A Bit Beat – The Reluctant Grownup

I just dropped a cool wad o’ cash at Old Navy for some duds for my oldest dude. Every spring and fall I do a shop like this – either at Children’s Place or Old Navy or Target or somewhere – and nowadays I tell myself “this will get two more kids’ worth of wear,” which cures the heart palpitations that come from replacing an entire wardrobe all at once. Church clothes! Play clothes! Beach wear! Shoes! I also, for the first time, bought three little coordinating outfits for my three boys – for Memorial Day and Fourth of July (they are red white and blue themed). I set each set of pants and button down shirt out on a shelf, lined up in order like the stair-step boys they will go on, and thought of the richness of these three sons.

I see now that I should have chosen at least one solid colored shirt.

Craig says: are you entirely certain this is a good idea, Mother?

Big brother adoration, little brother just tryin' to survive — Big brother adoration, little brother just tryin’ to survive their affection

Love these smiles. Also, I realize Jack needs a haircut.

This is a three day weekend, and I have taken it, by God. I’ve been back at work four weeks and worked about 230 hours in that time, which is a lot for a lady with a new baby. (It’s a lot for anybody.) It’s made me perpetually on edge, anxious . . . it’s beaten me down. It’s not a pace I can sustain, in any case. So though I had things I could do, I have ignored my email (at my peril, I know!) and cuddled with the baby on the couch, bed, front porch rocker, etc. I’ve gone swimming, gone on long walks, gone shopping at Old Navy, done laundry, made muffins from scratch, and walled off work for three solid days. It’s helped restore me, and I hope that the major crush is over and I can do a slow and steady 50 hour week from now on. And include some exercise, because my anxiety goes through the roof when I don’t get a run in now and then.

Anyhow. Here are some pix of our walk today, on a lovely Memorial Day.

I JUST ROLLED IN ALL THIS DIRT RIGHT HERE AND IT WAS PRETTY GREAT, YOU GUYS

He decided today that he prefers to be called Superman, so I have attempted to oblige. It's hard to remember, though. — He decided today that he prefers to be called Superman, so I have attempted to oblige. It’s hard to remember, though.

Now we’re trying to decide whether to go back to the pool, or kick it at home with the sprinklers on. I’m working up the energy to fold the million items of clean laundry that are in a pile on the floor. We’ll grill chicken breasts for dinner, and I have a homemade pasta salad I like to do. The boys are shooting each other with water guns. It’s a good holiday Monday.