So I haven't mentioned much about either of these for a while and they both deserve some recognition.
I was talking with my playgroup moms the other day and I realize how very lucky I am to have Matt for a husband (besides all the normal husbandly things--changing cat litter, taking out trash, unclogging drains, mowing lawn) he also is SO GOOD about giving me downtime. Not only downtime in the house to myself but also getting me out of the house to do things on my own or with friends. Having a mom's group really helps that along since we have regularly scheduled Mom Night Outs and Coffee nights, but Matt has NEVER ever once given me grief about going to these. In fact, he always pushes me to go and offers help however he can to get me to go (making sure he's home on time from work, etc), offering to help clean if I want to host.... Plus, he'll often ask me at 6:00 if I want to have a friend or two over for coffee or to just hang out after Maddy's in bed at 8. "Why don't you give 'em a call? See if they want to come over??" Add in, for Christmas this year I received both a pottery certificate and also a day spa certificate--both for times away from the house by myself. I truly appreciate how great he is about getting me out.
Maddy has also been doing an awesome job lately! She's been doing a MUCH better job eating with us and trying all the different foods I've been cooking. I feel like she's getting much more well-rounded meals now. She's eating a better breakfast and eating dinners just great. Lunches still tend to be hurried kid-comfort foods (mac and cheese, hot dogs, etc) but she's doing GREAT eating. She's also been doing a fabulous job sleeping, too! Our bedtime routine is shortened, she almost never calls anymore after we put her in bed before she falls asleep and it's a rarity when she calls during the night anymore, too! She's also been sleeping pretty regularly to at least 6:30-7:30 instead of the usual 6. Add in most of the time it's until about 7!! It's been heavenly! Plus, she's been such a great helper, too. I've started to give her more responsibility around the house--helping unload the dishwasher, matching socks, putting things away, helping feed the cats, etc.... She's always very willing and does a nice job with it all, too (and what isn't quite right I make sure she doesn't see me fix. ;-)) I'm so impressed with what a little girl she's become!
Okey dokey, off to dust the basement some and maybe clean the bathroom a bit down there before Matt has the guys over here tonight. Then I need to start making my list of things I need to do before Adrian comes! It's not that much farther away!