Dear Babygirl,

You have arrived. (!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And it’s about time, girlfriend.

Sunday, May 6th I stepped out of the shower around lunchtime and realized that your swimming pool had sprung a leak. You threw that water over the edge for several straight hours, until Daddy and I finally checked into the hospital late that afternoon.

More than 24 hours of natural labor, chemically induced labor, and pharmaceutically eased labor later and there you were, sweet and perfect and screaming.

Well, not so much on the screaming part. You decided to blaze your own unique trail into this world, Babygirl, and you put yourself through the ringer while you were at it. Your scream was more like a whimper. But it was the loveliest little whimper we had ever heard.

We laughed while you were whimpering because, after all, doing things your own way and stubbornly taking your own time? Sounds a little bit like someone we know.

Ahem.

I asked your Daddy twice in the first thirty seconds after you arrived if he was going to faint. The look on his face, well, let’s just say that the impact of seeing his Babygirl for the first time was a bit more forceful than he had anticipated.

It was heartbreakingly darling.

The past 8 days have been filled with so many firsts, I’m not even sure where to begin.

Your first snuggles with your grandparents. Your first nap with Mama.

Your first trip to the doctor, to Target, and – very, very important, this one was – your first trip to Barnes & Noble.

Your first screaming fit at 3am, your first diaper blowout and subsequent wardrobe change, your first “gas smile.”

(We think you might have a dimple, Babygirl. If you do, it might just send your Daddy over the edge.)

We’ve dressed you in your first outfit and showed you off to your first visitors and taken you to your first photo shoot.

Your first bottle, your first paci, your first hair bow, your first spit-up all over Mama’s clean shirt.

So many firsts, and it’s only been a week and a day.

So many more to come. So many, many more.

Love,
Mama

—

Addy Lane Sorensen
May 7th, 2012, 5:30pm
7 lbs. 7 oz., 20 inches long, and perfect in every way.

(Photos courtesy of only.young.once photography.)

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For more in the Dear Babygirl series: Letters to my Daughter

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Me: You should have called me! I would have been happy to help you.
Them: Oh, I thought about it, but I didn’t want to bother you. You’re so busy!
-
Them: You have a blog?
Me: Yup. I love to write.
Them: Wow…
Me: What?
Them: Well, I just don’t know how you can find time to do that without taking away from [insert whatever project we're discussing here].
-
Them: Hey Annie, what have you been up to lately? Crazy busy as always?
Me: Umm, well I’ve been up to a lot of things, but let me tell you about the coolest bird I saw on my bird feeder this morning!
Them: Huh?
-
Them: So I hear you have gotten into real estate.
Me: Yeah! We love it. We have a couple properties now.
Them: So you’re not building Vemma anymore?
-
Them: I don’t have time to read. When do you do it?
Me: Well, I enjoy reading the most in the mornings, right after breakfast.
Them: Ha! Yeah, well, that must be nice…

I participate in a conversation like this at least once a week with someone. They’re all similar and all center around the same thing: being busy.

It’s been one of the most surprising reactions from people during my past two+ years of working for myself.

What is it with everyone and ‘being busy?’

I have so many questions around this topic…

Why do people assume that I am so busy to accomplish even the littlest extra thing?
Why do they assume that I am so busy that I have to pick one project, or one business, over another?
Why do they assume that, if I am NOT busy, that I must be lazy? Or not accomplishing anything?

Why do we seem to reward and applaud those that have the busiest schedule?

I was reading a short, sweet, and enjoyable e-book this morning from Kim and Jason Kotecki of Adultitis.org, and it got me thinking about busy-ness.

Since when does being successful imply that you don’t have time to breathe or live or converse?

And by the way, I’m not saying that I am the model of success. But I have two successful, cash-flowing businesses and several strong hobbies and am able to have the time freedom to work at home and dedicate time and energy and focus to all of them. Where along the line did we equate such a situation with being too busy to breathe?

