Last weekend of summer!!!!!!!!!

I never like saying that, but this summer is different. Not only has it truly been the shortest summer since I started teaching 14 years ago, but it has also flown by because of Tanner. I really, really wish that I could afford to stay home with him and continue to build that bond, but financially that is just not an option. I am not nervous about the care he will receive at his daycare, but rather the fact that I will only see him in the evenings for the next 9 months or so. That's going to be tough for both of us. I know all working families deal with this, but I completely dread the drop off come Monday morning. It is only a work day, no students until Thursday, but the emotions will be high nevertheless. I almost bawl my head off just thinking about it. Since he came home from the NICU, I haven't been away from him for more than 4 hours (grandma's houses). I was also fairly certain that he never cried in his crib for more than a few moments until grandma got to him. However, one of the benefits of going to daycare is that he will get on a schedule. I am not certain of how this happens, but I feel fairly sure that it might involve some crying until Tanner learns to self-soothe, and realizes that I will return and he is not alone. He has also been on more of a feed-on-demand type schedule. I will be curious as to how they accommodate that schedule. I actually hope that they can get him on a better schedule where he can go for longer periods between meals and isn't such a "snacker."

On a lighter note, today was the last "Friday lunch date" with my cousin-in-law and my aunt. While running some Tanner-related errands, I was able to get Tanner a crib mobile! Now that he can focus on things and literally be entertained by it, I thought this was the time to do it! His nursery is jungle babies, but for some reason, everything to do with the crib is an ocean theme! Oh well, I shouldn't have ever chosen an exact theme anyway. His new mobile has a remote so that's really cool! But, the best feature is the nightlight that projects stars and moons all over the ceiling at night. GeGe, Amanda, and I enjoyed lunch at the Olive Garden and then finished off the afternoon with pedicures, plus I had a manicure! My aunt GeGe and I had never had pedicures before, but overall it was an enjoyable experience! I especially enjoyed the massage chair!

I have also enjoyed Monday afternoons! I have had the unique experience of hanging out with a former student who had her baby one week after Tanner was born. How wild is that?! Ashley and I are now friends and have met for lunch several Mondays in a row and walked our babies in their strollers at the mall. The really cool thing is that Tanner and Jaxon will be in daycare together and then school K-12. Hopefully they will be good friends since they will have so much history together!

Tobin has gone on a weekend fishing trip with his brother, so my mom is staying with me. I know Tobin will miss his little "TT" as he calls him. My mom never did stay over when Tanner was first born, due to the NICU stay, so I am really enjoying her being here now. There is just something comforting about having your mom stay with you even when you're 38 years old! When Tanner wakes up for a feeding, mom gives him the bottle while I pump, so we all three go back to bed at the same time! That is so wonderful compared to me trying to hold Tanner on my lap and keep his bottle propped up while I keep the breast pump funnels on me! Quite a challenge! Mom and Dave are bringing dinner over this evening and then mom will stay the night again. YAY!