Stream of Consciousness Re: My New Life

I sat here and tried to think of what to say. Chris said, 'you could blog about unpacking boxes.' 'You can't blog about that.' 'Well, then you could always just do that.' HA HA HA! I've been telling him that I'll unpack the bookcases for a few days now--seems like the least I could do. Once the basic, needs-to-be-done-to-function unpacking was done, my pace slowed. My intentions are solid gold, but my schedule is jam-packed. What with blueberry picking, afternoon naps, visits to the container store, and chasing a toddler around the yard, I'm trying to figure how I ever had time to go to work, let alone do anything around the house. Now that boards are behind me (three cheers!), I am finally relaxing into this new schedule (which is off completely until Labor Day, then part-time). Since it's the first time I've had this schedule stretching out in front of me since E was born (maternity leave was not relaxing), I'm sort of giving myself permission to be less productive than I would be normally. For a few days, anyway.

But I did unpack some (okay, three) books today.

It's taking some time, because more than boxes, I just feel like I am un-packing my life.

I am not used to having totally unstructured days. I am not used to having more than a few hours at night to get things done. I am not used to life without my routines and my schedule (as decided by others). And the possibilities of this are rather paralyzing. What first? And when? With who? What makes the cut? I feel an accountability to this newfound flexibility/freedom. My brain looks like this: Blogging? Creative Writing? Napping with E? Stickers? Organizing? Reading 'Fancy Nancy'? Running though the sprinklers? Reading the paper? Ordering window Treatments? Journaling? Signing up for dance classes again? Cooking Dinner? Doing Laundry (what is THAT?)?
It's a little bit of chaos right now, but I'm enjoying the mess.
Things will settle, and when all is said and done, we'll have a new normal.

some observations and recent happenings:
1)Realizing that I now have time to take over some of the domestic responsibilities that my uncomplaining husband and Nanny have taken care of is, well, taking some time. I think, "Oh. Right. Guess I have time for that now? Darn!!" Certain things are not so bad. For example, I'll enjoy more time to cook. But no one looks forward to dusting and such.
2)My brother's gorgeous wife brought Little Olivia into the world. She is perfection--a miracle--and I cried when, after texting me throughout her labor, my brother told me the little darling was here.
3)The Outer Banks were especially kind to us this year. Quiet. And Kind. It was just my wonderful in-laws (who can take most of the credit for the amount of our house that IS put away) and us. E was endlessly entertained on the beach by her 'gampa' who can make her laugh to the point of hiccups at the drop of a hat. That meant that Chris and I actually got to sit back and enjoy the waves/read. The whole week was one of my favorite beach weeks ever.
4)Being with Eva so much is hands down the best part of this transition. I find her utterly bewitching, and feel privileged to witness more of her daily moments. She, as well, seems endlessly pleased by our new arrangement.

So, what can I say? It's all a work in progress right now. I'll keep you posted!

Eva loves the Ocean, but this is definitely her favorite vantage point:


This is what she does if you try to put her down in the ocean:


Look at that face!


Glamour Puss:


Happy Together:


See what I mean?:


She is in one continual state of playing with my hair:


Those curls!