Top Ten July Thoughts

I’ve done it again.  I’ve let things continue to happen and pile up and I’ve left you, my oh-so-numerous faithful readers in the dark.  There has been so much happening that I’m at a loss of where to start.  So, this is going to be one of those disappointing posts…one of those where I cram so much in, that I run the risk of saying nothing.  Anyway, hope you can bear with me and read between some of the lines. Without further ado, here it is, the top ten things I have learned during the month of July (as always, in no particular order)…

1.   Buying a house does take more paperwork than an IEP.

When I run/participate in IEP meetings, I’ve gotten to the point where I have a loose script.  I make the same jokes in the same places where the paperwork itself is involved (of course, I do things completely differently depending on the child).  One of those jokes is about how much paperwork it is and how you don’t even get to own a house after all of those signatures.  I do better with it during the meetings…describing a joke always sucks the funny right out of it.  But, as of last Friday, when we closed on our house, I do admit that buying a house does take more paperwork.  During this one, it wasn’t overwhelming or confusing, but it was a ridiculous amount of signatures and taking.

2. Amelia loves the beach, the pool and all forms of water (and also does not mind the taste of sand).

I knew this would be the case, but it is crazy how much she loves the water.  She loves splashing and feeling it and looking at it.  She also loves being independent and so, her shark float gave her a taste of that when swimming in the pool on vacation in Williamsburg.  It is amazing to see her experience things for the first time and the beach did not disappoint.

3. Amelia couldn’t care less if I stay with her when we go somewhere new.

She does not meet strangers and is so brave right now.  Whether it changes or not, it’s such a fun part of her personality right now.  It’s been especially evident this summer when we have visited her new daycare and when we have gone to Baby Lap Time.

4. Movers don’t read all of your meticulous labels, just most.

Not to brag, but the movers we hired may have complimented my labeling system.  I was finally able to do a move the way I wanted to, and it paid off. We have been able to find everything.  However, in spite of the compliments, the movers still didn’t read all of the labels or follow all of my directions.  No worries.  The best laid plans…

5. Kalamata purple walls are awesome.

We painted an accent wall in Amelia’s new room purple.  This is her third room in 14 months and I do think that even though she’s had to deal with all of that, she’s moved up in the world each time.  This time, the purple wall, is the big difference.  It makes it feel a little more hers and a little more steady.  We were nervous, but it works. 

6. To a 1 year old, inside bubble parties can make up for a pool being closed.

While we were on vacation, we made an attempt at going to the pool in between supper and bedtime.  We were thwarted by a thunderstorm at the last second.  Amelia was disappointed and so, we went back to our condo where six adults and Amelia proceeded to have an inside bubble party facilitated by Nana.  She loved it.  We should all be a little more like kids in our excitement over the little things.

7. Scout is more adaptable than anyone believes, especially when Frosty Paws are involved.

Scout may go on hunger strike whenever moving boxes or suitcases or anything else terrifying is involved, but she is ok.  She has already figured out her new house and is doing better than at this point last year when we moved to Boone.  Frosty Paws are dog ice cream and when Scout has them, she forgets all her troubles.  We’ve only gone through a few so far.

8. Unpacking makes everyone feel like they have all new things.

When Amelia saw her new room for the first time after we had set it up, you would have thought it was Christmas morning.  She was thrilled and spent quite a while looking at all of her things through new eyes.  It was a joyful reunion that almost made all of the packing worth it.  It definitely made it worth it that Amelia’s room was 100% finished when no other boxes had been opened, much less unpacked.

9. I have absolutely no regrets about doing nothing related to my job this summer.

I have chosen to do my job in a setting where I work ten months of the year.  The pay and honestly, the level of respect and prestige directly correlate with that. I have also made the conscious choice that my job will not be my entire life, whether during the school year or during school breaks.  This summer I have chosen not to do anything work related.  I have spent my time with my family and have avoided work related distraction.  I do my job and I do it to the best of my ability; hopefully that means I do it well.  However, there are and will always be things I could be doing for work; I could work for twenty four hours, seven days a week and probably always find things I could do.  Some people choose to do that, and that’s their call.  The first few weeks of the school year will most definitely be tougher than they could be for me.  However, this was Amelia’s only second summer and I would have never gotten that back.  I will never regret the time that I have spent with her or that I have been wholly present during that time.

10. I will miss Amelia more than I ever anticipated.
I knew that the summer was going to end.  I knew that she would start her new school, that I would go back to work soon afterwards, that we would find a new routine.  I also know that she will be clean, safe and have absolutely no worries when I leave her in her new classroom.  That is a wonderfully comforting thought.  All of that aside, I will miss her.  We have had a summer together.  We have spent nearly all of her waking hours together.  I am not sure I would be cut out to be a stay-at-home mom and don’t have the option anyway.  This is good for her and good for me.  Right now, I am comfortable with our plan and our situation.  I will miss her though, every day and now, on the eve of her first day at a new school, I have abruptly realized that I will miss her more than I ever thought possible.