Back to...

...reality?  Normal work weeks (ha)?  Less clutter?

So, the holidays are really over.  This year, it seems like they just popped up, without any warning.  Halloween was fun and spooky, and then BAM!  It was turkeys and elves and presents and champagne and HELLO 2015!  It was a whirlwind...and now it's calm.

I took all of the Christmas decorations down yesterday.  I took my time, sorting Ava's and G's ornaments into their own container, already preparing for the time when those ornaments will no longer grace our tree, but will hang on different branches, in their own houses.  I went through the decor that is no longer used, and made a donation pile...if you don't love it, don't let it take up precious space, right?  And as I was wrapping up the last ornament, I wondered what will be different in 2015 when we decorate the tree?  When I unwrap the ornaments next December, will I look back to the 2014 holidays?  Will I need to put the ornaments just a little higher on the tree, because this year, if G lingered a little too long in feeling an ornament at his level, he would stop when we would tell him no.  Next year, will he listen so well?  Will we have any broken ornaments? Any missing candy canes?


But, that's all done now...back to a fresh start of a new year!  This past week was a busy one...not only was it the first full week back in several weeks, but also the weather has been chilllllly!  Schools were cancelled this past Wednesday due to extreme temps, so that always results in a flurry of rescheduling madness.  Last year's weather prompted the schools to come up with back-up plans in the event they had to close due to extreme temps (not snow days.)  Ava's before-school program (sponsored by the Y - love them!) notified us at the beginning of the year that they would offer cold-temps full-day care for those children enrolled in their program.  So, Ava got to head off to yet another elementary school in the district on Wednesday.  We have been to 5 different elementary schools for release days since the beginning of the year, but at least this one was in Rosemount (usually we're off somewhere in Eagan.)  And she had a GREAT time that day...not kidding, she came home raving about what a fun day she had.  Way to go Y!

G's getting more teeth (4 on bottom, and the 4th popping through on top.)  Last night, I was holding him in my lap, and realized he was coming at my face, with his mouth wide open.  With some quick moves I was able to avoid his slobbery bites (maybe they would have been kisses, but I didn't want to find out if it was the former!)  He's eating like a champ, and is only taking bottles in the morning and at night...he's doing well with sippy cups during the day, even though there is a little whining for the bottle.  And he's toddling around everywhere...up the stairs, around the corners, and all over us.  He's such a joy, and I just want to cover his chubby little cheeks with my non-slobbery kisses, every single day!

I leave tomorrow for St Louis for a client meeting on Tuesday, and am hoping for a non-eventful travel adventure, unlike the last time I traveled for work.  Seriously, no unplanned overnights...there is just simply no time for that in the schedule this week.  I'm getting protective of my time away from my home/family...I just don't want to be gone.  I'm realizing that time is my most precious commodity, and I am reluctant to give it away.  Almost every day at work, I make a comment about "if we only had 30 hours in a day"...

But, we don't.  So, maybe 2015 will be all about finding that healthy work-life balance.  The kids are only going to be little for so many years, and I cannot stand the thought of missing out on important/non-important moments, because of my job.  It literally causes my heart to hurt.  So, that's a sign that a change may need to come.  Somehow, some way, things will need to change.

And now, I think I'm going to make my early-bird daughter some hot chocolate and get in some snuggles before the sleeper-inner (??) wakes up and starts shaking his crib!