All bundled up and ready for a 4-wheeler ride
Tim and I have been pretty fortunate recently. We pretty much both the last entire month off of work. We were still responsible for our sub plans in December, so we weren't worry free, but we got to spend the first month's of Kaylee's life together at home as a family. This is my first time being a parent, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't usually happen.
Our constant family time came to an end this week when work started up again. We had inservice on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then the students returned to school on Thursday. I actually went to work Mon-Wed. Part of the agreement I made with my school district was that I would work a few days with the long term substitute and with the science committee, but I would have the entire second semester off of teaching. I think it is a glorious arrangement. On Monday, Tim and I took Kaylee to the Crabtree's house and Annie babysat her for us. I totally trust Annie, but I did miss my baby. So on Tuesday and Wednesday I brought Kaylee to work with me (with prior approval of course). Luckily the weather warmed up (mid 30s) so I felt okay with taking Kaylee on the 4-wheeler to get to work. We bundle her up in several layers and but her in the front pack. There probably aren't many 5-week-olds out there that have been on a 4-wheeler 10 times. Everyone at work was thrilled to see her and baffled that I hadn't brought her with me on Monday. She is still sleeping a lot, so it worked out pretty well. I would put her in her little chair and do what I needed to do until she was hungry. Since a lot of my job involved listening and speaking in meetings, it was pretty doable even when I was feeding Kaylee.
Our constant family time came to an end this week when work started up again. We had inservice on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then the students returned to school on Thursday. I actually went to work Mon-Wed. Part of the agreement I made with my school district was that I would work a few days with the long term substitute and with the science committee, but I would have the entire second semester off of teaching. I think it is a glorious arrangement. On Monday, Tim and I took Kaylee to the Crabtree's house and Annie babysat her for us. I totally trust Annie, but I did miss my baby. So on Tuesday and Wednesday I brought Kaylee to work with me (with prior approval of course). Luckily the weather warmed up (mid 30s) so I felt okay with taking Kaylee on the 4-wheeler to get to work. We bundle her up in several layers and but her in the front pack. There probably aren't many 5-week-olds out there that have been on a 4-wheeler 10 times. Everyone at work was thrilled to see her and baffled that I hadn't brought her with me on Monday. She is still sleeping a lot, so it worked out pretty well. I would put her in her little chair and do what I needed to do until she was hungry. Since a lot of my job involved listening and speaking in meetings, it was pretty doable even when I was feeding Kaylee.
Showing off her new Sunday dress
I must admit, I quite enjoyed working at the beginning of the week without the stress of lesson plans hanging over my head. I was busy all day long but the stress was gone. I felt like I was accomplishing things, good things, but there was no hopeless eternity to my workload or gut wrenching feeling that I wouldn't be ready in time. My primary jobs consisted of tying up lose ends, debriefing my substitute, and participating in discussions with the science committee about second semester content and pacing. It was tiring to come home and realize the day-to-day house keeping items were not finished, but it wasn't too bad, since I knew I could tend to those starting on Thursday.
Thursday morning Tim got up and went to work without me. It was kind of weird for both of us. For the past 6 years we have usually gone to work together. The only time we haven't worked together was the 2 school years I worked at North Fremont. Other than that we have always had the same employer. I think Tim was mostly upset by the thought of having lunch without me. Maybe when the weathers warmer Kaylee and I can take a walk down to the school and eat with him from time to time.
Thursday morning Tim got up and went to work without me. It was kind of weird for both of us. For the past 6 years we have usually gone to work together. The only time we haven't worked together was the 2 school years I worked at North Fremont. Other than that we have always had the same employer. I think Tim was mostly upset by the thought of having lunch without me. Maybe when the weathers warmer Kaylee and I can take a walk down to the school and eat with him from time to time.
Sometimes you just need Daddy's support while taking a bath.
Thursday was the awards assembly for the students at the school. I got Kaylee all dressed up and went down to the school to attend it. I had my awards to give out for first semester and it seemed appropriate that I give them out rather than have some one do it in my place. It was also a good opportunity to bring Kaylee to the school. The students have all been pestering us about when they will get to see her. I was a little nervous about bringing her into a room with such a high quantity of germy kids, but they were in the bleachers and we were up front. Because of the assembly set up, a high quantity of kids got to see her from a distance and we didn't have too many kids touching her or wanting to hold her.
Sleeping with your hands in your face can be comfortable.
Friday I stayed home all day and Tim went to work all day. I kind of feel like that hyper active squirrel on the movie Open Range. There are so many things in my head and on my to do lists that I want to do now that I'm not working every day and I just didn't know where to begin or what order to attack them in. It was hard to pick a single task and focus. It was almost overwhelming. Over time I'll get this thing figured out though.
Friday night we had Heather and Kim over for fajitas and a game of Killer Bunnies. Tim and I got the red expansion deck for Christmas so we've been kind of anxious to try it out. I love having game nights. I think it will forever be my favorite weekend activity.
An update on Kaylee: She is growing so fast! On Wednesday she was 5 weeks old, so we weighed her as we've done every Wednesday since we've gotten home. She weighed 10 pounds 14 ounces. She gained more than a pound in one week. She is such a sweet baby and we LOVE being her parents.
Friday night we had Heather and Kim over for fajitas and a game of Killer Bunnies. Tim and I got the red expansion deck for Christmas so we've been kind of anxious to try it out. I love having game nights. I think it will forever be my favorite weekend activity.
An update on Kaylee: She is growing so fast! On Wednesday she was 5 weeks old, so we weighed her as we've done every Wednesday since we've gotten home. She weighed 10 pounds 14 ounces. She gained more than a pound in one week. She is such a sweet baby and we LOVE being her parents.
