Back in the Saddle Again

Our house smells like an old lady when it's been shut up and uninhabited for 12 days.

Just so you know.

Also, our cat has been the most overtly affectionate creature since we rolled into town earlier this afternoon. You can't sit in a chair for two seconds before he comes bounding into your lap, ready to knead your stomach to pieces and possibly perch on your head if you don't react quickly enough. I think maybe he missed us.

In addition, Baylor and Jack fell right back into their normal routine, immediately making a bee-line for the playroom, where Baylor promptly learned how to climb on top of his new play table. I found him there, crouched in a serious, inspecting position, slowly building towers with his newly-discovered foam blocks. I have to admit, it was one of those parenting moments where I had a hard time saying "no" and keeping a serious face.

The boys are now nestled in their cribs, where they have been sleeping peacefully for a couple of hours now. Stephen and I are glad to be back home in a separate bedroom from our children. While we had a fantastic (and I mean fantastic) time with his family, it was a little trying to tolerate all five of us in one bedroom together for that long. (This is especially difficult since Jack is going through a spell of waking up once a night screaming at the top of his lungs.) Now we can sleep in our own, baby-free bed, free to pick and choose when we will address the boys' cries instead of jumping up at the slightest whimpers in fear that they will wake the baby.

Sweet freedom.

Our plans for the next few days involve getting the house in order, hanging out with my family, and continuing to enjoy the Christmas season. Remember, Epiphany isn't until January 6th, so while my resolutions involving things like dessert and exercise should probably start with the new year, I don't have to loosen my death grip on the season itself until the 6th. I will also be continuing the celebration of Christmas with a festive visit to Ikea sometime after New Year's Day. I typically associate the celebration of the new year with funky, easy-to-assemble, particle-board furniture. It's only natural.

So here's to getting back into the swing of things. While it's not necessarily fun to come home after nearly two weeks away to realize that the only things in the house to eat are raisins and dijon mustard, it most certainly is fun to pick up our routines with a newfound, refreshed vigor that only comes from a wonderful, relaxing vacation.

I'm off to try and convince my husband that he needs to get donuts in the morning. While he might argue, I don't think canned pears and water constitutes an acceptable breakfast.  Keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't insist I finish up the mustard.