A Time for Transition

So I am 11 weeks into my 12 week maternity leave....you do the math.   Am I ready?  Yes and no.   Yes I do miss being tied to the global economic engine and having a reason to read the Wall Street Journal every day and yes I enjoy having my paycheck for our family!  On the flip side I am enjoying managing my household at a calmer more even pace, letting things go until tomorrow knowing there is time to accomplish an errand or task the next day and going to the grocery for 3 small trips a week vs 1 huge stockup trip each week. I have also cherished my time with Baby E getting to hug and kiss on her as much each day as I want....but lets face it, babies sleep a lot so I guess I am not needed with her every hour of every day.  

I have been down this road before and I know we will figure it out so here's to not worrying about tomorrow until it comes.

In the spirit of living for today I will share some of the joyous weekend we enjoyed here in SW Virginia. It's apple season, so we attempted to go apple picking.  Apparently it hasn't been a good year here for apples.  All these beautiful looking fruits have tiny little holes all over them.  Despite scouring many trees we physically picked only 4 good apples.  We filled our bags instead with "pre-picked" apples from a bin to make a pie, apple crisp and cooked apples. This kids really enjoyed the cooking, I was pleasantly suprised at their interest and attention span for the baking.  

We took the van off-road....this disturbed the kids.  Apparently they spend too much time on pavement!

Beautiful C in beautiful Botetourt County. She wanted to have her picnic in the car where it was more comfortable....oh boy!

I can't remember what he was doing but this is pretty funny....and typical B behavior.

We also enjoyed lots of backyard time this weekend, Ed and I got a partial date night Friday night(Baby E was in tow) and we enjoyed some good times with our neighbors this evening.  I am going to try and keep my mind in a spirit of Thanksgiving this week; thankful for what the time I have been given and thankful for the opportunity to live my life as a working mother of 3!  I'll try to keep you posted on how it goes....no promises :)  Now to work on my goal of being in bed by 10pm.....

A Summer Like None Other

For the working mothers out there I strongly recommend having a baby in the summer.  Maternity leave in July, August, September is much more fun than Oct, Dec, Jan and Feb.  I feel like I have been given a glimpse into a life that I don't typically experience.  

Although most weeks I have had the "big kids" in childcare of some form, the past week we have been 3 kids under 5 vs. mommy 1 on 1.  I was really enjoying myself the first 3 days but I seem to be running out of steam for breaking up fights and entertaining this crew with an infant in tow.  This long weekend and a slightly injured hubby has me looking forward to the official start of our school year and Baby E and I having some time just to ourselves again tomorrow.  

That being said, I have gotten to have a number of experiences with and without my kiddos I wouldn't have otherwise or would have packed into a quick Saturday along with grocery shopping, laundry, and other errands.  I have made memories with them that they will likely forget but I will cherish.

Pools, parks, rivers and bikes have been our favorites along with a super fun visit from our West Coast cousins.  We have taken so many trips to the pool that the kids are sick of it and prefer the library!!!! Some of our experiences aren't elaborate they are just moments in our home watching B and C be themselves making forts, pretending we are driving a fire engine, talking endlessly about birthday parties, backyard camping, holding B's hands as he settles for his nap, planning(perhaps not executing) more elaborate dinners than we typically enjoy, hanging out in the bathroom with B(I think we have finally nailed the potty use), watching the kids shriek with joy when their sister holds their finger and taking time to fix C's hair each morning.

  

I am not forgetting the precious moments I am having with Baby E; at 2 months she is smiling and cooing at us now which we all delight in.  It is just that these moments with the "big kids" are not ones I typically get to enjoy in such frequency and I am soaking up watching them enjoy and explore their outdoor world.  I have about 4 weeks before heading back to the rat race; I think I'll be emotionally ready when it comes but either way I am extremely grateful for more things than I can list here; healthy children, a roof over my head, a beautiful city to enjoy, this time with my children,  a wonderful husband, and the grace of God that will forgive me in what my earthly mind will see as my personal shortcomings in the months ahead. 

Happy Labor Day!