Feeling Grateful

Fall Break is here and I am happily relaxing on the couch with my sleeping baby snuggled against my chest and my little puppy rolled up in a ball next to us. It is so beautiful to me. It is so nice to just be home and have a couple days off. I do love my job and working with children, but having my own child has changed things a lot. I would much rather be spending my time with my sweet baby boy. I have found a whole new respect for full time working moms. I only have one child and I think it is so hard. But that's not the point of my blog post. I just feel so grateful to those people in my life who are willing to help. I went back to work full time on Sept. 24. I was so not excited. It was nice to have some time off at the beginning of the school year. And thanks to my good friend Marnie, I didn't even have to worry about my class. She just took care of it and I felt completely comfortable with my students in her care. The transition of going back to work has been hard, but so far I am surviving thanks to some help from others. My mom and sister, Rachelle, have both graciously given of their time to each watch James once a week. I am so impressed by their kindness. They do it for free and both of them work full time themselves, and Rachelle goes to school as well. Their jobs are a little more flexible so they are able to take a day off each week to watch my sweet baby boy and then make it up by staying late other days or working weekends. Can you believe how wonderful they are? It seriously amazes me. It is so comforting to be at work and know that my baby is being taken good care of. And I'm not going to lie, it's nice to come home to a spotless house when my mom babysits. My dad is also pretty amazing. He comes to see James any chance that he gets and since James was just a little fella my dad has watched him on Saturdays for an hour or two so that my mom and I can go shopping because Jared is always gone up the mountain or at a horse sale every Saturday. I love seeing how much my parents love James and how James's face lights up when he sees them. And Griff would totally live with my parents if he had the chance. He loves them more than anything. I am so lucky to have such a great family. I am also grateful to Jared for being with our little sweetheart three days a week. He doesn't always dress him in matching clothes or even remember to put pants on him, but I do know that he loves the little guy. We also have some great friends that we can rely on. Hannah has watched James several times and Amera is there for us too. And I know that my sister-in-laws are always willing to help. We truly appreciate everyone's kindness. And now on to some pictures.

I love my two babies so much. They are really starting to love each other too.

James look a lot like his daddy. Good thing they're both so handsome.

James and his grandma have such a special bond already. She brings him a new present every time she sees him, lucky guy.

James and the man he is named after. I know grandpa can't wait to shoot hoops with this little man.

James and his Aunt Shel. He even ran his first 5k to support her. Of course she was the winner and James came in almost dead last with his mom and Grandpa pushing him in the stroller, poor guy.