Indianapolis started school almost a month ago, but for the Frema-Useless Clutter household, we are just now closing our chapter on the season that is summer.
Nathan started his parents' day out program yesterday. He was so excited about it that he ran into the classroom ("Terrific Twos!") before Luke and I could hug him good-bye. As it should be, even if it did stab my heart a little.
Kara would have started along with him in the Thriving Threes and Fours group as was planned earlier in the spring except that Luke and I decided to mix things up at the last minute in light of my recent pay increase and upgraded her registration to preschool. Compared to others, her classroom time seems relatively light at just two afternoons a week, but for us it is the perfect amount of exposure to new concepts and reinforcement of what she's already mastered at home. She's even completed her first homework assignment, doled out at last Thursday's open house, if you call cutting up magazines for an "All About Me" poster homework, which I totally do, because hello, the girl's only three. Her first session was today.
Meanwhile, the newest addition to our family turned 10 weeks old this morning. He continues to delight everyone in the house with his smiles, coos, and poops. He isn't sleeping through the night yet, but he does pull some seriously long stretches from mid-evening to early morning. Now if only his stupid parents would use this time to sleep instead of watching Friends reruns and loading the dishwasher.
As for me? Well, today was my last day of maternity leave.
What to say about these last ten weeks? It's been amazing, relishing in newbornhood one more time, and spending days upon days clocking hours of snuggle time in our glider, building robots out of Legos, playing catch up with Pixar, and overall just enjoying my babies. They are all such funny little people, so smart and charming, and Kara and Nathan were so patient with me during my pregnancy with Liam. They deserved this time to bond with me, too, to get caught in the rain with me at the zoo, to have me drive them to and from tumbling class, to share a blueberry muffin with me at Starbucks after a random trip to Target. I was introduced to Mater and Ladybug Girl and Yo Gabba Gabba!, and they were reminded that their mother is capable of doing more than visiting the doctor and sleeping on the couch. It's hard for them sometimes, watching me with Liam when they'd rather have me for themselves, but these growing pains will become easier to handle as he gets older, and they pale in comparison to how much fun we have when we're all together.
I think everything is ready for tomorrow: outfit ironed, lunch packed, professional shots of Liam ready to be added to my desk. I've got a fresh hair cut, new purse, and filed nails. I'll certainly look ready to be back at work, even if the pit in my stomach indicates otherwise.
Having pushed through this hurdle twice now, I know in the end it'll be okay. I work with wonderful people who will help me transition back to office life, and the kids couldn't be in better hands with Luke. Good things are ahead of us. I just wish time could've stopped a little bit longer.
Thanks for the update and good luck with the back to work thing Bree!
Also...LOVE LOVE your carrier - is that a mei tei? With that, the trail, and the kids in matching khakis, you could be the cover for "Today's Parent":)
Oh and Nathan's enormous backpack is priceless.
Posted by: eva | September 08, 2011 at 12:56 AM
Good luck today! First week is the hardest .
Posted by: becky | September 08, 2011 at 06:38 AM
Good luck! I'm glad things are going so well. No am also curious about the carrier... So cute!
Posted by: Maggie | September 08, 2011 at 06:53 AM
I hope that your day at work is wonderful. In addition to taking care of sweet Liam, you did a number of fun and meaningful things with your family of five. Take care.
Posted by: Grandma Molly | September 08, 2011 at 07:57 AM
LOVE that picture. Have a great first day back :).
Posted by: rkmama | September 08, 2011 at 08:23 AM
That sure is one good looking BabyHawk! :P
I cannot BELIEVE that baby is 10 weeks old already. And that you're back to work. Where has the time gone? Sob.
Good luck back at work this week.
Posted by: Kate | September 08, 2011 at 08:36 AM
You make a good point about the older kids using the maternity leave to re-bond with mommy. It really isn't time for your to recover, at least not after the first couple weeks... the rest of the time is for you, them, the family. We don't get enough time but I'm glad you made the most use of it. You sound really happy. Good luck this week!
Posted by: Katie | September 08, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Holy smokes, 10 weeks already?!!? wow that went fast. I hope your first day back at work goes well!!!
Posted by: Jen | September 09, 2011 at 11:55 AM
You sound so very happy. That last photo says it all.
Posted by: debi | September 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM
The kids are getting so big. Glad you had that time home with them. I hope if we are ever blessed with another child I will be able to take more than just six weeks. How did the transition back to working life go?
Posted by: Heather | September 15, 2011 at 03:50 PM