School and Work: Ready to Roll

Sometimes I find it is better to just embrace something that is coming.

So this morning I jumped out of bed, handed McKenna to Tim, and got ready to go back to work. In no time I had my PB&Js packed, a pile with picture frames, textbooks and a breast pump on the front seat, and I was singing Billy Madison's "Back to School" as I pulled out of the driveway.

Our department offices moved since I left for my summer/ maternity leave, and so first order of business was to find my new space. I new the building, but I had no idea where in the building the new offices were. I missed a call from Kristie because I was calling our admin Errin from the 4th floor to find out where the department is on the 2nd floor. When I told Kristie that I missed her call because I had to call to find my office, she laughed and pictured me walking up and down the halls calling my own office and waiting to hear the ring. That would have been a great idea...but I have never known my office phone number...

When I got the location squared away, I headed back to my car to get my stuff. The lot for my new office is far away, and it just wasn't worth throwing my back out. So I did what any sensible mother of two would do. I pulled out my B.O.B. stroller (hitched up the team so to speak) and filled it to the brim. Apparently people do not pay attention to what is it a stroller because many people said, "AWWW, how is that cute little baby?"

"Great," I'd say. "At home, but great."

I think I'll bring my pack mule around campus more often. It helped me stay relaxed and comfortable and slightly connected to home. However, I am not sure I am ready to be "that crazy teacher with the baby stroller." Beats some other names I've been called around there.

I pumped in my office while reading my Blog reader at lunch time. And although nursing gives me a wave of depression the minute my baby latches, on the contrary, I tend to get a wave of peace if I pump. So I enjoyed the moment in my dungeon of an office, and then christened the new department office with a bottle of breast milk on the top shelf.

When I got home, I was delighted to find everyone, including Tim, asleep in their beds. The house looked normal, and my mail was waiting for me neatly on the kitchen counter.

We've sure come a long way from the days when I came home from work and found 6 month old Quinn swinging vigorously in her swing with her legs tucked to her chin cause she was stuffed into 3 month PJ's. Tim was no wear to me seem, and the house looked like we'd been robbed.

Again, I reiterate ... we've come a long way, baby.

Next step in the going back to work process is the test run with the girls at the nanny's house on Friday and Monday.

Then Quinn starts pre-school on Tuesday, and I start teaching on Wednesday.

It's not ideal to kiss my babies good-bye, but it's fine. It teaches me new things. It changes my perspective. It makes me work harder and try harder and love harder.

I'm find with this giant multi-task in my life, and maybe I should just embrace that I already am "that crazy teacher with a baby stroller." At least on the inside.