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| The Thinker |
It's Labor Day. For so many years this weekend has meant the start of the school year for me, whether it was teaching outdoor education or in the classroom, September was the start of something new. Now it's Labor Day and tomorrow I will not be returning to any classroom, nor any time this year. My decision not to return to work was instinctual and certain. After spending nine months of pregnancy pragmatically weighing all of the options, the decision needed no rationalization when Lyell was in my arms. I couldn't imagine not being there to watch this perfect creature discover the world, nor could I miss the chance to inspect the contents of every diaper. So Labor Day is here and tomorrow will not bring any new students.
Matthew, on the other hand, has entered the ultra-busy state of starting the school year, being a new father, dealing with a 50 minute commute, and managing a huge garden harvest. I am trying to be helpful and understanding, but I don't think I'm doing a very good job. Adjusting to having daddy gone most of the day has been a hard transition for Lyell and I. I suppose it's a dance that all families go through and I can already feel a new schedule emerging after two weeks of work for Matthew.
Enough about us... what about Lyell???
Lyell got to go to the Mariposa County Fair this weekend. He stared at all of the animals from his perch in the Baby Bjorn, and watched mommy eat polish sausages and cinnamon rolls. In the past couple of weeks he has moved out of the "bouncy stage" and into the "stares and smiles" phase. Just a few short weeks ago when Ruth and Wally were visiting, Lyell needed constantly to be rocked, swung or bounced. I would sit on the exercise ball with him and bounce until my quads were trembling, but he was finally asleep. Somewhere around two months I looked down and he had fallen asleep in my arms with no bouncing necessary. He is still in love with his swing, however, which he is rapidly growing out of.
Now, Lyell loves to stare and smile. Mostly he stares at peoples faces. He will look intently for several seconds and then break out into a big smile that just melts your heart. He can hold his head up by himself for minutes at a time, so I can sit him on my lap to look out at the people on all our excursions. His favorite spot is riding face out in the Baby Bjorn, so he has a good view of what's going on around him.
Aunt Patty and Uncle Chip just visited for a week, which was fabulous. They are gearing up for their own journey into parenthood and were incredibly helpful with every step of Lyell-care. Lyell got to feel Georgia kicking, and Chip had the most success directing Lyell's tummy time ("No pain, no gain").
