new routines

It seems like a lot has changed in the past 24 hours.

Summer ended, work began. I think I had a great summer. I mean, I got to spend it with my husband and my baby. It was a first for me - having a child around during the summer months. I had a blast. I loved traveling with her, and I loved our daily outings to parks or target, and I loved just lying on the floor watching sesame street with her. It was a really, really great summer. On one hand, I think I could be a stay at home mom in a heartbeat if circumstances allowed.

On the other hand, I find myself excited for the beginning of a new year. The beginning is always the best part. You're not behind yet and everything is a clean slate. I enjoy working and I enjoy my job. I especially enjoy that my job has fantastic hours for being a parent. I enjoy that each year that I've worked I've become more confident. I'm no longer "learning the ropes" Now, I'm a part of my school - somebody that the other staff know and look to on certain things. So, I'm not really sad that summer is over. I like what I do.

So anyway, all this has brought about new routines for our little family of three. We made the decision that Kyle would not take on a full time job while in school this year. Instead of using that money to hire a nanny, Kyle offered to be a stay at home dad during the day while I'm at work. Then we switch so he can go to his evening and night classes.

For the first time...ever? This means that on most days - Kyle and I can eat dinner with Abby. So far, she has always eaten around 5:30 and we eat around 7:30 or 8 after she's gone to bed. But, with all of us home for the afternoon hours - we can eat together. This makes me happy. ...and it also makes me sad. Sad because we live in a small apartment with no formal dining room or room for a real table. I know its not forever - but I DO look forward to having a nice sit down meal with the whole family some day. Either way - it'll be better for all of us to eat a little earlier.

And speaking of food - I decided to make up some new meals for Abs over the weekend. She is getting very good at picking up her food - but I'm still pretty gun shy about giving her big chunks of things. This means, that she will feed herself small pieces of food - but that takes too long and I don't think she can get enough that way. So, usually, I give her some finger food portions of whatever we're eating that night and puree the rest. On Sunday, I made her some brown rice, chicken, sauteed celery and broccoli and mixed them in various combos. Then we made beef and roasted red pepper, onion with a touch of garlic. We made some others stuff, but those were the best.

pre mix

I thought it was appropriate that Abs should have her first taste of hamburger on Labor Day. Here are a few pics of that.

ok...I'll try it


hmmm


I like it!



In other news, after a long hiatus, I ran again today. I didn't have a lot of time between me coming and Kyle leaving and dinner in between - but I got in about 30 mins. I gotta keep it up. I like it when I do it. I just HAVE to make time to do it.
I suppose that's enough random information for one evening, huh? Have a nice night folks.