barely!
We've survived my first week back to work.
I was sad about leaving Levi but that wasn't what had me most worried. It was dealing with 150 angst ridden 8th graders I was really scared of. I knew a lot of them would be unhappy to have me back. They've been able to get away with a lot from my sub that would never fly with me. But I also did hear a lot of "Mrs. West...I'm really glad you're back."
Well, Monday was really tough and there were many moments that day I started writing my letter of resignation in my head. This job just takes a lot out of me emotionally. I have about 8 girls in my 6th period class who I call the "mean girls". They got really pissed at me this week because I've been asking them to stop socializing the entire class period and do some academic work. It didn't seem like that ridiculous of a request, but I guess when you have to discuss who's breaking up with who and who's fighting who because she looked at your new boyfriend, there's no time to learn anything about America's westward expansion. Oh...I miss them as sweet innocent 7th graders. So much happens to middle school students between 7th and 8th grade! I guess that's when the hormones really kick it into high gear. Anyway, all this to say it's been a tough adjustment for them and for me. But things did get better each day, and I haven't put any of those resignation ideas actually down on paper....yet.
I'm very thankful that with the stress of my job, I haven't had to worry about Levi at all. It's great knowing he's with someone who really loves him. Maybe even almost as much as I do. My mom's been great this week! She puts in 9 1/2 hours a day and I can't get her to leave! (Mom, I'm just teasing.) She does dishes, she's done laundry and she even graded some papers for me! How did I get lucky enough to get a nanny, house keeper and assistant?
I do miss Levi a ton. I told myself I wasn't going to cry when I left him on Monday morning because I knew I'd then be sobbing all day. Unfortunately, I did tear up a little bit as I drove away from the house but I just reminded myself that he'd have a great day with Grandma and I could look forward to seeing him when I got home. Which I did. The smile that broke across his face when he saw me melted my heart! He even got the excited arm flap going too. Boy, I love that little guy!
So, here we are on Saturday morning. The first week down, and only 5 1/2 more months to go. On the agenda for the weekend is lots of snuggle time with Levi, going to the wedding of one of Gabe's co-workers, and some grocery shopping. Oh, and of course that work I had to bring home with me. Work sucks!
And here's Gabe's:
Notice the difference in reading material?
And he seems to like it! He's been eating it really well. Expect for the fact that he'd be just as happy chewing on the spoon. He likes to grab the spoon out of your hand, as you can see he's about to do in this photo. After we gave him cereal on Friday and Saturday he was more spitty than usual. So we think his stomach may not be quite ready for it. I gave him a little bit more this afternoon and so far so good. If it seems like it agrees with him today, we'll continue cereal for the rest of the week and maybe try some avocado over the weekend. Exciting!
Gabe and tossed around the idea of just going to bed ourselves when we got home. But we decided to wait it out a few more hours. Here we are enjoying a Bellini right before midnight.
Definitely not a great picture. But it's WAY past our bed time!