Taking a deep breath

Last week officially commenced a new phase in our family life: "Mama not going to work--stay home with Tobin?" as he would put it. Some have asked me how it "feels" to be home, and I guess I would say that what I feel most is relief. But that's only based on two days at home, last Thursday and Friday, following our extended holiday weekend in Kentucky. So maybe ask me at the end of this week, when I can give a more comprehensive answer. For the most part, I've been doing what the usual unpacking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and meal planning I do after a stint out of town--except that I didn't feel the time pressure I usually do. Our weekend was really nice, because I didn't feel rushed to do too much, since I have more time during the week to manage our home. So we played with Tobin, watched a lot of football, and got Tobin's haircut. I also did some superfluous baking.

The timing of this change is interesting because of how it coincides with the end of what has been, to put it gently, a stressful summer. I guess it was only fitting that the summer ended with our dog Hannah having emergency back surgery over Labor Day weekend. While we were in Louisville. After we had just spent a month away from her while we had been traveling for my mom's surgery in August. The surgery (to repair a ruptured disc) has a high success rate (90-95% of dogs regain mobility), so we are hopeful. And honestly, the much graver human health crises we've encountered over the past year help give us perspective. Still, we are sad that our little dog can't walk and sometimes struggle with being patient with the recovery process. Tobin and I have been thankful to be home to tend to her during the day. And he is terribly sweet, frequently stopping by her bed or crate to say, "It's okay, Hannah." He is also quite impressed with her boo boo, which he describes as "kinda long." (It's actually a very neat 4-inch incision.)

And, oh yes, Tobin is talking in complete sentences these days. His grammar is not perfect, and he often refers to himself in the third person, including telling us that "that boy" is tired, or has a boo boo on his thumb, or is funny. So true. He continues to be fascinated with categories, particularly boys and girls. He knows that boys have a scratchy face. And that boys have short hair and girls, long. Well, except for his Uncle Dan, but Tobin was able to categorize him correctly this past weekend. :)

I think I can speak for all of us and say we're thankful to be home. And I feel especially fortunate to be "home" in a more literal sense. I hope to share more about this new adventure as it unfolds.