Thank Goodness I Don't Work

You can say that again. This time of year it's very hectic work wise because of year end close and audit. Normally, I only work about 15 hours a week (which perfectly coincides with Calleigh's nap time Monday - Friday) but this week it will be much more. Because I have a deadline for when I need to get my audit reconciliations done, I had to work about eight hours yesterday. I still got Calleigh up as usual but then Duncan took over Calleigh duties starting at about nine. They took off for parts unknown so I could concentrate. After we rendezvoused at First Watch for brunch, I went to the hospital to get some work done there (I also met up with Shannon while she was on break). I got home around five but continued to work. Meanwhile, supper time came and went and Duncan was pacing around and opening and closing the fridge looking for something to eat. The house was pretty messy as I hadn't done any cleaning or the like. It all prompted Duncan to mutter to Calleigh, "Boy, I like it when Daddy works and Mommy stays home." Amen. I enjoy the work that I'm doing but I enjoy being with Calleigh a whole lot more. And I know that Duncan completely enjoyed their time together but I do think it really works out for the best when I'm free to take care of the household.

I did get a full report (and pictures) of their activities while they were out about. They went to the dog park, the new park in Winter Park, and Lake Lily. They were very busy beavers and Calleigh was just a little bit dirty from it all! The best part, though, was when I got home from the hospital. Duncan and Calleigh (and her stroller) were waiting on the curb at the front of our community waiting for me. When I saw her, it was like I hadn't seen her in days!

In other happenings...on Friday morning, I left Calleigh with Grandma and Grandpa for a little while so I could go to a consignment store that was having a sale where you could stuff a bag with as much stuff as could fit for $10. It was all stuff that was on clearance but nonetheless, I stuffed a bag - - mostly for Baby Brace. They had a large amount of infant boy stuff but not much that was Calleigh's size. But it was just as exciting to get stuff for him. After picking up Calleigh we ran to Publix (to get groceries as Calleigh always says) for a few things and then we hit up one yard sale nearby. And it was a definite winner. The major find was a little potty for $3. I'm starting to think about the potty training...we'll see. I'm sure I'll have more to say on that in the days ahead. Anyway, I also got a bunch of other things for Shawn and Camille for a very cheap price so I was quite pleased. It's so nice to be able to go yard sales year round! By the way, this is a picture of Calleigh trying on some of Baby Brace's new clothes. Despite the blue and orange theme, she was not celebrating the Gators victory from the night before. Grandpa would be appalled!

On Friday afternoon, Santa, er Aunt Toni, arrived with all of our Christmas presents. I had forgotten a lot of what we had gotten so it was exciting going through the boxes and saying "Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that...." One of Duncan's big gifts was a Keurig single cup coffee maker and it sure does make things easy. I detest coffee but I use it for tea. Of course, Duncan uses it for coffee himself. Calleigh has been very happy to have her stroller. She pushes it every where and often wants to take it upstairs when we happen to be going up there. Fortunately she hasn't really tried to sit in it again which is a good thing since the seat is already half ripped. Another of Duncan's gifts is a DVD series on some major characters from the Bible. We watched Joseph on Friday night although I must say I didn't make it all the way through since it's 187 minutes. I've been going to bed a lot earlier the last few weeks. I just feel so tired. Usually the fatigue is in the first trimester but for some reason, it seems to have really hit me lately.

Church and Sabbath School went well. Calleigh made it all the way until the last five minutes of the service. She had the usual ants in her pants during Sabbath School - - it's just so difficult to keep her contained. After the program was over, she kept trying to go up to little girls and hold their hands but none of them wanted to. She was basically chasing them around the room trying to get their hands. I then tried to get her to hold Jonathan Herr's hand but for some reason, little boys don't have the same allure.

On Saturday night, Aunt Toni, Uncle Terry, and Shannon came over. We watched some football and then those guys watched "Get Smart" while I worked.

Today was a pretty uneventful day. We were able to wear some of our warmer clothes as the temperatures have dropped. It was in the low sixties and overcast. It's only going to be in the low 60's for the rest of the week. It has been in the mid to high 70's so it does seem cooler to us! No, it's not warm enough to be wearing a coat this heavy but Calleigh couldn't resist trying on this one that the Rondinelli's had gotten us at a second hand clothing sale. As for the day, we went to story time as usual and did some other errands.

In Calleigh anecdotes, we've been playing a type of hide-and-seek the last few days. Duncan will lie down on the couch with Calleigh between himself and the cushions so that basically I can't see her. I then go around looking for her. I'll ask Dewey and Marlee and then Daddy if they've seen Calleigh. The dogs don't say anything (!!) and Duncan says "No." I then finally find her much to her delight and she says "Again, again!" And so it repeats. When I did it again and I would ask "Dewey, have you seen Calleigh?" this little voice would say "No." I would say "Marlee, have you seen Calleigh?" and again, a little Calleigh voice says "No" from where she's hiding next to Duncan. So each time I ask if so and so if they've seen Calleigh she'll answer on their behalf. Too cute!

In a sad anecdote, last night we had the Steelers/Charges game on and Calleigh looked at the TV (not that we often have the TV on while she's up and about) and I told her we were watching football. She immediately put up her hands and yelled "Touchdown Patriots." As Ricky said, it's pretty unfathomable that a team we demolished just a few weeks ago is now hosting the NFC championship game. But that's how it goes sometimes. At least we have the joy in knowing that the Manning brothers are sitting home too.

I've got a bed full of laundry to fold so I'll stop here. Have a great week!