Change and Adjustment

We are attempting to settle into a new normal around here. Nine months ago I thought this year would be a little easier, calmer, and that more would get done (all those pesky piles and projects that keep building up). Well, this year hasn't turned out that way at all.

First, I've had some health issues that have slowed me down. I'm fine for now, but I just can't move as quickly as I used to. Unfortunately, this culminated a few weeks ago when I pushed it and seriously pulled a muscle in my side. It hurt even to breathe. I had to call in reinforcements and begged my parents to please come help. Thankfully, they are awesome and came as soon as they could. My mom has been here ever since, helping wherever she can. I'm doing much better but have to constantly remind myself not to push things.  This is HARD.

Second, we added our precious Miracle to our family. I wouldn't change this for the world. She is truly the easiest baby ever, but another child, especially an infant, is more work. The other kids have had to adjust too. The big ones help quite a bit, but there is also some whining and complaining associated. The little ones have to be watched to make sure they don't smother their little sister with love!

Third, our wonderful nanny of over five years, Miss M, let me know in the spring that she would be leaving later this year. This was a hard decision for her to pursue other avenues in her life. I spent hours and hours on the computer researching and looking for a new nanny, as well as sending out feelers in every direction I could. After many interviews and a couple of dead ends, we finally found a super new nanny with all the right experience. She has been helping us out for about a month and has now assumed the full-time nanny position.

Fourth, the school situation has changed this fall.  BB now attends developmental preschool three mornings a week and goes to daycare those afternoons. He and Precious and Miracle have therapy the other two mornings and stay home for naps in the afternoon. Buddy switched to the elementary school campus of the Christian school where May has attended junior high for the last two years, and May started high school on the junior/senior high campus. They both ride the school bus for over thirty minutes each way, but so far that is working out fine.

Fifth, we added a dog, Daisy, to our family about a month ago. She is a perfect fit! She is well trained, mellow, but still likes to play. Daisy is about four years old and lived at a rescue shelter for four months before we found her.

Finally, Sweets' dad is both more and less of a challenge to deal with than in the past. More because he is unpredictable and avoids talking directly to me whenever possible. He talks through Sweets but plays her as a pawn along the way. Less because he is less involved most of the time. Since bio mom moved in last spring, he seems to be gone most of the waking hours, but he still insists upon control and decision making (as in bio mom can't make any decision that has an effect longer than bedtime). So, most of the time I just tell him when I will pick Sweets up and bring her home. Sometimes though, he gets upset with her and tells her she can't go anymore because she has been gone too much. Usually that fades before the following weekend but just upsets her in between. The never ending saga!