I eat breakfast on the porch and watch the birds and meet friends out for long lunches and spend at least an hour every evening doing practically nothing but talking with my husband.

I also manage our two rental investments, support and grow a network marketing business with over 6000 people, network and socialize online, spend at least 30 minutes writing, 30 minutes reading, 30 minutes on personal development, and keep tabs on the dishes and the laundry and the dog and all the other duties that go along with managing a household. Often there is time for a walk or a run outside, or more reading, or chats with my Mom on the phone, or organizing of the junk drawer in the kitchen. Every, single day.

Since when does accomplishing such things in a day leave you without one minute to calmly answer a question via phone call? Or text your college roommate on her birthday? Or pause on the street corner to listen to that kind man that sometimes stands there and plays the violin? Or grab the scissors, walk to the back of the yard, and pick a couple roses? Or get in your car, order a mocha, and sit on the bench outside the coffee shop sipping it for a couple minutes while staring at the clouds?

And when did having the ability in ones life to appreciate and participate in such things imply that you were NOT successful?

Or, worse, that you were lazy?

There are many broke, unhappy people who are so busy living their lives that they’re not living their lives.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a full schedule. And with Babygirl S expected any minute, it will only be more full in the weeks to come. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t take – that I don’t prioritize – the time to live my life.

I would argue that success means that you are productive and efficient, focused, and well-balanced. Not that you are necessarily busy.

Busy is a state of mind. Too Busy is an opinion. Don’t you think?

—

Food for thought this Friday afternoon. Having a full and well-rounded schedule isn’t an excuse for not living.

You are NOT too busy to smell those roses. :)

Hugs,
AS

—

Dear Babygirl,

You’re late.

I’m trying not to obsess over it. Your lateness. I’m trying really, really hard.

But everyone else is having their babies and darnit why won’t you come out and play!

My birthday is in April. Your Daddy’s birthday is in April. Your birthday…will not be in April.

You are gonna be a May baby, which is weird to me, because for almost 10 months now we have been saying that you will arrive around April 28th. The end of April. I’m due in April! April April April.

We have been walking every day, the three of us. A few blocks in and you hunker way down, making my belly feel suddenly twice the weight.

Your lateness has also brought out a whole other side to my swollen feet. They are now cramped swollen feet. Something about all the water makes them feel perpetually cramped, to the point that I limp around the house like I’m injured and groan when I walk down the stairs. They throb when I prop them up on the ottoman and throb when I walk and throb when I stand still. My left one is worse, so when I get up from the couch it flings off to the side so I can put at least a portion of my weight over my big toe, and the side-flung foot and an additional foot pain grunt is added to the previously existing getting-up-from-the-couch grunt.

We’re an attractive pair right now, you and I. And by attractive I mean we look and sound horrendous.

My cheeks are getting puffier by the day, my eyes too, and your lateness simply means that I’m still going up in numbers on the scale as the days and weeks roll by, and not yet down.

You’re late, girlfriend. Have I mentioned that?

Your friends and family have suggested all manner of methods to encourage you to vacate the property. Everything from types of foods to types of movies to certain things with Daddy that there is no way I’m going to mention, let alone try in my current state.

We were so perfectly prepared and organized a couple weeks ago, in case you decided to make an early arrival. But then you didn’t, and we got several more things accomplished and taken care of for your on-time arrival. But then you didn’t arrive on-time either, so now we spend a few moments every morning over our bowls of breakfast oatmeal brainstorming several projects we can try to accomplish that day, in addition to our everyday work. Every day we do this, and every night we think, thank goodness we came up with enough things today, because SURELY we won’t have to do this again tomorrow. And then we wake up and it’s tomorrow and our to-do list comes out again.

We’re too organized for our own good, Babygirl. That’s what I’m saying.

You’re late. I’m trying to be patient. I’m trying not to obsess over it. I’m trying really, really hard.

