The Stay at Home Mom

For those of you who missed the subtle change to my profile, about a month ago I became a full time stay at home mom. OK so I was on maternity leave for 3 months prior to that, but effective August 24th I resigned from my position as staff RN. WOW, what a big change!!! I have been a nurse for the past 11 years, my career was such a defining part of who I was that I was afraid that I would be losing a part of myself if I left nursing for a while. It wasn't the money or the security I clung to, but rather the title that I could define myself by. I thought that I would feel a little lost, but to be honest I am WAY to busy to even notice. It's really nice not to have to juggle child care and meals and laundry days and getting my kids from place to place. And I realize more and more how important it is for me to be at home with my kids. They get busier and busier the older they get and I am really cherishing the time I have with little Leah.

Fall is also such a busy time for putting up food for winter. Below are some pictures of Tal helping me to make apple rings and slices. He is a great helper.

We made 5 dryers full of apple rings and slices, several dryers of apricot roll-ups, canned peaches, pears, cherries, apricots and salsa, froze strawberries, raspberries, beans, corn, and peaches, and still have carrots and diced tomatoes to can. Below is a picture of my square-foot garden. This is my second year and it is the perfect size for us. We have enough to eat and a little to share without to much work. We grew radishes, carrots, 2 kinds of peas, lettuces, swiss chard, bok choy, yellow wax beans, green onions, red peppers, jalapeno peppers, crook neck squash and lots of tomatoes. In addition we also have a strawberry patch and a raspberry patch.

I haven't got to spend as much time in my gardens as I like this year, but I am growing something even more important than plants - children of God. I love you little Meeks :)

Leah at 3 months

Little Leah is growing up so fast. Again I was trying to coax out one of her sweet smiles, but with no luck. Her favorite times are bath time and at night when I strip her down to her onsie and let her kick with her diaper off. Then we get lots of smiles and coos, but I'm not going to post those pics of her. (She would curse me when a teenager.) This nifty seat is called a Bumbo and my awesome sister, Kalene, bought it for her. Thanks, sis :) Leah likes to sit up in it where she can see the action. She will watch me make meals or do the dishes. But we have to move fast because she only likes it for about 20 minutes. Then she can really set up a wail. Leah is a very opinionated baby, she is a Meek after all. And if she isn't getting exactly what she wants she will let you know, very loudly. Leah LOVES to be held and carried around. Thank goodness for the front pack my sister lent me. She also likes to play "So Big" games where we hold her arms and pull up to a sitting position or where we help her stand. She does NOT like to be on her tummy though. And she HATES to ride in the car. She will scream an entire care ride. Luckily the grandparents are only 15-25 minutes away because anything longer would drive mom completely insane. I'm only partially there now. I don't even have to put her in her seat, simply going into the garage and opening the door of the van will set her off and the wailing begins. She takes about 3 naps a day and we are slowly working into a general schedule. I wish I could say that she is sleeping through the night but unfortunately her ear infection really set her back and she is playing catch up on her feedings. We are back to every 2 to 2 1/2 hours through the night. I'm getting pretty worn down so I hope that she will chub up quick . Kris calls her Leah Lou or Lou Lou. When she's happy she really is a cutie and we are so glad to have her.