It’s really starting to look like fall around here: grey skies, an eerie curtain of fog, water dripping from glistening tree leaves… The temperature has dropped as well. A tree in our backyard now bears red foliage. I think this is one of the most romantic times of year. It’s time for brisk walks through the countryside wearing a thick woolen sweater. It’s time to curl up by the fireplace with a good book and a cat in one’s lap. It’s time for bonfires and cider, football games and homecoming dances. This year, for me, it signals the end of maternity leave. I will return to work in two short weeks. I’m both scared and excited. Scared, because I will have to leave Sammy at the childcare center. I know they’ll take good care of him, but I’ll miss him each minute–each second we’re parted. I’m also scared because I’ll have fallen so far behind in the cases. I no longer know what’s going on. It will take a lot of furious cramming to catch up…if I can. Furthermore, I’m going back to a new job. I was promoted to full paralegal and will have new responsibilities awaiting me. I’m also excited because of the challenges facing me.

Sam and I have been such night owls! We’re up at one o’clock. We’re up at three o’clock. We’re up again at 5 o’clock. Both of us are so exhausted that we end up sleeping through the seven o’clock feeding. We sleep until nine or ten o’clock. The day seems to end before we have a chance to fully wake up and then we’re right back on our night owl routine. I’ve been doing my best to keep him active during the daylight hours and calm at night, but it’s an uphill battle. Hopefully this will smooth out by the time I have to go back to work.

I hope to get a little fresh air and exercise today. That should make me feel better

My mother finished her radiation treatments yesterday morning, so she and my father drove over to visit us. They’re happy to finally be able to spend some quality time with the baby. Sammy’s been reveling in all of the attention. He smiles and coos and kicks energetically. He’s so cute.

Mom and I went shopping this morning. I had to buy some new pants. I’m tired of wearing maternity clothes, but still can’t wear my regular clothes. How depressing I didn’t buy very many things, though. I need something to motivate me to work off those last few pounds!