I'm now officially 2 full months behind on my blog. I remember back in the day when I used to post once a week! Ha! How things have changed.
Now I have 3 kids, a full-time university job, a part-time teaching job, a house from the 80's that seems to demand more and more maintenance, 55 zillion errands and bills to pay, and this poor little blog that is just barely staying afloat.
But this blog is easily my favorite parenting keepsake. It's worth the work. A priceless memento of what are most likely the "best days of my life."
Did you know I print the blog? I do! Full-color pages, hard-cover, professionally bound. I've got quite the little library started. One day when my kids are grown and I hand the collection over to them, they will either think I'm a total nut-job, or a mom who truly loved her kids and worked hard to not forget a moment of it.
Anywho...
This post is dedicated to my last weeks of my LAST maternity leave.
It's hard to admit it, but sweet Rowan is probably my last baby.
It's not just that they're expensive and messy. It's also the realization that I have limited time and attention. And I want a deep connection with all of them. I want a personal fulfilling relationship with each child. And I'm not quite sure I could add another bowling pin to this juggling act.
But never say never... am I right?!?
I wanted to be "in the moment" for all my moments during this final newborn stage. But the constant realization that this was the "last time", that this was the end of this phase of life, put a little too much pressure on me. The constant need "to savor" was stressful. I felt like time was fleeting. Going way too fast. And it bummed me out more than it should have. I hate "lasts" and I hate "goodbyes." And this maternity leave felt like a long and final adieu. Parenting "chapter one" was coming to a close.
And it was all so much harder with the other kids running about. The 3 and 5-year old had no respect for the process of "savoring". I didn't the get the peaceful alone time with Rowan that I got with Kale and Sage. I suppose those first maternity leaves were false representations of motherhood. This last one was the real deal. Honest and raw. 12 weeks with 3 kids, 24-7.
But now that I'm back at work... I'd give just about anything to return for one more day on leave with my newborn.
But leave wasn't all sadness and stress. There were many pockets of happiness. Just think about this... Every picture represents a happy moment. I never took a picture when I was feeling overwhelmed or sad. I only took pictures when I was feeling joyful and in love.
Many good times were indeed had.
Rowan was such a fast grower. He was my biggest baby. And he blew through his newborn and 3-month outfits so quickly. I remember back in July, taking a week off work to do some baby nesting. And I washed all the teeny tiny newborn clothes I had. I boxed up the 3 month. I boxed up the 6 month. Thinking I had loads of time to get those out later.
Silly me. I busted into those boxes withing weeks of his arrival! He wore everything just once, then grew into the next size up.
Currently at 5 months of age, he is wearing 9 month clothing!
This little red striped outfit was one of my favorites. But if look below, you can see, I could barely zip it up. He wore this just twice. The first time it fit nicely. And the next time I worked hard to stuff his fat rolls into it - so I could see it just once more. It's so sad when you have to retire a baby outfit...
As Thanksgiving drew near, the boys and I started to feel festive. Holiday lights and decorations started to creep up from the basement.
I used a couple strands of lights to build a reading tent for them - in an effort to make books seem special and fun. It did not work.
The battle between screens and books goes on.
Screens are winning.... for now.
On Thanksgiving day our friends from the North Pole came back for their month-long visit.
Also back... the famous "Aunt Sue" breakfast casserole.
The official breakfast of the holidays!
Just like in years past, an assortment of appetizers were served throughout Thanksgiving day.
We watched the parade.
Drank mimosas.
And slowly began decorating for Christmas.
Aunt Alison and Uncle Sam joined us in the festivities.
Rowan wore his snazziest outfit for the occasion.
No better day to bust out the pantaloons and suspenders.
And then... dinner was served!
My first day back in the office was set for November 30th.
The day would sneak up on me fast....
But Christmas decorating, and some unseasonably warm and sunny weather, were great distractions from the looming return to work that was ahead...
All the good weather in late November meant that Matt could really put his heart and soul into exterior illumination. Matt was the designer and installer of the light display.
I just held the ladder. And Rowan was the winter hat model.
Pictures of the house lights will be featured in the next blog.
But spoiler alert.....we did get a Frosty!
A hot day put us in the mood for a pirate treasure hunt.
The boys followed a trail of gold to a hidden chest.
Outside it was summer.
Inside it was winter... magical Christmas winter.
December finally arrived. The kids were anxious to begin the advent calendar tradition. 24 days of surprise toys and candies.
And with that...the Christmas season had officially kicked off!
A month full of crafting, baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, and hosting were on the horizon.
