Back to Reality...

So this was the week I'd been dreading...since before Bryce was even born!  I seriously cannot even believe Bryce is already 6 weeks old!  Let's face it...I can't believe any of my boys are the ages they are.  It feels like yesterday that we were bringing Zane home for the first time!  The week didn't go exactly as I had planned.  I was hoping to spend my last couple of days just sitting at home cuddling Bryce...but nature had a few other plans for me!  Sunday night into Monday we got snow.  The boys were super excited!  It was enough that we had a snow day, so I had all 3 boys at home.  Day 1 of things not going my way.



Using the snow to make "snowcones"

YUM!

It snowed!!!!

We went sledding...what a workout for me!

Mason was much more willing to play in the snow this year!

My angel making an angel!

My other angel making another angel!

"Mom, I'm going to throw a snowball at you!"

Snowball fight!

Brotherly love!  :o)

So Tuesday came.  My last day of maternity leave.  I want to sit at home and cuddle my baby.  We did some of that in the morning...with me unable to stop crying.  I was failing miserably at living by my "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened" motto!  Anyway, about 10:00 Jo called me to say that Mason had a fever.  So I had to go get him.  I was upset again because I had planned on going to Zane's Valentine's Day party at school.  I'm so lucky to have such a thoughtful husband!  I called him...crying...and he called me back to say he'd come home early so I could go to the party!  Yea!  And thanks honey!  Later that day Matt took Mason to the doctor.  We found out he had 2 ear infections, a red throat, and a sinus infection.  Day 2 of things not going my way.

Heart shaped muffins for Valentine's Day!

Does this LOOK like a sick boy?  I never would have known!

My little sweetheart!!!

Bryce and I had a little photo shoot!!  It was his first holiday, plus I had a couple of outfits I wanted to take photos of him wearing!

Bryce's first holiday!!!

BORN A BEARCAT!  Thanks Uncle Aaron!

Sweet, sweet Valentine!

Zane's Valentine's box!  A tv/wii!  Playing Mario Brothers!

Zane and his teacher, Ms. Thomas

Our Valentine's Day supper...everything on Valentine's Day has to be either heart shaped or red!

Zane with his "love bucket"

Mason's "love bucket"

Bryce's "love bucket"

I had a hard time putting Bryce to bed Tuesday night.  I had a hard time sleeping.  I was happy to be able to wake up in the middle of the night to feed Bryce.  I kind of felt like it was the night before the first day of school all over again.  I just knew that I was going to feel so empty on Wednesday.  Bryce has been with me...either in my belly or arms...for 10 months.  All of a sudden he wasn't going to be there.  I was sad.  When I woke up to feed Bryce in the middle of the night, Matt was sick.  He was supposed to stay home with Mason Wednesday because I had to return to work.  He ended up being okay the next day and stayed home, however I was planning to go in early to get myself organized, and ended up having to take Zane and Bryce with me.  I did really well until I turned the corner to Jo's house...and lost it!  I had to just walk in, drop him off, and walk back out.  Day 3 of things not going my way.

Bryce's first day at Jo's!

Happy boy!

Nora with Bryce

Braeden and Bryce

Jo with Bryce

Lauren with Bryce

I made it through the day.  The kids were happy to see me...the teachers said they were happy to see me...I was happy to see everyone...but I sure missed my baby!  I was ready to leave as soon as the kids were gone!  When I got to Jo's house, Bryce was sitting with Lauren and I went up to him and started talking to him.  As soon as he heard my voice, he began grinning and cooing.  JUST WHAT I NEEDED!  It was almost like he was saying "There she is!"  He had a great first day...and week!  He sleeps a lot there...and doesn't eat much...but is good, so that's comforting to me!



Bryce was laying in our bed.  Mason crawled right up beside him, put his arm around him, and laid there!  It was so cute!

Oh Mason!  He crawled into the crib and put Bryce's paci in his mouth!

I was glad I only had to work 3 days to ease back into things!  It was very weird...I felt like a sub in my own classroom!  Friday night I went to a concert with my friend Mary.  It was nice to get out and have some time with an amazing friend!  Saturday night my parents came down to visit.  They agreed to watch the boys so we could go out.  We headed to the piano bar and met our friend Justin there.  We had a lot of fun and know we need to do that more often!  I think Grandma and Papa had fun too!  It's been a long time since they had to get up at night to feed a newborn!

Today was a beautiful day so we took advantage by playing outside and we also went to the park!  I could take winters like this every year!

Happiness!

These boys make me smile!

Pushing the merry-go-round

Bryce is cozy warm in there!

Mom and Dad!

So we all survived my first week back!  I know it sounds weird, but I feel like I have gotten more done and have done better and getting things ready, etc, since returning to work.  I think just having routine and a schedule force me to be organized and prepared.  We have Monday off this week, so it'll be another short week at school which will be nice!!