they came

in masses...lots and lots of them! Every 45 minutes, new ones. Eager faces, new clothes and fresh smiles. Honestly, it was a great day. I think it's going to be a fun year with fun students.

It was so busy that before I knew it, it was after lunch and Grandma had emailed saying that she checked on Michael and he was getting ready for his afternoon nap! I think he had a pretty good day. It was better today (for me). I think it was because I did not have time to breathe, much less think about how I wasn't with him. Of course, I missed him and thought about him, but yes, it was better.

We had to take a first day of school picture....


So is this a sign he's getting too big for the swing??? I thought he was going to flip the thing over today...

fohawk boy

our saturday

Michael was so excited to have Juice, Pa & Uncle Bruce come to see him yesterday.



Michael had a party for Cy to go to last night. This is our attempt to get family photos...

it's going to get better...

Finally! It's Friday and I get to spend two whole days with Michael! YEA!! Oh my goodness this week was hard. I did ok Monday morning. Just a few tears on the way to school, but then I came home for lunch. Oh it was wonderful to see him again! I had to go back. I lost it after lunch. Oh my goodness, lost it. I was so ready for 4:00. Tuesday-Thursday was better. Then today, he cried when I left...yeah, I lost it again. Geez. It'll get better...for the both of us. It's going to take me time to get used to leaving him and it's going to take him time to adjust to me not being here. Anna is wonderful. She is super good with him. Michael smiles when she walks in the door, so that makes me feel good. I am pathetic because I count the hours I'm not with him and then count the few hours I do have with him. I thought I was getting the flu on Monday, but then figured out that I've just made myself sick. It's going to get better!

This is by far one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I can't explain it. It sucks...that's all there is to it. I feel guilty, sad, like he thinks I've abandoned him, selfish, mad and even more sad. It's going to get better.

It's going to get better...that's what everyone keeps telling me.

in 5 1/2 months...

I've learned:
-to value any sleep I can get
-the true meaning of unconditional love
-true happiness
-the pure joy of watching your child discover new things
-patience
-how to have a conversation with a baby
-how to get myself ready fast and in phases
-not every child is the same
-it's ok not to take naps in beds...sometimes they are better in the swing
-those sweet smiles and giggles are the most precious things in the world!
-we should have bought stock in Shutterfly
-it's ok to take 100 pictures a day...it's digital!
-I can do many things one handed
-everything requires batteries, makes noise and lights up
-to get things done while he's sleeping...or sleep while he's sleeping
-family is the most important thing (something I already knew)
-the definition of over-protective mother...yeah, I am.
-flying with babies gets you in the smaller lines
-no one can do it like me...and that's ok
-to appreciate my parents (and grandparents) more than ever

In 5 1/2 months, I've learned a lot of things...many of which I did not mention. But most of all, I've learned that I love that boy more than he will even know and that tomorrow is going to be one of the most hardest days of my life. Tomorrow marks the end of my maternity leave. Yes, I got 5 1/2 months with my baby. Yes, it has been the most beautiful and fun 5 1/2 months ever. Tomorrow I start working again. Tomorrow I will miss that boy more than anything in this whole world.