I want to touch your little fingers and sniff your little head and snuggle you until the cows come home, and instead I’m working on blog posts and mortgage documents and oh hey why don’t I give this new recipe for whole wheat banana bread a try.

I like banana bread, Babygirl, but I think I will like your little fingers a bit more.

Come out and play soon?

Love,
Mama

—

For more in the Dear Babygirl series: Letters to my Unborn Daughter

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Hehee!

So cute.

I love books and I cannot lie,
AS

—

(Thanks for this image to the Burning Through Pages organization, a non-profit that promotes children’s literacy out of the Denver, CO area. Neat!)

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I don’t like to write about these types of things very often, but this one is too good to pass up.

Are you familiar with Adam Baker of ManVsDebt.com?
Or Karol Gajda of Gajda.com?

Or their joint project, a massive digital information product sale that only comes around once or twice a year, Only72.com?

Well, make sure you are. And make sure you do it today!

Here’s why taking a peek at their site today might be a good idea:

The quick gist of it is this: We run massive digital information product niche sales 2-3 times per year for just 72 hours at a time.

Only72 officially launched on Cyber Monday 2010 with a bang. The response was overwhelming, and besides having a successful sale, we raised over $30k for Charity:Water. Sale #2 in June 2011 resulted in another successful sale and we raised over $10k for The Kidney Foundation. And with our third sale on Cyber Monday 2011 we donated to the Women of the Americas Sustainability Initiative!

All told we’re lucky enough to call over 3,500 fine-looking, intelligent, men & woman our customers and we’re proud to state that we’ve raised over $45k for charity.

Our next sale, Only72 Presents The $100 Startup, will take place April 30, 2012.

Their next sale starts April 30th. Today!

Personal and business development…huge discounts…charity…they’ve got my attention. Let’s keep readin’:

We’re excited to team up with Chris Guillebeau to coordinate what we’re calling “The $100 Startup” package.

The $100 Startup is Chris’ new amazing book, which we are shipping anywhere in the world (at no additional charge!) with every package this time (the first time we’ve had a physical product as part of our sales).

In the book, Chris makes an even more brilliant case, including dozens of examples, of why your world-changing idea doesn’t need thousands of dollars to get started.

We’ve assembled training from a wide variety of bloggers, authors, teachers, and trainers on a diverse set of business topics.

This new package focuses on:
-Creating, designing, and successfully building a blog that actually matters to people.
-Identifying your passion (and then building a career around it).
-Becoming a freelancer (or improving your writing).
-Building confidence, balancing work and life, and facing fear.
-How to sell (ethically) in a way that actually works (one of my favorite courses).
-How to improve and increase ad income (if you run a website with advertising).
-How to structure your technology, productivity, and small business systems.
-How to publish a book and how to get paid to create art professionally.

As you can see, we really tried to diversify the different courses and training in this package – so that it can benefit almost anyone who wants to get started online.

The newly released book $100 Startup is on my wish list. That alone makes me excited about this sale.

The package of materials that are available are perfect for just about anyone who wants to make a side income or a serious business out of anything online. Writers, designers, bloggers, marketers, you name it.

However, if that’s not you? If you’re not looking for any additional money on the side, if you’re not looking to build a business, if you’re not looking for personal development and business growth? Then these materials aren’t for you.

Please don’t spend your hard-earned pennies, mmkay?

Here is how Only72.com works:

You get $1,000 in courses for just $100 (one-time payment).

We’ll also ship a hardcover copy of Chris’ new book anywhere in the world to you.

We can only do this big of a discount (90% off) for a few days. The sale lasts 72 hours.

Once the sale is over, it’s over for good. We do one or two a year max – and never with the same training.

It’s a simple idea that helps a lot of people.

And finally:

If you’re in the market for training to help you start or ramp up your business or income from creative sources, I firmly believe this is the best offer of the year (for an affordable price).

