Working Mommy

Well today I need to get some school work done - something that's due by 3pm tomorrow. I had started this project in May and hoped to finish it before Nadia's birth, but that didn't happen since she came earlier than expected. I have been telling myself the last couple of weeks that I needed to get started on it, but I just couldn't seem to make myself get back to work on it. Of course technically I am on maternity leave for 15 more days as we're allowed 8 weeks after a c/s. I haven't been attending the mtgs our dept has held the last few weeks. Of course it's always somewhat of a transition every fall from summer mode to back to school (except for the years like last summer when I taught all summer). I have done some schoolwork the past 6 weeks as I have kept current with my work email, finished the grading for the course which ended 6-25, and have been grading for an independent study which ends this Friday.

I have to say I am overwhelmed at the thought of returning to school 3 weeks from today. I haven't even fully resumed my duties here at home yet (ex. haven't cooked a single meal), and I am to begin teaching FT in just 3 weeks? Thankfully I only have to be on campus 17 hours a week, but even that feels overwhelming at the moment. I am also concerned about trying to pack/move while school is in session, but who knows when that will happen. Paul might be making the long commute for many months. Yesterday I said to Paul that maybe when our house sells we should move near PSU and I'll take a 4 year leave of absence from my job. We could rent and live off the equity from our home. Maybe between that and his stipend we'd have enough? We'd be dirt poor at the end with no money or equity, but maybe for our sanity that's the best option. The last 6 weeks has been super stressful. Paul wrote 95 pages since Nadia was born. I think why it's been really hard for me is Paul is usually the laid back one of the two of us. If someone is stressed, it's me, but he has been very stressed lately about writing his thesis, the defense, and his entrance exams at PSU. Well hopefully once his exams are over (Wed pm) and he finishes the revisions to his thesis(???), he will feel more relaxed.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the transfer of 3 of Nadia's siblings. As of 7-4-07 all 6 of her brothers and sisters were still alive. I'm not exactly sure when we lost the triplets in my womb or the other 3 in the lab. I feel sadness over losing these 6 little ones, but I also feel great joy over Nadia!!!!

To respond to some comments from previous posts. 1. I 100% agree that the 2 best photos were of Paul kissing Nadia and me leaning over her. 2. Yes, I had gotten a haircut that day and put on makeup for the 4th time in 6 weeks, but nope I haven't had a professional manicure in over a year or painted them myself in a few months. :-) 3. We own a vibrating bouncer and so far she doesn't last more than 5 minutes in it. 4. Thanks for all the kind words about the photos. I can't wait to pick them up on Friday! 5. I tried the Zout; it works better than what I had been using but not as good as the Spray & Wash stain stick did for me. Thanks for all the comments. I greatly appreciate them!

Last night Nadia slept from 9:15pm-1:45am and then she woke up every hour after that. I didn't sleep as well without Paul here. I've gotten more used to him not being in our bedroom, but whenever he's not at home, I find I am more aware of every little sound and don't sleep very well even though I didn't have that problem when I lived by myself for 5 years. The last 7 years I sleep better when my hubby is home. :-)