This day last year

This time last year, I had completed my very first day back to work after maternity leave.  What a day that was.  As I reflected thoughout the day I thought about how much different this day was from last year.

This day last year, I woke with a hungry 3 month old that wanted momma's milk and fell back to sleep with daddy after nursing.

This day last year, I cried most of the way to work.

This day last year, I carried my baby in school in his carseat.

This day last year, I had to pack 2 bottles of breastmilk.

This day last year, I left my baby in a strangers hands, not knowing how much she'd end up loving him.

This day last year, I went to nurse my 3 month old baby on my lunchbreak.

This day last year, I picked my baby up from his first day of school and he slept all the way home.

However, a year changes things.  Even though I don't like leaving Easton and I'd love to stay at home with him, we have a new normal.  A new normal of going to work and school.  And for right now, that's what works for us.  This is a little piece of our new normal.

Today, I nursed my baby boy when he woke up and I fed him oatmeal with cinnamon on the kitchen counter.

Today, we rode in silence.  Easton in the back with his foofie and me in the front zoned out from a tiring weekend.

Today, I carried my big boy in school on my hip.

Today, all I had to pack was his foofie and some diapers.

Today, I dropped my baby off on the playground and had to try 3 different times to get out the door, eventually having to leave him crying in the arms of his new teacher.  {I watched through the tinted door as I do every morning and just like always, he had stopped crying once the door had closed and I was out of sight}

Today, he drinks whole milk with his snacks and lunch and he eats big boy food.

Today, I picked my sweaty baby up from the playground where he crawled through the big tree with his friends. 

Today, he was awake on the way home- as he always is now- and we sing songs to keep the peace.

Today, I nursed my baby to sleep and I can sit on the couch with confidence knowing that he'll rise like clockwork at 6:15 ready to start all over again. 

We are creaturs of habit. 

We do good with a routine. 

Some days the routine seems mundane and repetitive but we throw a kink in every now and then. 

Like today. My boys went to the golf store to get daddy a new driver while I stayed home and did chores.  I did those chores with a little more pep in my step as I had an hour or 2 at the most to myself.  Even though I miss yesterdays, today is so much more fun. 

Tonight, we sat on the deck and felt the cool summer nights air on our skin and pushed bathtime a little later than usual.  It felt good.  Easton is monkey see, monkey do these days.   Lance would fake cry into a tshirt and Easton would do the same, coming up with a smile each time as he knew he'd made us laugh.  We were also late to bed.  Easton wanted a book before bed tonight.  He wanted the touch & feel book with the baby farm animals. Lance taught him that once he got to the chick with the soft yellow belly they would discover it together and laugh as if it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen.  Lance saying "ooooo, the baby chicky" would tickle Easton's funny bone and they'd just laugh and laugh.  He is so full of personality and spirit.  He blesses my soul. 

I will try to remember each day's a gift and be thankful for each day as it is life's greatest blessing.  These are the moments that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.