If you aren’t starting or running a business… Or don’t have interest in leveraging your creative talents to produce side income… then don’t be silly and buy this package.

At the end of the day, if you download the package – and never actually apply the training? You help no one.

It doesn’t benefit me long-term. It certainly doesn’t benefit you.

So if you take advantage of the hard work we did to put together such an amazing package – you have to promise me you’ll actually study, use, and then TAKE ACTION on the content involved.

If you can pinky-swear me you’ll do that, check out the full list of products included here.

Personally, I’m excited about the parts of the package that will teach me a bit more about freelancing and book publishing. Because, you know, I have those writing and reading geek tendencies. Hubz is looking forward to the passion/career materials.

Can’t wait.

Check out Only72.com, friendlies. You’ll be glad you did. The clock is ticking!

—

Cheers, Baker and Karol. This is an impressive offer. Hope it helps a lot of people!
AS

—

He’s my strapping, handyman, marathon-running, American Pickers-watching, Pretzel M&M-loving hubby.
The guy who surprises his 13-month pregnant wife with a designer diaper bag one day and then is elbow deep in dirty water replacing the inner workings of our continuously running toilet the next.

He is the master of our puppy dog’s domain.

And he vacuums! Men look particularly darling vacuuming brand new rose-colored carpet. Ladies, take note.

He’s my youngest-of-four-children, goofy, ornery, attention-grabbing hubby. A Type-A lawn-mowing perfectionist, the pickiest book reader I’ve ever met, and a spot-on fried egg flipper.

Hey, Hubz, I think I kinda like ya.

Happy birthday!

Love,
Your Girlfriend

—

P.S. Today is the 30th. Hubz’ birthday was the 27th. I thought I hit Publish last week when I really hit Save Draft. So it didn’t publish. It just saved. Because that’s what happens when you hit Save instead of Publish. Harumph.

Happy birthday three days ago, Hubz!

—

The lovely folks at the Half Price Book Store published an even lovelier list on their blog the other day: 40 Books Every Child Should Read.

The books on this list are So Fun. Check ‘em out:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Love.

Animalia! Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs! Had completely forgotten about those two.

Oh my. Corduroy.

Such a great list! Don’t you think?

I love how the majority of them are classic and well-known like Green Eggs and Ham and James and the Giant Peach and Where the Wild Things Are and the books by Shel Silverstein.

But I also love the couple titles that churned up childhood memories, those that I might have otherwise completely forgotten about. Titles like Animalia that make me think of the librarian at the school library and how she would add you to the waiting list for that book but only with a sigh, because it was the “longest waiting list out of all the books we’ve ever had.” Or The Phantom Tollbooth, which I’m fairly sure I read in elementary school, but I can’t quite recall when or what it was about. And that makes me want to pick it up and read it again.

Amongst the classics and the memory-stirrers there are also a few I’m not at all familiar with like The Stinky Cheese Man or Bear Snores On or The Secret of the Old Clock. A fun list to explore, that’s for sure.

Thanks for that, HPBooks!

Here is their full post about the list: 40 Books Every Child Should Read

Cheers to Our Littlest Book Geeks,
AS

—

Dear Babygirl,

I was thinking about today. This day. And I wrote a few things about it, and it kind of turned into a letter at the end. Sorta kinda. A letter to you.

It’s sorta kinda a letter and sorta kinda a poem and sorta kinda just a random piece of writing that my brain threw up and pasted on this page.

I hope you like it.

Love,
Mama

—

This so very normal day.

This day where we eat breakfast together and then he leaves and a to-do list is created and emails are filtered out and whoops the dog hasn’t yet received her meal and the day begins.

This day, with reading and following-up and confirmation phone calls and arranging. A day to warm up a leftover sandwich for lunch and afterwards, she walks right up, sniffing, nose to nose. For five seconds she enjoys the leftover molecules from the strip of bacon the sandwich included and mmm I soak in the delicious scent of Dog Nose.

