I'm not ready.

For any of you who are fans of The Office, you will know what a traumatic milestone tomorrow's show marks. Michael Scott leaves The Office. And frankly, I'm not ready.

The fact that Michael Scott's (Steve Carrell) exit doesn't also mean the end of The Office overall, adds another disturbing element I am not wanting to face. It forces me to ask myself this:

"Do I love The Office so much because of Steve Carrell? Or do I love The Office because of all the other amazing dynamics it has to offer?"

The answer is both. One without the other just doesn't make sense. I would NOT want the job to somehow find a replacement even remotely charismatic, awkward, innovative and hysterical as Steve Carrell.

And not to mention...if I continue watching The Office once he leaves, am I breaching a loyalty?

Maybe these questions seem silly to the average person but this is my ALL time favorite show. I know every show by heart and fall asleep to at least 2 episodes EVERY night.

So yeah...I'm not ready.

And just to pour salt in the wounds, NBC is flooding their commercials with tributes to Michael's last episode. It may or may not bring tiny tears to my eyes. No comment.

Okay, I admit it. I'm tired.

Hmmm. So I said it and now you know. I. AM. TIRED.

But before you make any assumptions or judgments, know this...that is NOT a complaint! Just something I should probably clarify in effort to be truly honest with my blog followers. I am tired yes, but have never had a more rewarding reason for being this exhausted. Ahhh, typical Kelley...I had to put a disclaimer in there.

Okay, let's try this again because I think by now it's pretty obvious just HOW much I LOVE being a mom!!

I am tired.

I dream of a full night's sleep. Sometimes I imagine going to a resort, taking a long steamy shower and then crawling into a comfy bed, falling asleep to the Office with a full night of uninterrupted sleep ahead of me. Sounds incredible, right? And after 3 months of VERY little sleep (literally never any longer than 4 hours at a time) and I won't even include the last month of pregnancy monstrosity they called "preparation" for no sleep....you would think I would do whatever it took to make just one night like that happen.

But life is different now. I wouldn't enjoy it in the same way. Don't get me wrong...I would enjoy it. But why is it more comforting knowing my baby is just down the hall and if she needs me, I can be there for her? Sleep or no sleep, now...that will always be my preference. Life is funny.

Although I do well on little sleep...by now incorporating a career back in the mix, it's hard. I walk into work on fumes but do my very best so no one can tell.

But maybe I am making it harder on myself by always needing the house spotless, bottles made, laundry done and groceries stocked. Oh well...it just feels better that way.

Maybe I will get some sleep one of these days...

Laughter really is the best medicine...

Usually when you are in a deep sleep at 5:45 in the morning, there would be nothing good about waking up to ANY noise or ANY sight.

But this past Thursday morning, I would completely disagree! With Avery snuggled in my arms, we both tried to catch a 45 minute catnap before the alarm went off.

The sun was peaking through the curtains, causing both of us to stir. While my reaction was a little more "grump", I glanced at Avery to see a HUGE smile on her face and then yes...she laughed. Not once but twice. A real-from-the-belly laugh. Happy tears flooded my eyes and I couldn't stop smiling....ALL DAY. And of course had to let everyone know! I mean, if a stranger stared at me too long, I found myself professing the good news! K, maybe that's not true but I at least thought about it! It was the best sound I have ever heard.

As you know from previous posts, I am in NO hurrying for Avery to grow up but milestones like these make the tick tock of life's clock, beautiful.

Couple-a Unexpected Maternity Leave Discoveries!

I am embarrassed to admit that I had a pit of guilt this afternoon when I heard Ellen announce that she has now done 1,000 episodes of her Ellen Show. Embarrassed not because I felt guilty but embarrassed that I am only just now becoming a fan.

I mean, of course I have known about her show for a very long time and my schedule didn't always accommodate her afternoon time slot. But this is the world of TiVo and DVR so really, I don't have much of an excuse. It took me having a baby and going on maternity leave (and my recent impatience with The Rachel Ray show) to ....yes, change the channel.

