The Family Dynamic

We were a lot like a normal family this week. As in, we both had the Labor Day holiday off, which we spent bunk bed shopping for the room that our boys will share in the distant future, and we both went to work on Tuesday. It was the first time I've worked since June 21st, and strangely it felt like I had just been there last week. It felt neither good nor bad to get back in the game, but it was definitely helpful to earn a tiny little paycheck. The pharmacy has added a few pharmacists since I left, so they probably won't need much help from me. I'm happy to enjoy this time off and pop back in every now and then when the help is needed until I'm ready for a real schedule. What a symbiotic relationship we have!

For the remainder of the week, Dylan worked extra hard to pick up the slack for a certain someone who would rather not earn to her potential, and I stayed busy too. I've managed to get a hot meal on the table for three nights in a row...if you can count "leftover night" in that mix. I'm also taking two classes at SCC...one online creative writing class and an interior design class. So I've been reading, writing and learning on the side. We were all relieved to have Dylan around for swim lessons this week. Let's just say I'm not keen on putting a bathing suit on these days, and Gavin screams and cries when we do the back float in the pool and is a complete hell raiser in the shower and getting dressed afterwards when I take the reins. I don't have the energy to wrestle him anymore. If I haven't already pointed this out, he's huge. And I'm tired. For Dylan...he has the time of his life in the pool and is an angel, for the most part.

I had a check-up this week with the midwife and everything is good except for the stabbing pain I've developed on my lower right side. I'm sure it's just a muscle or ligament stretching, but it's not fun. Or maybe it's a hernia from wrangling Gavin every day. I opted not to hop on the I-10 on my way to the appointment, since I've had enough bullets in my car for one lifetime, so I covered a lot of ground on the surface streets of Phoenix.

Gavin's been doing good, having fun and learning at Dawn's house on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His new favorite thing is Play-Doh...I think we'll keep that a novelty for Dawn's. She's started potty training the boys, so I picked up a few packs of training underwear today to get Gavin in the mix. I'm not sure how it will go, but if he's not up for it, then I'm willing to be patient.

And for the most exciting news...we gained a new little niece. Finally, a girl! Little Zoey was born at home in Oregon a couple days ago, and from what I can tell she is perfect and adored to pieces. Her big brothers have taken to her, and we can't wait to meet her. I think everyone was surprised that she was a girl and delighted beyond belief. My girly side is pretty weak, and I'm quite certain I'll make a much better mom to boys than I would to a girl, but to have a girl in the family to love on is very welcome news!

As for the weekend, we don't have much on our agenda. I haven't been able to say that for a while, so I am happy about it! We'll probably have to send Dylan off for the next three weekends in a row, so hopefully we will fit in some QT with him. I don't have a single photograph from our week. For some reason I've really cooled it on the photography, but I'm sure this streak won't last long. I've just been really busy for the last few weeks, which is not typical for me. And with that, I think I've just about summarized our family for the last few days. I hope your expectations were not high!