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Back in the Saddle Again

Two full weeks into the school year has produced quite a few changes this year, with many more to come in the next two weeks.  The biggest adjustment has come for me as I adjust to full-time work.  The adjustment really doesn't have much to do with my workload or the effort or desire to work more; that is no problem and I've always been willing to put in plenty of time and effort into my job.  The real adjustment for me is the time spent with Nathan.

Last year, I was so spoiled being able to spend so much time with Nathan.  Since I worked part-time, I wouldn't actually need to be at school until 12:00pm each day.  This gave me loads of time to spend with Nathan.  I could sleep in and relax in bed until 7:00am or so, Nathan got plenty of sleep as well, we could then relax and get ready at a leisurely pace before I took him to school sometime around 10:00 or so, sometimes earlier sometimes later, depending on the day.

This year is so much different.  Both Erin and I have to be at work by 8:30am each day.  I have first period prep, so I get to take Nathan each morning to daycare, or school as we usually call it with him.  Erin then picks him up in the afternoon, though we both get off around 4pm.  This means Nathan cannot sleep in.  He must be up by about 6:45 at the latest everyday so we can leave hopefully by 7:30 each morning.  Last year, if he wanted to sleep until 8 or 9am he could and I would let him.  On Wednesdays, we both have faculty meetings at 8am, so he has to get up even earlier.

Most mornings this is not too much of a problem.  Nathan usually gets up in a pretty good mood, and will get dressed while being reasonably cooperative.  Once he was being difficult and he did not have much time to eat his breakfast.  But that only happened once, and if you know Nathan you know he loves breakfast.

Evenings go by so fast.  By the time Nathan and Erin are home it is 5pm, and we barely have time to cook dinner, get some playtime and reading in before it is bedtime for Nathan at 7pm.  And baths, well those are a real challenge.  I am comforted that Nathan is doing great in his new classroom, he really loves his new teacher Miss Victoria, or Toria, as Nathan says it and that he is getting plenty of sleep which is so important as he is developing and growing.

Looking back the extra time I was able to spend with Nathan really was precious.  I certainly don't feel like a bad parent or anything like that now that I get a little less time with him, but on weekends and when we have time together as a family I really treasure it.  This is a great age, Nathan is constantly learning new things, and I just feel so blessed to be able to have the time I do have with him and Erin.

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