I'm come up with a plan to improve our society as a whole. It starts with you. That's right, there is something you can do to improve our country. I imagine a safer, more pleasant world and it all starts with you.

Society has changed from the 60s TV sitcom way of life to the present way of life. Remember when neighbors knew each other? Now, it seems like most people drive home, open the garage door and then close the garage door before they even get out of the car, shutting themselves off from the rest of the world. I want to encourage you to get to know your neighbors. I mean, really get to know them. I am proud to say we not only know our neighbors, we care about them. There are several benefits to knowing your neighbors. First of all, you may actually become friends! It's also nice to be able to borrow things, such as a tall ladder or a cup of sugar. If you don't know your neighbor, I doubt they'll let you walk away with their prized drill. Finally, it is nice to know the neighbors will look after your house if you are gone, whether for the day or for a vacation. One day we left our garage door open on accident. Thankfully, a neighbor noticed it and closed it because she knew that was unusual for us. It is this way of life, this society of engaging those around us that will result in a better community. When did we become so self absorbed and afraid of society? If we break society down piece by piece, you'll arrive at individuals. If we learn to enjoy and care for one individual, then we can use those principals for the next level. Why not start with your neighbor? If we learn to enjoy and care about the people on our street, then next we'll learn to care for the people around the corner, at work, at the grocery store, etc. When we're out and about, we'll actually look at the cashier's face at the store. We'll chat with the person standing in line at the bank. If you see someone in need, you'll be more likely to help them instead of be afraid of them. If that person lived next door, wouldn't you make the effort? I realize some of this sounds idealistic and I know there are bad people out there looking to take advantage of you and I. However, the more of us "neighbors" band together, the fewer "bad seeds" there will be and the tougher it will be for them to succeed in spoiling society.

If you don't know your neighbors, then I encourage you to bake some brownies and knock on their door. Let's change our society from the roots. If we can't treat our neighbors well and make the neighborhood a safe, enjoyable place then how will we ever transform our cities, states, and ultimately the United States of America?

If you do know your neighbors, bake them brownies as a token of appreciation. Offer to watch their kids for a date night, to mow their yard, or to go for a walk around the block for a chat. Let me know how it all turns out.

Today I was able to get back in the water to scuba for the first time since I got certified. Turns out I was five weeks pregnant when I finished my certification...oops!

We went to a local pool today to brush up on a few skills. I didn't think I had done much, but I am already sore. My arms and legs ache, but it is such a good ache. A "I actually did something today" ache.

I am just waiting for the local lake temps to raise up to at least 60 degrees. Any guesses on when that will happen?

By the way, the picture above is of our dive boat in Jamaica.  That is where we took the  Discover Scuba course.

What happens when you bake brownies with applesauce instead of oil?

1. They don't rise much (i.e. they are flat).

2. They are sticky.

3. They have lots of holes in the top layer, much like a sponge.

4. They don't taste as delicious as your typical brownie.

5. You eat more than usual, just trying to analyze them.

6. You wish you'd make them with oil.

Elsie is transitioning from bedside sleeping to sleeping in her own room. Last night was her first night in the crib. Here is how it went:

6:30 pm: bath time

7:00: fussy baby, so I fed her.

7:20: I laid her in the crib, still awake. Crying begins. Mommy's heart breaks, but she holds firm, while desperately finding reassurance on the internet that it is okay to let her "cry it out". I watch her on the video monitor to make sure she is not crying because she has stuck an arm or leg through the slats! Occasionally we go in to pat her, rub her, sing to her, reassure her we are still around.

7:50. Baby falls asleep! Victory! Ok, that wasn't too bad. This will be nice having her go to bed before we do without having to hold her all night.

8:20 Baby wakes up crying. Repeat previous routine.

9:20 Baby still awake and fussing. Mommy and daddy can't bear it any longer. We pick her up. Baby is wide awake and ready to play. Smiling, talking. Hmmm. What to do? I let her entertain me until...

10:00 Fussiness returns. Mommy is tired. Baby back to her crib.

10:20 Baby and parents fall asleep...not sure who gave in first.

1:00 Baby wakes up crying. Ten minutes later mommy goes in for comfort measures. Baby's hands feel like icicles. Mommy feels guilty and picks up baby. Mommy takes baby to bed and nurses while exclaiming to Daddy that baby's room is too cold. Daddy feels the icicle hands and agrees. Mommy falls asleep with baby on her chest.

2:30 Mommy wakes up and realizes baby is still on her chest. Oops. Mommy puts baby in bedside sleeping arrangement due to frigid temps in baby's room.

5:00 Baby wakes up crying.

5:10 Baby falls asleep.

5:30 Mommy's alarm goes off.

I've tried to reduce the draft from her window and opened the vent all the way to help warm her room. I also swaddled her in a blanket so her hands stay covered tonight. Wish us luck as we try this again!

Back to the grindstone. Why do they call it that anyways?

We survived my first week back to work. It was bittersweet. It is good to be back at work because I feel productive and it is nice to be earning income again. It is also nice to see and catch up with coworkers and patients. It is sad because I miss being with Elsie all day long. The good news is that she is with a trusted friend not far from our home. Elsie and I are both adjusting to the change and hopefully every day it will get easier for both of us.

Thankfully, my employer has been gracious enough to allow me to leave an hour early every day in order to have one more nursing session and one less pumping session. This has been a HUGE blessing and made it easier to go back to work.

Here is a video we shot last night from the blizzard we had.