Damn do I love that smell.

Today. This very normal day, with laundry and dishes and business and projects and a sigh or two and a smile or three in between. This very normal day, with open windows and barking at the mailman and tweets and highlighters and text messages.

This day, crossing off items on my list and thinking how much I love crossing off items on my list and laughing at myself for adding two things I just accomplished that were not on the list so that I could then cross them off the list. This day of setting the pork chops out on the counter to thaw before dinner, of dialing into the conference call, of contacting that new prospect, of swearing over the toilet that won’t stop running and the annoyance at having to walk up the stairs to use the other one twenty minutes after I finish each glass of water.

A so very normal day. Like so many of the others. Appreciating and moving things forward and making progress and planning. Laughing and dreaming and enjoying. Living. And loving.

Today. This day.
Normal.

I can’t help but think. Will it be my last normal day? My last Now Normal day?

After all, you are arriving soon. Very soon. Any day any moment soon. And then my so very normal days will be totally different so very normal days.

Which, I have a feeling, won’t be normal at all.

—

For more in the Dear Babygirl series: Letters to my Unborn Daughter

—

Here are a few things my notebook, unedited, has had to say the past month:

3-23-12
[Encourage + Inspire]
How can I do more of both?

3-23-12, later, in car to Iowa!
Blog Post Idea:
W/ rental props, it is NOT about finding one reason to purchase the home, it’s identifying one reason NOT to buy the home.
If you’re in need of just one reason to buy it, there are many reasons not to, therefore you’re letting emotion get in the way.
Business decisions, when done well, are not made on emotions. They’re made on facts.
Don’t confuse the two.

3-26-12, Monday, 8:28am
I miss Des Moines already.

3-26-12, later
Prego Update:
bp = perfect
babygirl heartbeat = perfect
weight gain = not so perfect
Ooof.

3-27-12
Today was one of those mornings where the air was “orange” when the sun was coming up.
Love it when that happens.

3-30-12, Fri
Weekend challenge from Darren Hardy: “What area, person, or circumstance in your life do you struggle with the most? Start journaling all the aspects of THAT situation you are *grateful* for. Keep a record of everything that reinforces and expands your gratitude in that area.”

4-4-12
Big Dr appt today!
Nursery is totally ready – bring on its human occupant.

4-10-12, 9:26pm
Acid reflux…UGH.

4-11-12, 11:21am
*Birthday!!**
:)

Tweet from Jamie:
“For the bday girl…’The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ -Eleanor Roosevelt”

4-16-12
“Someone who falls and gets back up is stronger than someone who never fell.”
- Jim Kwik

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
- Sir Charlie Chaplin

4-17-12
Blog Post Idea: Banning the phrase “Passive Income”
- passive implies no work…ugh.

4-18-12, 10:07pm
Took a long walk w/ N tonight.
Here’s hopin.

Also, we were approached today about privately investing in a project of a couple good friends. Strongly considering it. Stay tuned.

4-19-12, 7:52am
Another morning to wake up and say, “Well, I’m not in labor. I guess I’ll get some work done!”

“A life filled with firsts is a well lived life.” – Art Jonak

4-23-12, 8:55am
Another day. No labor.

No sleep either last night. Well, a little sleep technically, but nothing worth writing about.
N asks every time I get up to pee, “Are you ok? Everything ok?!” and I’m all, “Yes, just another bathroom visit, GO BACK TO SLEEP.” 4-5 visits per night make for quite a bit of repeated conversations.

Everything is so wrapped up. Ready. Waiting. Feel in limbo. It’s 9am and I’ve already completed more than half of the “projects” I came up with to keep myself busy and productive today and my mind off of things. Ruh roh.

This notebook stuff is so embarrassing.

Off to go hide in a corner,
AS

—

I recently celebrated birthday number thirty-one. How to honor that in a book-geekery appropriate way? Thirty-one reviews for thirty-one years, of course. Because…why not?

