Back to work

Tomorrow I go back to work. The holiday break is over. I know, boo hoo, right? I've had a longer break than anyone I know--one of the perks of teaching at a university. So I'm sitting here with a glass of wine (one of my first in many months) relecting on the time off and the busy months ahead.

Things I will miss about the time off, in no particular order:
--waking up at 7 with the kids instead of 5:45 or 6 to get myself ready for work

--taking our time at breakfast

--being able to go to the mall on a weekday morning, when it's relatively quiet

--enjoying the sunshine coming into my south-facing living room window in the early afternoon

--spending time as a family on a weekday running errands or going to a movie

What I look forward to in going back to work:
--seeing students and colleagues again

--teaching

--feeling more productive during my day (at least when I finish a task at work it doesn't often reappear in a few hours, like cleaning up the kitchen or doing a load of laundry)

What I'm dreading:
--the morning rush of feeding kids, nagging the boys to "Brush your teeth. Put on your shoes. Let the dog out." Like 14 times.

--Getting three kids bundled for winter weather and buckling bulky coats into carseats. I HATE that part of winter!

--Picking up all three kids at three different places during rush hour traffic in slippery conditions when everyone is tired, hungry, whining, and they all have 17 million things to say in the car while I'm trying to concentrate on getting us home safely without ignoring them after not seeing them all day. Seriously, I LOATHE THIS TIME OF DAY. It's a constant personal struggle for me to maintain patience and stamina between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Once Kris finishes basketball season this will get much easier, because he'll be able to pick up one or two of the children.

--Getting home at 5:30 and having to cook (or at least throw together a meal) immediately. I hate doing that, too, especially if the kids all hang out in the kitchen begging for snacks while I'm trying to get dinner ready.

So, if any of you moms have any suggestions or advice on how to make the witching hour easier, I'm all ears. Kind of a downer way to end a post. I guess I need another glass of wine.

Happy Birthday, Hope!

Our sweet Hope Caroline turned 2 years old today. It's unbelieveable that it's already been two years since our little baby girl was born. She is an angel, truly. Sweet, good-natured, smiley, tolerant of her brothers, and pretty much just a wonderful child. May this be your best year yet, Hope. We love you.

Grant

My firstborn baby, Grant, turned 8 years old on Christmas Day. I can't believe he's that old already. It seems like just yesterday he was toddling around at my feet, wanting me to play with him. Thankfully, Grant still likes to play with me--just yeseterday we put together a lego helicopter set he got for Christmas.

Grant is smart, funny, and athletic. He is rather tenderhearted, and his feelings can be hurt easily. He tries hard to get along with Ross (well, most of the time), and he adores Hope. Grant is a huge help to me and has done more than his share of fetching diapers, helping Ross get dressed, keeping an eye on Hope, and feeding Lola and letting her out. Grant loves joke books, playing Guitar Hero, and he's very affectionate. I must confess, I love that he still asks to go to sleep in our bed and if I lie down with him, he holds my hand as he falls asleep. Today, Grant lost his front tooth! He's as handsome as ever.

Happy Birthday, Grant. We love you.

Two Posts, same day, #2

Back to regularly scheduled programming! Here is a glimpse of our Christmas, 2009 edition:


Mom and Grant on our Birthday











Grandpa Wayne and his Little Hope


Playing in the blizzard snow!

Two Posts, same day, #1

I've been away from my computer for several days, and I just read all your comments on my last post. Thank you--sincerely--for all your encouragement (and enthusiasm!). It means so much to me. So, a quick update:

I'm feeling better each day--walking a little straighter, in a lot less pain (although my chest is still sore, my tummy isn't), and inching my way back up to my regular energy level. We've had the stomach flu floating through our house again, so that's what's been taking up a lot of time and energy here, but everyone seems back on track now. I have to wear this girdle thing 24/7 for 4 weeks (except when I shower or wash it): it goes from right underneath my breasts down to my knees, with hooks and eyes and zippers up each side, and a big hole in the "down there area" for going potty. TMI, probably, but some of you have asked. It helps keep everything compressed and supported during healing, and I've noticed that I feel better with it on because it supports my back so well. Also have to wear compression stockings for 4 weeks, too. Jeez, can you imagine how hot you'd feel if you did this in the summer? I'm so glad I'm doing it in the dead of winter since we're all layered up to stay warm anyway. Per the doctor's orders, I am still sleeping in our recliner with a pillow under my knees. Hopefully I'll get the go ahead to sleep back in bed with my sweetie and my pillow very soon! Have a checkup in Bismarck tomorrow, so if there is any new interesting info, I'll post it after.

Merry Christmas Makeover

Merry Christmas, blogger friends! I miss you. The snowstorm is coming and our family is hunkering down for a movie night. We've just started A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany. It seems we've watched all the Christmas movies already (well, at least the ones the boys want to watch).

Most of the gifts are wrapped and all the Christmas cards are mailed. I didn't do any baking this year because I have another project in the works this holiday season.

It's been really hard not to say anything to all of you, so I've decided to just put it out there: I had a "Mommy Makeover" last Thursday. Translation: tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I have about 3 weeks of recovery ahead of me--just enough time to be back in the game before the next semester starts. I've been thinking about doing this for about 2 years now, and I finally decided in August to take the plunge. Kris has been amazingly supportive, and I couldn't have done it without my mom. While Kris held down the household and cared for the children, my mom traveled with me (I went with a wonderful female surgeon in Bismarck), was my 'caregiver' post-sugery, and pampered me at their house for the weekend until I felt strong enough to manage the stairs and the children here at home. Both procedures went very smoothly, and although I am in some pain, it is manageable because the Kris and the kids are so great about letting me rest when I need to (the kids know about the tummy but we haven't told them about the other).

I do feel guilty for messing with everyone's holiday, but on the other hand, it's a pretty awesome 37th birthday present to myself, and we are still able to celebrate with both families.

There. Now you all know why I haven't blogged in a while, and I feel better getting it off my newly-endowed chest! Hehehe!

Not much time to post

Friends, there hasn't been a second to write a new post lately. Not that there's lots to say--I've been busy preparing for Christmas by buying gifts, getting the letter written, envelopes stuffed, and mailed, and scrambling to wrap up the semester. God bless Kris for being the family gift-wrapper. He's so much faster at it than I am! We sat downstairs last week and wrapped while watching Revenge of the Nerds! THAT took me back. too.funny.

I may not be blogging for a while. I'm heading into a really booked few weeks, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Merry Christmas to all!