Coffee Date.

Good morning!

Today we can actually have a true coffee date, unlike last time, because I'm actually up and moving in what most people consider "morning" time. I'm trying to prepare myself for the alarm clock next week.

Today we'd probably be sitting on my couch rather than outside. It's so hot here and I never seem to be able to cool off. Right now, at this very moment, it's the coolest it's going to be all day in my house. I'd like to sit inside, curl up on either end of the couch and just chat. Oh, and of course I'd grab us a cup of coffee.

I'd probably start by telling you that I go back to work in six days. Six short days. Ugh. Where did our summer go? Actually, it's probably not fair that I say that. June really did feel like summer and it really did seem to last. June was terrific. And while July was terrific in many different ways, it definitely flew by. One day it was July 1st and the next it was August. 

I would tell you how I'm looking forward to going back to work and seeing "my people" and meeting my new "babies". I'm also looking forward to getting back into a routine and on a better schedule. BUT, I am dreading, absolutely dreading, the alarm clock and early wake up time. I am dreading the hustle and bustle that comes with both parents working full time and the feeling that I can never catch up. And I am ESPECIALLY dreading the thought of not being with my girl all day long. Breaks. My. Heart.

While we were on the topic of my girl, I would tell you that my girl is a mess. She has given me a run for my money this summer. She can be the absolute sweetest thing in this whole wide world and then turn around and be just an absolute handful. When I sit and think about it, because I do a lot, it's times like summer and Christmas break that she tests me the most and I think it's because we aren't in a routine, we don't have a schedule and I really do think she's just bored. I also think she's testing her momma. She's not crazy about bedtime (last time that occurred was over Christmast break), she fights naps or "rest time" as she refers to it, she's gotten super sassy and she could win an Oscar for whining. Seriously. In recent weeks I have been so overwhelmed and so frustrated. I want to know what to do and how to handle her when she acts that way, but I really have no clue. I try to be patient and consistent, but it doesn't always work out for me. And when it doesn't work out, then I am not so patient. And that's not pretty either. Just minutes after she has a "moment", she will apologize and say in her sweetest voice, "I sorry, Mommy. Will you forgive me?" Then she will crawl up in my lap or beg for me to hold her and all she wants to do is snuggle. It's like a roller coaster. And I prefer the ups, not the crashing down part. The days that we have been busy with play dates or dance camps or swimming lessons, with a reasonable wake up time, she has been so pleasant and so easy and has napped so well. It's the days we don't have much to do, which I love, that seem to bring out the other side of her. 

I would also tell you that she is just growing and changing so much and it amazes her daddy and I every single day. She picks up on everything that people say and do. And she asks so many questions. SO. MANY. She uses words, correctly, and then will ask me what those words mean, as if she doubts herself. She has an excellent vocabulary and uses words that I would not expect her to use at almost four years old. She is so smart and I just shake my head some days because I'm not sure what we are going to do when she's a teenager. She listens to everything, which is funny because she doesn't listen to everything at the same time. Ha. Sometimes you think she isn't listening or paying attention to your conversation and then hours later she will ask you about what you said. 

We would then talk about your kiddos or your family or your job or really whatever you wanted to talk about.

We would probably also talk about how it's August and how August makes me super emotional. I say this every year. Sorry. Anything and I mean anything can make me tear up in an instance. August brings my birthday, the start of school and MK's birthday. Getting a year older can make anyone emotional. The anxiety of school starting back and life in the fast lane can make me a bit of a wreck. But, it's mostly my girl's birthday and her actual birth that make me the biggest mess. It's hard not to relive those days back in August of 2008. And the even crazier part, the last time the Olympics were on was when I was pregnant and in the hospital with MK. She was born on the closing day of the 2008 Olympics. Therefore, even watching the Olympics, can cause me to reminisce or get a little teary-eyed. I am hoping and praying that with each passing year I will get better with all of this, but so far, no luck.

I would probably want to change the subject and talk about something not-so-serious, so we might talk about my organization obsession. I would tell you that I have organized every closet, drawer, cabinet and room in this entire house. (Remember, my house is the size of a shoe box so it's manageable.) Seriously though, I started the very first week of summer and I was finished before our beach trip. I love when everything has a "home" and I can find things easily. Heaven.

Then I would tell you how I have LOVED our coffee date and enjoyed every bit of our adult conversation, BUT my days with just my girl are limited and I still have lots of loving and snuggling left to do. 

Until next time. Which might not be until at least Christmas break or so. Ha!