I now TiVo The Ellen Show everyday so that I am guaranteed at least one moment of laugh-out-loud-laughter a day! AND LAUGHING IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD!

She is so funny it's ridiculous. Personally, I think it's rare for a woman to be really, truly funny (sorry feminists)...but it's true. Ellen belongs with the boys. (Yes, I get what I am saying). My laughter just woke Avery up. Whole new level.




And on a verrrrry different note, I now LOVE bringing my lunch to work! Weird, I know. But I work in an area that doesn't have the "cheapest" lunch options and even still...I have lately become irritated on spending money in areas where there is sooo much Saving Power! Call it a 2011 Goal-Gone-Good but I am loving saving money.

Of course it's nice to have a lunch break every once in awhile but it took MATERNITY LEAVE for me to realize just how much money I was saving by making a sandwich at home instead of the nearest deli robbing me of $10 before 11am. The same goes for Starbucks. All in moderation my friends. Hmmmmm, "food and coffee money"...so that's where so much of it goe$. What took me sooo long??

Firehouse Fun!

I must say, I don't think a "dad" can have a cooler career than being a firefighter! What excitement to watch the big strong fireman slide down the poles, get dressed quickly in their heavy duty gear and race off in the roaring engine to go help those in need! And even cooler knowing that your dad is one of them!

It's still just as cool now as it was when I was a little girl! The different now is that I am more entertained by the firehouse banter...I swear, guys are just funny.

But after years and countless visits at the station, I always anticipated the day when my little child could see their Grandad at his cool "job"! And although Avery is still just a baby, today was her first visit to the firestation! Besides seeing her Grandad, I think the biggest highlight for Aves was rocking away in the rocking chair watching the big, bright television. Just wait till she can really appreciate all the firestation has to offer!

Thanks for letting us spend our Sunday morning with you Dad!!

What-a Weekend!

With Chris off to Vegas this weekend for Matt's 21st Birthday (sad to have missed it!) :(, we were short two hands in the Morrison household but capable nonetheless! Friday turned out to be pretty busy from a walk with Jordan and Brooks and then a photo shoot across town....we were pooped by 2pm! After a quick rest in the afternoon, Jordan brought Brooks over for the evening since they were in need of a last minute babysitter. Brooks and Aves were both perfect angels and slept the entire time! Wallace was a tad concerned we were already adding another baby to the bunch ;)

For some reason (possibly the combination of work, raising a baby and running a household) I hit a major wall on Saturday! I was beyond exhausted and needed some help! My mom came over almost all afternoon and watched Avery so I could try and get some much needed sleep! It was so sweet of her and such a huge help. Avery was all smiles the moment she heard Grammie Suzie's voice! I was still so behind on sleep that I went to bed at 7pm, right after Avery did...

I guess it's to be expected to hit "walls" every once in awhile but even still, there is not a second I don't mind all the energy it takes to make my household a happy one! In fact, it's so much fun.

Okay, folks...I'm back.

Let the blogging begin!

Enough with my sporadic blogging...its time for me to get consistent again! My maternity leave is now officially over but surprisingly, I am doing okay. I feel so blessed to have had SO much continuous quality time with my little girl and at this point, will be taking each day at a time, soaking up every moment as it happens! I LOVE Avery's nanny...she is simply wonderful and puts me at such ease while I am at work. It's nice to get back to work and see SO many friendly faces! My approach to not crying while at work?? I'm not sure. I just try not to.

She gets cuter every day and is making noises and smiles that melt my heart! She is already such a daddy's girl but we all knew that was ABSOLUTELY going to happen! The day after I wrote my last NO Sleeping Blog Entry, she has been sleeping sooo well! I am getting 5-7 hour stretches which is incredible! I will take it! It's amazing how a consistent sleep routine developed overnight. Although there have been a few off days, she continues to make progress!

If you want to continue reading my blog, I feel it's only fair I give you a true warning that as you can imagine, most blogs will be about my little Aves! I can't help myself. But of course, I will definitely include a couple other topics along the way.

So yes...let the blogging begin...again!