Here we go, in no particular order. Enjoy!

—

Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way, by Richard Branson
Beyond fascinating. Damn does he work hard. How do I raise my kids to have his mindset?

The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
Lost sleep, had to keep reading. Quick, addictive reads.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
Interesting at first. Too long, lost my attention and my belief.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
Didn’t think I liked it while reading. Upon reflection, very moved by the personal message. Need to read it again.

Vegabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel, by Rolf Potts
Very much a “guide,” was just generally interesting for someone not planning to literally vegabond.

Dark World: Into the Shadows with the Lead Investigator of The Ghost Adventures Crew, by Zak Bagans
Corny. Didn’t include anything the author doesn’t tweet about or share during his show.

Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born, by Tina Cassidy
Disgusted me. Wish I hadn’t read it.

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, by Todd Burpo
Easy, enjoyable, believable, smile-inducing, moving read.

Night, by Elie Wiesel
Couldn’t wait to be done with it, but considering it’s historical significance, glad I read it.

One Day, by David Nicholls
OMG the ending. Wish it was fluffier, didn’t anticipate it being as deep and serious as it was.

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun, by Gretchen Rubin
Realistic transformation, a bit too detailed of an account of it, but a good read.

The Book of Awesome, by Neil Pasricha
Laughed out loud repeatedly. Upped my appreciation and gratitude for the daily wonders around me. Recommend it all.the.time.

Life As We Knew It, by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Good character development, creative plot, couldn’t put it down.

The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman
Thought it would be an interesting, light, geeky read. Instead, it was a textbook with overbearing science. Didn’t like it.

Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity, by Hugh MacLeod
Ignited my creativity literally while reading it. Had to keep stopping to write ideas down. Huge thumbs up.

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
A bestseller for a reason.

It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, by Lance Armstrong
No question why he had the success he did; hard work. Decent writing, enjoyable, inspiring read.

Poke the Box, by Seth Godin
Inspiring. Fabulous three-hour read. Recommend it regularly. Think about its message regularly.

Paradise General: Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq, by Dr. Dave Hnida
Well written, fascinating account. Thought it would gross me out. Didn’t. Surprised to like it as much as I did.

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not, by Robert Kiyosaki
Changed my outlook on money working for me, versus me working for money. Changed my life.

Beach Money: Creating Your Dream Life Through Network Marketing, by Jordan Adler
Ugh. Horrendously written. Generic advice. Very stereotypical network marketing. Upsetting.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland, by Jim DeFede
Moving, a bit repetitive, but a fascinating account. Made me wonder what other butterfly effects went on that day in different parts of the world.

Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life, by Neil Strauss
Hilarious. Shocking. Eye-opening. You’ll finish it one notch more liberal than you were when you started and thinking Strauss is a badass.

Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling
Huge lesson: You never know what genre of books you’ll enjoy until you pick one up and try it out. Nothing will ever compare.

American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld
Beautifully written, moving novel. Relationship-filled. Fascinating supposed connections to real-life icons.

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave
How come I rarely like books that win big awards? Thought it was weird and disturbing.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner
Fascinating, as intended. But not surprising.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall
Astonishing! Changed my outlook completely on the sport and my inclusion in it. Two years later and I still think about this book regularly.

The Shack, by William P Young
Interesting point of view. Keep an open mind and let it sink in. It can’t hurt. Also, moving.

Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur, by Pamela Slim
Very detailed, should have read it before I escaped from my cubicle nation. Wasn’t too useful after the fact.

1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina, by Chris Rose
Emotional series of columns from a NOLA journalist. A shocking read, in a I’m-so-glad-I-now-know-this type of way. Couldn’t put it down.

—

Phew! That was fun.

What’ve you been reading lately? Any one-liner reviews you’d like to share?

Dreaming about books in one-line summaries,
AS

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