On Goodbyes and Hellos

Last weekend, Tom and I did a little rearranging.

We allowed Colleen to have one last ride in her swing and then Tom packed it up and put it in the attic closet.  She rarely used it and now that she is practicing sitting up on her own, she isn't suppose to be in it.

After saying "goodbye" to the swing, we said "hello" to the high chair.  She seems to like being up higher and it's nice to have a place to put her while washing bottles or making dinner.

On a Game

Peek

-A-

Boo!

On Reverse Planking

In the last few weeks, Colleen has been doing this each time you lay her on her back.  Head up.  Feet up.  Tom and I call this "reverse planking."  It's really not too much of a problem when you have her lying somewhere soft.  But, at daycare, the changing table is a hard surface counter top.  The ladies have told us that they feel bad when she picks her head up while they are changing her diaper and then lets it slam down on the hard surface.  One day, she is going to hurt herself-although it hasn't seemed to bother her yet.  All I know is that if she continues, she is going to have abs of steel.

On the Gebhart Farm

One of the most peaceful places I know is my Grandma's farm in Ohio where my dad grew up raising hogs. The big open spaces.  The green fields.  The beautiful sunsets.  And the best part is being there with family.  

On a Very Happy Baby

On our trip home from our Pork Festival weekend, we stopped at the North Carolina Visitors' Center Rest Stop for a bathroom break and to nurse Colleen.  Despite the fact that she had been stuck in her car seat pretty much all day, she was in one of the best moods we've ever seen.  She laughed and smiled the entire time we were walking around the rest stop making just about everyone she passed, smile.

She somehow makes me forget about the Sunday night blahs.

On The Preble County Pork Festival

Ever since I can remember, my family and I have spent the third weekend in September going to the Preble County Pork Festival.  It has always been a kind of family reunion for my Dad's side of the family, although many members of my mom's side also go.

My dad grew up on a hog farm in Ohio, and my grandparents helped start the Pork Festival to promote the sale of pork.  We knew it would be a fast weekend, but I didn't want to miss it.  

So, Tom and I left at 1:00 on Friday afternoon and started driving.

We weren't really prepared for the cool weather in West Virginia when we stopped at Tamarack for dinner.  We found what we had handy for Colleen which was a short sleeve onesie, leg warmers, and a hoodie.

We stopped again at a Bob's Evans for some dessert and an "on the road night time routine."  We changed her diaper and then after I nursed her in the car, Tom read her a story from the front seat.  We then tucked her into her car seat and covered her with a blanket.  She slept until we got to Ohio a little after midnight.

She was so happy to see Pop Pop.  (Nini was on an exciting trip to California with her mom to visit family).  We thought she might not go back to sleep.  But, she did.  She must have known that Saturday was going to be a big day.

All pretty in pink for the Pork Festival!

The smell.  When we are getting close to the fair grounds, I always open the window for the smell.  There is nothing like it.

There are also many arts and crafts vendors at the Pork Festival.  I've always thought of it as the beginning of fall and often find some nice fall decorations to buy.

The classic meeting spot.  We often meet family outside the smorgasbord line by the big rock.  This year, we met up with my dad, Kara, Andy, Sophie, Owen, James, and my Aunt Ellen.

The food, as always, was amazing.  The best sausage and pork chops you'll ever have and great homemade pie too!

Owen had a grand time climbing on the chairs.

My dad and his sister, Ellen.

Colleen hanging out with her Uncle Andy.

Colleen also got the chance to pet her first pig,

got her picture taken,

and got a cool sticker.

The day continued with a trip to Great Grandma Gebhart's house.  Including homemade ice cream and blackberry cobbler made with blackberries grown by my Uncle Roger.

Colleen loved the time with Aunt Kara,

Uncle Mark, 

Aunt Ellen,

and Great Grandma!

Last time I saw James, he was crawling.  Now, he is walking everywhere!

Tom and Sophie also got to hang out together.

Uncle Mark, Grandma, Roger, Ellen, and Dad.

Although the weekend went by too fast, I'm so glad we went.  There is nothing better than going home.

On Sweet Potatoes

Yum!

On Going Back to Work

I shouldn't complain.  I was very lucky to have so much time with Colleen when she was first born.  And, with the economy the way it is, I'm very fortunate to have a job at all.

But, the truth is, I'm struggling with being back at work.  Teaching is a hard job.  And up until now, Tom and I have spent the majority of our time focused on our jobs.  But now, with Colleen, it is hard to find a balance.  Let me explain.  Here is a typical school day for Tom and I:

1.  Wake up between 5:30 and 5:45
2.  Shower, dress, eat breakfast, pack Colleen's bottles, and my pumping supplies
3.  Wake, dress, and feed Colleen while Tom loads the car
4.  Around 7:00 we leave for daycare
5.  Leave daycare between 7:30 and 7:45 and head to school
6.  Get ready for the school day
7.  Pump at 8:15
8.  Teach two classes
9.  Planning (which typically includes some sort of meeting) with another pumping session at 12:30
10.  Teach two more classes
11.  Car duty
12.  Pump again at 4:30
13.  Leave school at 5:00 to pick up Colleen from daycare
14.  Once home, Tom does diaper duty (more about the cloth diapers later) while I prep Colleen's bottles for the next day
15.  Dinner and playtime with Colleen
16.  Around 8:15, we put Colleen to bed
17.  Once Colleen is asleep, Tom and I do school work until around 10:30
18.  Bed

As I type it, it sounds crazy.  I think to myself, "You must be doing something wrong.  Something's got to go.  Why does teaching take so much work outside of school?  Why can't I get more done so that I can actually relax in the evening?"

And I don't like to think about the number of hours Colleen is at daycare.  I know she is safe and even happy there, but it's hard to think that up until the last few weeks, I was with her all the time.  Now, I feel like I hardly see her.

And I'm tired.

Most teaches agree that the beginning of the year is hard.  It's hard to get back into a routine.  I'm just hoping that I find a way to do my teaching job without feeling so overwhelmed and focus on my most important job-being Mom.

On Labor Day Weekend

This past Labor Day Weekend, my parents came to town for a visit.  We enjoyed a dinner out at Tripps Restaurant, football, dinner on the back deck, a Sunday church service, and lots of time for Colleen to hang out with Nini and Pop Pop.  Colleen even got to try carrots for the first time!  Even with the extra day, the weekend went by too fast.  Already looking forward to our trip to Ohio for the Pork Festival!

On Snuggles

I guess Luke really wanted to snuggle.

We had to keep Luke from accidentally scratching Colleen and we had to keep Colleen from putting Luke's paw in her mouth.  I think they were like this for about two minutes.