Meds, Food Triumphs, The Bible, and a List of Likes

Valentine's Day cuddles with Dad

First off, I would like to say that the reintroduction of Zoloft was a success. I am on the tiniest dose available (25mg), and my anxiety levels are probably about 5x better. Steven says he has noticed a definite improvement, as well. I feel more capable to handle the challenges of motherhood and think that it was a good decision for both Q and myself.

Second off, I would like to say that it was an unadulterated pleasure to move a pot of food from the fridge only to discover three forgotten Lunchables peeking up at me from below the glass shelf. That pleasure was only slightly dulled by the fact that they tasted like corrugated cardboard. Other food-related triumphs: Making muffins from a mix (I added not only eggs, but water too!). Having a meatloaf and cookies delivered to me by my mother-in-law. Steven's discovery of how to make a delicious chai latte. And lastly, multiple attempts at sharing Liberté Mediterranean yogurt with Steven, only to polish off carton after carton on my own. Seriously, in heaven there are probably rivers of Liberté Mediterranean yogurt. The Mocha Yogurt River. The Hazelnut Yogurt River. And oh blessed day, the Lemon Yogurt River...

Speaking of heaven, after several years of not being able to bring myself to read the Bible, I have started again for Lent (did you know that you can also start something for Lent instead of giving up something?), and it has been pretty wonderful. I am doing a 40-day overview of the Bible, reading important parts of various chapters in chronological order. It's a pretty cool program, and I've started reading A Year of Biblical Womanhood, as well. The latter is written by a woman who decided to try and live like the Biblical model of womanhood for a year, such as covering her head, calling her husband master, and "cultivating a quiet and gentle spirit," rather than her usual rigamarole of yelling curse words at the screen during football games. I've found it very comforting in light of my own numerous shortcomings as a homemaker.

And finally, I try to tell Q often all the things I like about her:

I like your toes.
I like your chubby thighs.
I like your belly button.
I like your numerous arm rolls.
I like your hands that always have fuzz in between the fingers from your no-scratch mittens.
I like that they always smell like sour milk because you suck on them so much.
I like your neck rolls.
I like the cheese in your neck rolls.
I like the drool bubbles you blow with your mouth.
I like your button nose.
I like your dark blue eyes and long eyelashes.
I like the duck fluff on top of your head, bald spot in the back, and mullet on the lower back.
I like your smile.
I like your squeals of delight.
I like your piggy grunts.
I like the big pout you get when you're about to burst out crying.
I love everything about you,
and I love that you're my daughter.