The Woman and the Womb

It's my mom's birthday today! Happy birthday, Woman Who Gave Me Life!

My mom is pretty great. She's a runner (yes, you are), a Nordic-pole walker (and defender of the "sport" at family reunions), and the last time I heard, she was doing P90-X. I think she could definitely beat me up. But she wouldn't do that. She's too nice.

My mom is just drooling for the moment she can hold her first grandchild, and I can't wait to give her that chance. She was (is) a fantastic mother, and I can't wait to have her be little Sophie's grandma. I know that any success I have as a mother will be due in large part to her excellence as my mom.

Speaking of being a good mother, something I've been thinking about more and more is what to do after Sophie is born. I mean, not what to do on a daily basis or anything, although the thought of that is a little daunting at the moment. I'm talking about what to do for work.

From my past posts, you may have gathered that I have a sort of love-hate relationship with my current employment. On the one hand, I have great hours, good benefits, a relatively calm work environment, and am paid fairly for what I do.

On the other, my work day is riddled with pointless meetings, overly-explanatory emails, an excess of donuts, and long stretches of time that goes unused because there is too much bureaucracy involved in anything I do to allow me to be truly productive. It is not work that I feel a passion for, in short, but I know I am lucky to have it.

I've recently thought, "Self, why don't you try to write for money?" My mom suggested it, too, and Chris has brought it up as a realistic possibility, so I know it's not a purely crazy thought (because nothing is more valid than the support of two people who love you unconditionally...right?). It's just something that has been on my mind. And in fact, I've recently applied for a contract as a culture blogger for Slate.com, which would be an absolute dream in any life scenario, baby or no baby. If I could find a way to stay home and write, it would be killing two birds with one word processor. But realistically...what if I can't?

Meh, things have a way of working themselves out. I'm not losing sleep about it. I'm too busy losing sleep to back pain and thrice-nightly bathroom trips.
Hope you're well!
xo