefers particular brands of yogurt and cottage cheese. She turns up her nose if it's not her 'brand'. Oh my! She is a good little eater, though, and loves her blueberries and peaches.

7) I am finally settling into some semblance of normalcy with work again. It was not an easy transition back for me either but we both have a pretty good grip on things now. I am really getting pretty snappy with the knife juggling (most days ;o>)

8) I am only going to mention the 'Russell' thing one last time. Thanks for the support but I will say he never made me feel 'guilty' nor did he make me question myself. After all, no one else can make me feel any particular way unless I allow it. In truth, I can actually thank him. I was experiencing times when I was really struggling within myself about if I was doing a good job as a mom. The transitions were VERY hard for us both and I shed my fair amount of tears. I am sure I will, again, in the future. But, I will say the judgmental blathering of another took away any of that doubting myself. His comments led me to take stock in how hard I have worked to become a responsible parent and all that I have to offer my child. He also made me realize that no one else's garbage will ever come between me and my child in any way. It all simply bolstered my confidence that I am parenting my daughter in a way that will serve her well as she grows.

9) Life IS good....I feel prepared for the next round of speed bumps in daily life at work, play or home. It's nice when it's that way rather than feeling like the back of your head just keeps bouncing off bump after bump with no respite.

10) Enjoy your weekend. I certainly plan to enjoy mine with my favorite blueberry muncher.