The Seventh Month Itch

Apparently there comes a time in a marriage where 7 years down the road, one or the other is just simply growing tired and weary of a monogamous relationship. Psychologists have named this The Seventh Year Itch. This was comically portrayed in a movie of the same name starring Marilyn Monroe in all her buxom blonde glory. If the movie is anything close to reality, I guess I have 6 years to practice my skills for an a** whooping if some Marilyn comes Jordan's way. But this post isn't about us, it's about Shadow.

Now, I'm still new at this mother thing, but I have discovered that there is a certain time in a baby's new life where they are just simply unsatisfied with being a baby. Blowing spit bubbles, playing with plastic keys and having a limited menu consisting of formula and baby food just isn't cutting it anymore. So, I think I could appropriately name this as "The Seventh Month Itch."

I can see it in his little face everyday. Shadow would rather say hi mommy than "ahhh". He would rather have chicken then pureed bananas. He would rather get up and walk into the kitchen than crawl there and he would rather play basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks than push a little ball around on the floor. (OK that last one is mine.) But seriously, he is just over being a little baby and I'm not sure what I can do to help him get over this "itch."

If only I could convince him that being 8 months old is going to be so much cooler than being 7 months old. If only he could understand me when I say "be patient little one." But since he is still a baby, he doesn't. And I think that is OK. After all, if I had my choice, he would be 7 months old a lot longer than he would like to be.

No final roses here

The final rose ceremony during the season of The Bachelorette. Reality TV at its finest if you are a fan. I always got a chuckle at how stressed the woman was on the final episode. She would usually say things like, "How do I choose? I'm in love with two guys at once!"

Seriously? In love with two people? Please. The show makes you say that to bring on the drama. I, for one, didn't think it was possible to be in love with two people at once. Until now. I can honestly say I relate to the feelings of Bachelorlettes past, present and future. Yes, I am in love with two different guys. However, I don't have to choose. And instead of anxiety, I find that it is truly the best thing in the world.

I get to come home to them everyday, knowing they love me unconditionally and that they need me just as much as I need them. One completes me (Yes, I just pulled a Jerry Maguire on you) and one makes me want to be a better/stronger person. One understands who I am, where I come from, and the other thinks it's heaven when I make goofy faces. One strengthens me and challenges me in good ways, and the other can just smile at me and I melt. One is my best friend and the other my little buddy. One loves oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and the other just discovered peaches are OK.

Jordan and Shadow are my world, and my heart grows bigger each day for each of them. Yes, being in love with two different guys is bliss in my opinion. Miss Bachelorette, what are you really complaining about? :)

Drive there, sleep here, and start all over again...

Most of you know my husband and I work as Admission Counselors for Murray State University. We have the privilege of recruiting potential new students to attend one of the best universities in the South. Of course I'm bias when I say this, but if you come check us out, I think you will agree. But, what is also a privilege is also very stressful on the mind and the body. And Jordan and I have found this to be even more so, since we are away from each other and Shadow.

The whirlwind of hotel rooms, college fairs, schools visits, fast food drive thru's that is travel season has consumed our lives for the past month, and will continue for the next month or so. Jordan will be in Missouri, or I will be in Tennessee for weeks at a time, and little Shadow will be in Murray. Crazy.

I might start my day with a couple school visits then call the babysitter to check in on Shadow. Drive another 30 minutes to get to my next school while talking to my husband. Grab something to eat and drive to my college fair while talking to my mom (who has been staying with Shadow for the weeks both of us have been out of town, God bless her), then remind myself where I need to be tomorrow so I know which hotel I am staying at. Check in, call the hubby, check email, and try to get some sleep while convincing myself I don't hear Shadow crying because he isn't there. Then start all over again for the next day. Although I can't really say this because the next day's schedule is going to be nothing like what I mentioned above.

But, let me tell you, we are Troopers. Yes, being a married admission counselor with a small child is not for the faint of heart my friends. It's bittersweet. I'm thankful that I have a job and that I work for an institution that I truly believe in. But, being away from my family has been hard. Did I mention I'm taking a Grad class during all this..............?

Anyways, despite the craziness, I have come to appreciate my friends and family. They have offered help to us to get us through this travel season and it has meant a lot to have their support. I'm also reminded how much I love my family, and just how wonderful they truly are. So, I can totally see this as a positive thing. Recruit new Racers to a great university, and be reminded that I am very blessed. I'll take it.