journeying to bend

Moon is at a conference this weekend and we are tagging along. The drive to Bend yesterday went great. Left right after he woke from his morning nap, stopped once for water, bathrooms, to feed baby, and then Eli slept the last hour plus. Checked in and went to the family BBQ. And now I'm reading on our deck while Eli naps inside, barricaded by huge pillows on the king bed. A couple pictures...

on retiring in my twenties...

Moon makes fun of me for using the "in my twenties" line whenever I can. Thirty is around the corner for me. Yet baby and job retirement seem to have both hit me earlier than I might have originally expected (you know, like when I was in my early twenties :). So this is a small homage to being done. With work. At least the kind that renders a paycheck. Yet I'll take the giggles, diapers, laundry, smiles, nursing, fussing, and busy life with the baby boy I've been entrusted as work enough for now. Early retirement feels good.

A couple pictures to remind me that this last of my 5 years teaching really was my hardest but that came with the special gift of taking my baby with me. I couldn't have had it any other way.

Images:
Eli playing at work.
Laughing in the car seat.
Our ritual of coming home and napping.
How my students loved him!
Hanging out in his walker next to the copier.

And now to this Motherhood thing...the best work, the hardest work, and such meaningful work. I'm excited to see where it takes me...

the boy

Walks, laundry and lattes

We've been doing a lot of all 3 around here lately. The walks are my dose of calm and Eli loves them. The laundry, well, is endless but that's ok. I don't mind it that much as far as housework goes. Floors, those are a different story. And the lattes are now being made at home by my very own espresso skills thanks to a little tutorial by my husband. I give myself one in the afternoon when nap time is up. Now I just need to make sure I'm getting my full 60-whatever daily ounces of water in. A glass after each load of laundry folded...?

Sunday

playmates

Trying to impress sweet baby L with his shaking skills...

little drummer baby

Two metal mixing bowls and wooden spoons gave Eli quite the drumming experience. He alternated between banging like crazy and then trying to put it all in his mouth. This won't be a "play by yourself" toy anytime soon :). I feel that I'm teaching him life skills--if he's ever short on cash in the future he can grab some kitchen supplies and head to the nearest street corner!

Playtime

Sunday

Speaking of breaks... this morning was a nice one. No, not the 5:30 awakening of the little man, but rather Moon taking a break to join us at church. We remembered to grab a couple pictures when we got home. Now to a much needed nap...

taking breaks

The baby and I have been taking some afternoon trips over to visit Moon. It's amazing how much an hour break can give! It's just about the perfect late afternoon break for Eli as well. And the other day we got some sunshine for it.

office visit

We visited Moon yesterday in his office space. He is working so, so hard. Studying. All day. For 3 more weeks. But he took a break for us ;)

how to keep your baby entertained on a sunny day at work with you

Moon said, "it looks like he's on vacation." I see his point. All in the hat, I think. But taking ones baby to work is not a vacation. Staying home is more like it :). Here's to completing yet another week! Only one to go...

Reading

(forgive the poor photo quality)

a first mothers day

Time spent with my guys, it was wonderful. A sleepy just awakened baby joined us for strawberry milkshakes on the balcony and then we all went on a long walk by the waterfront. Then the baby went to bed and we ate dinner and watched a movie.

asleep

Discovery

our little man

Moon captured these two images of the baby. I love how they turned out.

What Saturdays are meant for...