I have become one of them

Mr. Man turned one last month. He has grown and changed so much over the past 12 months, and I have grown and changed along with him. My values shifted instantaneously without conscious effort. I have learned more about life and myself from my now 22 pound ball of curiosity than I had ever thought possible. So much of what I thought I would and wouldn't do as a mom flew out the window once the baby arrived. Is it all rainbows and unicorns...certainly not. Do we still struggle with sleep and naps...yes indeed. However, along this nap-devoid, messy adventure, I've made some simple but meaningful realizations.
I never understood why parents have no time for house cleaning, eyebrow waxing, showering (when he was a breast-feeding infant), or magazine reading...I get it now.
I never understood the satisfaction of reading a 15-word book 12 times in 6 minutes...I get it now.
I never understood the joy of watching a bright-eyed tot bang on pots and pans...I get it now.
I never understood why mothers had Cheerios spilling out from every bag and jeans/jacket/stroller pocket available....I get it now. In fact, I have become one of them---a card carrying member of the Cheerios toting mom's club.

Yoga Groove

Hubby is playing video games, eating meat, and drinking beer with a buddy tonight. So, I took a class called Yoga Groove tonight, primarily because the cost was the donation of a canned good. It was an awesome class. On the top floor of an historic townhouse, the classroom contained floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lights of the businesses along the creek. I chatted with the only guy in the class who was very well traveled, especially for someone whose occupation is a house-painter.

The class was taught by a sweet-voiced young Italian girl. It started out like any other class; however, the last 20 minutes were spent dancing. First slowly, then the music grew louder and faster as did our movements. Everyone really got into it, with the exception of one woman who jsut wasn't ready to let go. I thought that it felt great. I left energized, refreshed, and calm. Trying to carry the lessons I learned in that class will be a continual challenge because it opposes the habits that I've used (structure, logic, control) to get to where I am.

Oh, I should also note that I ate turkey bacon today. I was in TJs, saw it, and could think of nothing else.