Life is A Journey...Come Follow Our's

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Back To School...

Every year, for the past 6 years, I have looked forward to going back to school.  The school year puts structure back in my days, gives me some purpose after 10 weeks of lollygagging, and allows me to do what I have always done best, teach.  This year going back to school is completely new, like something I've never done before in my life.  This year, I am trying to learn how to keep a new balance in my life - Quinn.  I am, through trial and error, learning how to balance life as a mom, teacher, wife, exerciser, healthy eater, friend, etc.  After 3 days of being back at work I am happy to say that I am not yet stressed out...exhausted, yes, but not stressed out.


First Day of School for Both of Us

Wednesday was a big day for both Quinn and me...we both had our first days of school.  At 6:45am, I packed up Quinn and myself and we headed into town to take Quinn to day care.  I didn't cry (maybe because I'd left him so many other times this summer or maybe because I was too busy still trying to figure out what I had to do when in order to make the day work), but did not like having to leave him.  Luckily for me, he is attending a daycare that one of my friends here in NWA owns so I knew he'd be well cared for and loved.

The end of the day could not come soon enough.  I packed up my bags at 3:30 sharp, raced to the gym to get in a very quick 45 minute workout (I knew I'd never go if I picked him up first), and raced out to pick up my sweet boy.  He had a fabulous day cooing and talking to everyone.  The informed me that he gets angry when he's hungry (shoot...they didn't have to tell me that), but was just a fabulous baby (again, didn't have to tell me that either!).  We got home and Quinn was EXHAUSTED!  It was all I could do to keep him awake until 7:30!  I tried waking him up to feed him at 8:30 and he was having none of it. 

Overall, it was a good first week (or 3 days) back.  One more week of working full time and then I get to start my part time status working only Monday, Tuesday, Thursday every week.  I am so grateful that we are in a position that I don't have to work full time.  I couldn't imagine missing out on Quinn's milestones (he found his feet this week!!) and I get the gift of doing my now 2 favorite things in life...being a mom and being a teacher.
Precious Moments...Quinn Found His Feet

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Quinn's First Flight

No summer is complete without a flight somewhere and just because Quinn is a newborn, this summer was not going to be an exception.  Last week, Quinn and I flew out to Chicago to go wedding dress shopping with Mom and Lisa.  Lisa's getting married in April, by the way.  Quinn was such a rockstar traveller.  He sat and cooed, checked out all the new sights, and watched the business men who were hard at work on our "Walmart flight" up to The Windy City.  He never cried once.  I was such a proud mom (and way less stressed out than I could have been).  But the best part about the flight was getting to see Gigi at the airport when we landed.


The week went by so quickly but we enjoyed every moment of it.  We took lots of walks (the weather was so much cooler than here in the 100 degree temps of Northwest Arkansas), ate AMAZING food (I really miss authentic little Ma and Pop restaurants that they have back home), and just had an amazing time hanging out.  Lisa did not find a dress, but the hunt is still on and she has a better idea of what she's looking for.

Here are a few more pics for your viewing pleasure.  Oh yes...and Quinn is 11 weeks old in these pics.  I can't believe how quickly he's growing!  He's HUGE (to us at least).

Bath Time at Gigi's


Grandma Kristie even got to come down and visit!




Shopping Break with Auntie Lisa


...and with Mommy


Quinn...11 weeks old