Teach Me How to Mommy

Like everyone else on the planet Amy and I are trying so hard to adjust to the school schedule that we  almost missed the fact that today is our One-Year Blogiversary! One year ago (today) we took the plunge and started this thing.  Throughout this year we have learned a lot about each other and also our "fans".  We are different, but the same.  We love our kids with our whole hearts and we make a lot of mistakes.  We are way too hard on ourselves, but we are also doing a pretty job of enjoying this chaotic time in our lives.  We are moms doing our best.  We are all living it, Amy and I just write about it. Doing this blog is an extra thing on our to-do list, but it's become a necessity.  It's added a whole new layer to our friendship and it is a major source of stress relief (a rewarding one at that).  We plan to continue forever.  Yes, that's right this will live on and on and on.  How else will we survive these turbulent times? --------------------

Tonight is the official start to awards season (even though the really big and good ones are not until the winter).  Amy and I should be drinking wine and critiquing the red carpet, but instead I am looking at this mountain. The start of the year is so exciting in some ways and then so overwhelming in others.   The pressure I used to put on myself (having all classes graded immediately) is something I just don't have room for anymore. Instead of "I need to get this done," I am aiming more for "It will get done."  If you think about it both of those end with a final product...there is just no much pressure on the when . So for now, I'll be peeping at the fashion and the winners while the tv is on mute .  I'll carefully weed my way through these essays and tomorrow is a new week with, well new due dates. It will all get done.

And all of a sudden my "baby" is two . He can have a conversation, he's almost out of diapers and he can tantrum like a champ.  I guess those "emergency bottles" I've been keeping in the back of the cabinet have no use.  The extra pacis hidden in the junk drawer can be thrown away.  All clothes that end in "months" and not "T" can be given away.  My baby is now a boy. He seems fine with the change, it's me that's struggling. I've always been a bit out of my league with him.  His love for trucks, diggers, John Deere and overall destruction has forced me to become a real boy mom.  It might not be what I am used to, but I really "dig" it now. It's been quite a roller coaster ride.  I tend to forget the 10 months of no sleep and focus on the hours and hours and hours of snuggles and love.  But, I guess most of all when I think of John I think of his smile.  Happy Birthday big boy!

I knew the honeymoon of smooth days filled with getting-to-know-each-other activities and smooth daycare drop-offs was over when Wednesday hit.  You're probably not having your best day if you get to daycare only to realize that your daughter has no shoes on and you have no back-ups. Technically I still got to work on time, but it was close - very, very close. So instead of describing just how disconnected my brain feels from my head these days, I'd like to focus on two wonderful things that happened this week: The kids "washed the dishes" while wearing the cutest undies on the planet. I happen to teach some of the most wonderful, spirited and fun kids on the planet.  They exhaust me and give me life all at the same time.  What an amazing whirlwind to be in. That is all.

Last week was the first full week of school. Even as someone who thrives on work chaos, and especially as someone who was seriously looking forward to the routine... last week was ROUGH. Our PD did not fulfill me, like at all.... the AC was broken with not a fan to be found, I got heat stroke (it was debilitating and took me three days to fully recover), and then I thought I broke a tooth. I have no recollection of my tooth chipping, but there was intense pain radiating from my top right molars into the tippy top of my brain. It was Friday by the time I ran out of extra Strength Tylenol and decided to call my dentist. They felt "soooo bad" but they just couldn't fit me in... So, I spend my first Friday at work, before a holiday weekend, calling every dentist in the state of Connecticut. I finally gave up, said screw my anxiety, and called MY dentist back and begged to be seen. ALLL of a sudden, they could magically fit me in.  But only if I arrive ASAP. I ma