Reality Check Two!

Today I took HaHa by the lovely family daycare she will be attending when I return to work next week. I had almost forgotten that she should see it at least once before we drop her off there on Wednesday! It is a stone's throw away from the 10 freeway, and we hopped on the highway at about roughly the same time we will be getting on when I am back at work on Monday.

As we sat there in the 4 p.m. headed-east traffic, I was suddenly flooded with the memories of working full-time just months after HaHa was born. It was crazy. I was crazy.

Luckily, my mom was here for the first couple of months of my post-maternity-leave return to work and she was very helpful. She made the transition from two-to-three kids more manageable. She helped with cooking and cleaning. I worried less because I knew HaHa was in good hands, and I didn't have to deal with getting her in and out of the car when I had to pick Leo up. That was great... Of course, now we have four kids in the house...

So. Here I am gearing up for the beginning of the school year. I am thinking of the driving in traffic, the teaching, the prepping, the making of dinner, the bed time, the making lunches, the laundry, and all of the other things that need to get done. I'm a little worried. How will I do it all? How did I do it before? And, on top of all this, how will I do this blog?

I guess I will do what all of us do everyday, and that is, what we have to. I'm no exception to the rule. I also, thankfully, won't be doing the morning shift. That bad boy falls on Richard. He will have to get all the kids fed, and make sure they're dressed, and deliver the boys to school on time! Yikes! He will also be dealing with HaHa's transition which is a blessing for me. I'm sure I would be so much more disruptive than he will be. I'm also sure I will be writing much shorter posts come next week! I promise! Wish me luck! I got four more months people!

I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Outfit:

We had an early morning play date, so I threw this together in a flash. It is actually the same outfit I wore in Happy Birthday!!!, but with different shoes and a different shirt. That's one way that I can keep track of not repeating easily.

Shirt: Hand me down from friend. Gap.

Skirt:Hand me down from friend. Free People.

Leggings. Very old. I think I got them in high school for a play, or maybe in college. I know that leggings are definitely not a wardrobe staple for me. This is my only pair.

Shoes: American Eagle.

My pictures were very rushed today, so they aren't so great. I hope it's not a sign of things to come! Here's Richard with two of his offspring. He held HaHa for about two minutes and she was out. It's a little bit of a problem, but he "likes" HaHa, so he doesn't like to put her down. He's away from her all day...

Happy Birthday!!!

Today I spent more summer leisure time with the kids before I head off to the office tomorrow. I haven't done summer school for a few years, so it should be fun. I also think that it will be the perfect way to ease into a full-time work schedule in the fall.

We went to the library. It was peaceful and sweet to see the boys grab books they found interesting and settle in at a table, while I looked for books for my class. HaHa was kind enough to nap during this time. We left and came home to bake a cake for my lovely friend Ayiko. She is a truly wonderful and brilliant person, and I've known her since I was 9! That's a long, long time, and I am so glad our crazy paths crossed those years ago.


Richard had to work until 2:00 a.m., so I needed to scramble for childcare this evening. For some reason, I guess because of experience, I cannot leave Jordan alone with all of the kids for more than a little bit of time. He is almost there, but not quite. I was getting paid to watch four kids under the age of 7 when I was 15, so it is hard for me to understand why I can't have Jordan stay with the kids for several hours. I just can't. Maybe soon.


Anyway, I am rambling, so let me just say that Ayiko's birthday dinner was filled with laughs, good conversation, yummy food, and cocktails! They were strong, so I only had one. And, I was lucky because Richard's brother agreed to sit with the kids while I was out. I was home by 9:45, and all three kids were awake.

Outfit:

Black Shirt: This was given to me by a friend who used to work for the designer of the shirt, Alicia Lawhon. I love the simplicity of this shirt with the rainbow detail.

White skirt: Ayiko gave this to me several years ago, so I decided to wear it today. Free People.

Black Leggings: So old, I don't know where or when I got them!

Shoes: Miz Mooz by Gazith.

Bag: I usually do not carry a purse and would do anything to not carry one, but sometimes, I just have to. I found this purse at a thrift store long ago and it was five bucks. It isn't leather, and that's fine with me. While I appreciate really gorgeous handbags and the ilk, they're just not something I covet.

Night Noise!

Last night, for some reason unbeknown to me, Hollis was up for about two hours. It was somewhere between madness and hilarity! She was singing, dancing and playing. She went over my facial features ad nauseum, poking me along the way, "Eyes, nooo, mow (like cow)..." She mimicked Richard's snoring, sat on my head, tried to go into Charlie and Leo's room, kept taking her diaper off, and entertained herself fairly well. I got out of bed three times to bring her back into our room. I didn't want to put her in her crib because I was afraid she would wake the boys or try to climb out. She has already attempted to climb out of her crib several times, and she is very close to succeeding. The girl is a dynamo!

Today the boys climbed on the front porch wall and she followed them right up without a moment's hesitation. It's about a two foot drop, but that doesn't scare my HaHa! When I think about it, this is the second time this week Hollis has been playing in the middle of the night. I think this night waking is part of her next developmental leap. She is starting to talk a lot and I think this is making her more restless. Last night I wanted to get the video camera to record her sounds and songs. But I was too tired to get up. Her little voice is so sweet, albeit a wee bit annoying when one is trying to catch up on some zzz's. Who knows, maybe tonight will be round three? I'll keep the camera close...

Outfit:

This is another outfit where four out of five pieces were given to me. The only thing I bought was the teal shirt which was a pregnancy purchase.

Blue sweater: From clothing swap. Express Studio Design. Seen in: Host Party!

Teal shirt: Forever 21.

White embroidered skirt: From the lovely Ayiko. Free People.

Green Belt: From Ella Moss dress given to me by the lovely Wendy, creator of awesome I heart Guts!

Coral skirt: From the lovely Lesley Alexander. Seen in: 100 Posts! I am repeating the coral skirt, red shoe combo! Oh well, I'm sure it's bound to happen again, I've got 252 more days to go!!!

Shoes: Lower East Side.

As I write this post the boys are in the backyard wrestling and going crazy on each other. I told them they had to go outside if they wanted to act crazy and they bounded out with glee! A 15 year old, 6 1/2 year old, and five year old boys going wild! Yikes! Hollis wanted to join, but I made her stay in and she cried. Poor little girl!

You can see Hollis playing in the car behind me as I take photos. I tried to take photos earlier in the day, but the light didn't work! Hollis' dress/shirt is from a thrift store too!