Empowered

Life has been chaotic these days.  Dave is doing a lot of networking and schmooze events, I'm trying to connect with my new coworkers by going to softball games and lunches, Carina is crawling and into everything, Samantha is becoming more imaginative and creative, I've had a few work trips, I'm still breastfeeding and Carina usually does not sleep through the night.

All that and I have to tell you that I can't remember the last time I felt so happy.  Don't get me wrong, I'm tired and at times it definitely feels like a wild juggling act.  But what a feeling to be able to (for the most part) keep all the balls in the air.  My job is stimulating and I'm excited about what I'm doing and what the company is starting.  I still feel like I'm really involved with the girls and thanks to my mom and my mother in law, I feel like they are always in the best of hands.

I've talked before about prioritizing life and as a parent how difficult that can be.  However, lately I have this sneaking suspicion that it may be possible to have it all. Could that be?  I may not exercise as much as I want to, read every book club book or keep in touch with as many friends as I'd like, but I feel like both Dave and I are accomplishing a lot at home and at work and we are kicking ass doing it.

On the Move

I've decided any attempts NOT to compare the girls is futile.  I'll do my best to avoid saying that one is better or worse but our two girls are very different.  Take crawling for example. I searched "crawling" on the blog to find that Samantha was crawling May 20, 2009, that meant she was over 10 months before she was mobile.  Carina Jean on the other hand is officially on the move now at 7 months.  You can see her crawling in the video below which was taken earlier this week and already she has improved.  Now, I leave the room for a minute and return to find her across the room and under her bouncy chair or the table, always somewhere precarious.  When I go to feed her in the middle of the night, she is sitting up in her crib, seeming confused how to get back down.  You may remember that we really did not baby proof the house with Samantha, she just wasn't ever "into things" but not Carina, she grabs at everything and wants everything she shouldn't have.     Looks like she is going to be quite mischiveous but she gets away with it with that endearing smile.

Culture of Giving

Last night, Dave and I attended the 20th Anniversary party for The Boulder Community Foundation.  Dave is on the Board of Trustees of this organization and works on the legal committee for the foundation as well.  I was so impressed with the work they are doing in Boulder County and am proud of Dave for his commitment and the time he gives.

While Boulder is an affluent community and one of the most educated per capita in the nation, the amount of community giving is far below the national average.  Many assume that people in Boulder County don't need help, resources or donations however, there are significantly more people living in poverty in our County than ten years ago.   The Community Foundation is committed to intimately understanding the greatest needs in our community and then connecting the right resources to address those needs.

I was particularly excited to hear about the work they are doing bridging the achievement gap, creating leaders in the community, working on early childhood education and creating a culture of giving in Boulder.  They have also just released an insightful Trends Report on key indicators that relate to the quality of our life in our community that I encourage you to read.

I'm very lucky to be married to a man who values giving and improving our community and I'm grateful that we are on the same page on teaching our children to do the same.