2 years, 10 months, 21 days
28 weeks, 6 days
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| Back in Orange County for a few days....and a quick swim at Laguna Beach. |
I've been working a lot (for me) recently. 2-3 days a week 10+ hours a day. I realize to the average "full-time" working adult, this must seem trivial. But to a Mama who has savored her "working" moments primarily in the home, it's exhausting. Throw into the mix that I work on CJ's days off typically and I think it's fair to say I've been missing my boys.
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| At Disneyland on "It's a Small World" - despite the look on his face in this picture, Colter loved it! |
I love that CJ gets a Dada-Colter day every once in awhile. I know he loves it to. And I know Colter loves it. What I love most? Family Days. Those special days when we can all cuddle up in bed in the morning and plan out our day - should we go to town? go for a hike? make brunch? head to Sedona? The sky is the limit so long as we are all together.
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| "Colter, what was your favorite part about Disneyland?" "Grandma and Grandpa" |
Alas, I know my time as a working parent will soon come to an end. Baby beats away in my right rib and I smile knowing that come December I'll be a full-time SAHM (stay at home Mom) once again. I've really always considered myself that, honestly. I am proud to say that I am a mother first and a nurse second. I am proud that my son has only spent one day of his life in a day care - and that I have the most awesome in-home babysitters a mom could ask for. I am proud that we have chosen this life over more money.
I'm not meaning to brag or toot my horn or whatever you may call it. This is my family - this is how we have chosen to make our family. I am proud of that. I would hope that any family - no matter their circumstances - would say the same exact thing.
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| We even got to see Uncle Dave for dinner one night! |
CJ is down at Phantom Ranch for a few nights. I admit I cried as he walked out the door yesterday morning to head down trail. Blame it on preggie hormones. Or perhaps blame it on the lack of Family Days. I just needed one more hug. Just one more kiss. Colter did too. A few Octobers back, Colter and I joined CJ down in the Canyon for an epic few days. I longed to go with him this time. Alas, the third trimester prevents me from such endeavors. I can picture it perfectly in my mind - the cottonwoods gently blowing along the creek and the sound of the Colorado River rushing under black bridge. I stood out under the stars last night and for a few moments I could almost make out the Canyon walls looming above, dark shadows cast from the light of the moon. Glorious.
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| Roaring Springs, October 2012 |
As I tucked Colter into bed last night and prepared to close up his "tent" (the sheet hanging over his bed for the past month or so), he looked up at me with the most perfectly, precious, scratched up face you ever did see and said, "I just wanna be with you, Mama." I just about died right then and there. I fought back the tears and the only thing I could think to do was sing the "Thumbkin" song one more time. He loves that song. I love helping his little fingers as they work so hard through the song. I love just being with him.
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| Hugs for Donald Duck |
This morning we ate homemade zucchini bread, watched Fraggle Rock and played cars. Then we took a much too long shower (giraffe, the race cars and helicopter joined us) together. I got dressed as he ran around Mr. Nakey Head for a bit. He took one look at me and said, "I wanna match with you, Mama." I mean, really, there is only so much cuteness a preggie mama can take! And then we took a selfie. Because in my generation, that's what you do when something of this magnitude happens. Then you write a blog.
There may be dishes in the sink, laundry to be folded and bathrooms to be cleaned. I may have to work 8 more days before the end of the month. Today, Colter, I just wanna be with you.
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| Matchy matchy! |
Fun Baby Facts: Baby is ~15 inches long and weighs 2.25 lbs! Baby always wakes up for bath time and story time with Big Brother. Colter informed me the other day that he is going to have a Baby Sister...
