Onward and Upward

As I knew it would, the arrival of our most recent cutie-patootie two months ago sent my world spinning. Between making time for a needy infant and running on half as much sleep as I was used to, I was very, well, overwhelmed, to say the least. I felt a definitely loss of control, and I learned that that's something that bothers me. There are certain things I felt I should be able to do (after all, I'd managed them before just fine), but I felt very helpless, incapable.

Well, I am happy to share that, as I'd counted on, time really does work wonders. Sure, I am still hopeless at housecleaning (it happens--just in infrequent, stressed, sporadic bursts), and I still wear yoga pants and t-shirts, like, all the time. However, I'm slowly regaining a sense of control over my life. How can I tell?

I am back into my "groove" of meal planning, making yummy dinners, and trying new recipes.

Though I can't get James to sleep reliably during the day, I'm confident he'll fall back asleep after his feedings at night. (He's got to be in our arms for at least 20 minutes, but we know he'll sleep! Hallelujah!)

I am actually excited to tackle to prospect of teaching piano again this fall. For a long time, that had seemed simply incomprehensible. Now I'm making plans and believing they might actually work.

The thought of being home alone all day with the two kids does not sound like an insurmountable ordeal; it sounds a little monotonous, but certainly doable, and with little bursts of sweetness from spending time with my two children. (Though we are all very glad when Daddy comes home.)

And finally, I've been on about three outings where there was no uncontrollable screaming. *cue the heavenly chorus* The most recent of these outings was our first family "date" since the little boy arrived; we went to buy a birthday present for one of Cambrie's little friends and then to eat at our new favorite sub restaurant. 

She was referring to herself as "Firefighter Cambrie" for most of the meal.

Polishing off her cookie.

Firefighter James was an angel (read: asleep) for most of the meal.

I, nerd that I am, keep picturing this graph with "Time" on the X axis and "My Ability To Handle Everything" on the Y axis. The slope is curving upward, and that is encouraging. I'm ready to conquer this little challenge and emerge on the other side more capable, more rested, and with two pretty awesome kids.