Admist the busy-ness of the fall season, we've managed to find ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a weekend with nowhere to go, nothing pressing to do.....just catching up on things around the house.  House-cleaning, baby-cuddling, leaf-raking, soup-making, nose-wiping, icecream-eating, game-watching, paper-grading, grocery-shopping, Christmas-planning.  It is heavenly.  And definitely much needed.

Weekends like this are recharging.  A welcomed deep, cleansing breath when it is just plain necessary.  Because, let's face it, the busy-ness gets to be kind of exhausting.  And even though the weeks ahead hold much to do and places to be and commitments and responsibilities and birthdays and holidays and travel.....all of that is forgotten about for 48 hours (well, 49 hours this weekend).  We can be at home and catch up on things just for us.   Not because we have to....but because we can.

(So, why not throw a cute baby with a pink hat in a pile of leaves??  We've got time for that!!)

I think sometimes I focus too much on what needs to get accomplished, what is coming on the calendar, what I need to plan for.  Then a little moment, something simple, comes along and surprises me.  Puts things in perspective.  Slows down my racing mind.  Reminds me of what is important. 

My sweet baby learned to clap her hands this week.  So simple and innocent and precious...I watched her and my heart swelled with pride like she'd just won a gold medal, and then I remembered this is what it's all about.  All the work and busy days and sleepless nights and unending lists of things to-do.....they aren't what matters.  My girl, my family....the loves of my life that make all the craziness of life seem worth it.

So, I'm loving this weekend of catch-up.  I'm finding comfort and happiness in family, fall breezes & warm sunshine, a Saturday night bubblebath, extra long time in the rocking chair with the babe, and a date night on the couch with my sweet hubby and a movie.

What are you doing this weekend to recharge??

P.S.  50 days 'til Christmas!  Get excited!!

Recharging

LOTS of changes this week...

Natalie spent her first week at daycare.  She seems to love her provider and smiles so big when she sees her in the morning.  However, there isn't much of a schedule happening there....Natalie gets held through her naps and isn't getting enough sleep.  She's been fussy and overtired at night, leaving Mommy & Daddy exhausted, too.  I'm hoping to talk with her daycare provider and see if we can make some changes.  If not, I guess we'll start looking for someone else.  Sigh. I hate to be the "schedule nazi" but it is honestly very important for us that Natalie gets plenty of sleep and stays in a somewhat regular routine.  We love how much attention and love Natalie is getting....but that may not be enough.  Time will tell. Trying to stay positive and remember that there will be a period of adjustment anywhere that Natalie goes.

I also returned to work this week.  It was good to get back in a routine...but the first few days of the week were rough.  I cried a lot as I tried to get my bearings about me.  I felt out of balance, like part of me was missing.  You know when you feel like you've forgotten something at home, but don't know what it is?  That uneasiness consumed me most of the week.  I've never been so happy to see 3:30 on the clock each day.  Seeing my girl at the end of each day -- she kicks and smiles and laughs when she sees me! -- is the sweetest thing, and the only thing that gets me through the day.  Luckily, my days are extremely busy and go by really fast.  This will be an adjustment as well....getting used to the fast pace of work, when I was loving the slow pace of maternity leave. 

I've decided to keep nursing for now.  I was having trouble pumping last week, and thought I was going to have to supplement with formula while Natalie was at daycare and I was at work.  Thankfully, I found out that it was the pump and not me.  (Which was weird, because the pump seemed to be working correctly...)  Anyway, I rented a pump for now and am having no trouble keeping up with what Natalie is eating when she takes bottles during the day.  It will be much harder to keep up with a pumping schedule once the kids are back and I am more limited on when I can do it.  Luckily, I can pump a bottle's worth of milk in about 5 minutes.  So, for now, I'm going to try to keep up with it and see how it goes.  I just couldn't stand the thought of something else changing right now...

We used the weekend to recharge and reconnect.  I loved getting up on Saturday morning with my sweet girl, nursing her and then putting her in the bed between us.  We lounged in jammies the whole first part of the day, and it seemed to be just what we needed.  Sure, I should be catching up on housework and laundry....but that can wait a week as far as I'm concerned.  Right now, I just need my girl!

We also got to celebrate my sweet nephew's third birthday this weekend with a pool party.  More of what we needed....blessed with cool weather, we enjoyed the family time and relaxation. 

 Birthday boy!

 So cute.

 These kids love, love, LOVE baby Natalie.

  I think RJ's mommy might be wondering how the past three years went by so fast...such a big boy all of a sudden.

Natalie enjoyed the party, too.  Especially the swimming part. :)

Daddy's girl.

 RJ bounced back quickly after a slip-and-fall incident shortly after arriving at the pool.

 Grace jumped off the high dive for the first time!

And this guy can't go anywhere without his dinos. Love this little face.

Watching all of this....taking in all the family and smiles and cupcakes and splashing and conversation and kisses.....it was just enough to get this momma recharged for the week ahead.