Somewhere in middle America

Can you tell that every year September is a month of transition for me? It's as if I've forgotten how to manage my time, be a full-time teacher, a full-time wife, a full-time mom, and part-time sane person simultaneously. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. In my wise old age I've come to realize that I can't do it all. I know this on a cognitive level. But on the emotional level, well...I know deep down that I can still have it all. I CAN have it all. I can do it all. I can. I am Superwoman. Oh wait...I'm falling miserably short and ending up with tension headaches and an 8:45 bedtime resulting in NOT having it all.

Eh, another post for another day...


This weekend we took a break from life in suburbia and headed to Omaha. Some fun tidbits:

• Madeline "camped out" in a sleeping bag. It was her first travel experience without the Pack 'n' Play. She did a super job and has graduated to floor sleeping.

• She also pooped on Aunt Joan's potty. Another big step. And the first person she wanted to proudly share the news with was Uncle Larry. She's only had dirty pants in her diaper once in the last three weeks. That's a big deal. So big that I am ready to declare this upcoming weekend Potty Training Weekend. Big Girl Undies...here we come. Lord help us.

• Madeline is an AMAZING traveler. She keeps herself occupied for two full hours in the car with a pile of books and a baby doll. It's wonderful. Darrin and I can actually have adult conversation in the car -- with the occasional interjection from Madeline, of course. I have no idea what we have done to cause this...I just pray we can replicate it with Baby #2.

• Madeline loves her puppy-cousin Molly. No, we are not getting a dog.

• We bought Madeline's big girl bedroom furniture at the mecca of all furniture stores. Nebraska Furniture Mart (insert Don LaFontaine's omniscient voice here). It will be arriving (along with a much awaited leather office chair to replace the $10 folding chair that we currently use in our office) in 6-8 weeks.

Here's to finding my sanity and more frequent blog posts. Cheers!