Ch-ch-changes

Lots has happened in our little world. First off, Boo has started kindergarten. She was supposed to start on a Thursday. Then the fever hit Tuesday, and John stayed home with her on what was supposed to be her last day of preschool. She was feeling well enough to go to school that afternoon to say bye, so I thought we were good.

Boo and her preschool teacher Miss Stacy, who was a saint throughout us getting Boo on ADHD meds because she was out of control in the classroom. Much improved!! Yay Vyvanse!

Boo felt a little clammy and barely ate on Wednesday night before school, but I was all, "Um, first first day of school can't be missed! We'll just load her up on Tylenol and she'll be fine! Besides, I want to see her in her uniform!"

I mean, look how cute that is.

Then, in the middle of the night Boo came into our room and said she was scared of the dark. That isn't really like Boo, but I didn't think much of it and told her to climb into our bed. Approximately one hour later, at 4am *barfing sounds* *puke on Mommy*

Noooooo. After rinsing her off and changing the sheets, I still had it in my head that she was going. No fever!

In the morning a few hours later, Boo was super emotional and mopey. I tried to get her to eat a piece of toast and *barf*

Sigh, Boo was staying home. She cried a little but didn't protest (very unlike her) and then slept until noon, poor thing.

Luckily, she was 100% by that evening, after some chicken noodle soup and lots of fluids. So, she was off to her first day of school, which happened to be gym day, so I was a little bitter I didn't have a cute uniform picture. 

Still cute though.

I got one on Monday, don't you worry.

Go St. Jude Jaguars!

Monday also happened to be the first day of my new job as an associate at a downtown law firm. 

After four great years at the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, it was time to move into the world of private practice. I'll be doing commercial law, so a little of everything, including securities and some insurance stuff.

Everyone at the office is great. They were very welcoming, and I can't complain about my nice view.

Since John leaves for work around 6 am, the morning routine is on me to get it all done in 45 minutes. And I have it down to a well-oiled machine at this point. 

The prep the night before is key: I get home from work, immediately load the dishwasher with the baby bottles and breast pump parts that need to be sanitized and ready for the next morning, put the kitchen back in order, open mail, etc. 

Then, I pack my breakfast (overnight oats are key) and lunch (big fan of mason jar salads because I can prep ahead), and Boo's lunch while I'm getting dinner started. John bathes Annora and lays out her clothes for the next day. At some point we check her homework folder and bang that out, then we eat, then collapse. At some point I hopefully get a shower. If not, 4am shower it is.

After Lady A wakes me up at least three times to nurse because God forbid we sleep through the night, I get up about 30 minutes before everyone to put finishing touches on lunches, pack the car so my hands are free to load Lady A, get myself dressed and ready, and then go in to try to gently wake Annora so I have happy kids in the morning. So far, so good.

After getting dressed, Boo eats her breakfast as slowly as she can (#ohmygodweneedtogochild), while I get Lady A changed and toss her a teething biscuit or let her kick on the mat/hang out in my lap.

This is all going to change when this one gets mobile.

Then I fix Boo's hair, drop her at early care to play for about 30 min before school, and Lady A and I are on our way to her downtown Cleveland daycare just ahead of rush hour. She naps the whole way, gets dropped off to some lovely women while I swallow my mommy guilt, and then I head to work for around nine hours. 

John gets Boo from extended day (she usually doesn't want to leave so at least I don't feel guilty about that). They usually go on a jog or Boo rides her bike while John runs.

An hour or so later I rush out of work to grab Lady A, she naps the whole way home while I battle rush hour, rinse, repeat. Sometimes I race around the house after the girls are asleep to pick up the house and wipe things down. Then I watch some TV with John if I haven't fallen asleep at 8pm like I usually do. 

Yes, it's exhausting, but thanks to the new job, I get to hire a cleaning person and that is going to make my weekends nice and open for quality time. I've been trying to read Boo a book when I nurse Lady A to make sure we are spending time together in more ways than racing from one place to another, and so far, so good. 

It's a busy life, but I feel fulfilled and don't have any regrets.