The Best-Worst Week: Monday

I can't wait until naptime!
Is it bedtime yet?
I can't wait to go on vacation!
I can't wait until Christmas!
Only a few more weeks until M's birthday!
I can't wait until N can walk!

I could wring my own neck for wishing all of that time away with my babies, because now there are only 7 days left in my maternity leave, and then I have to go back to work. For the rest of my life.

First of all, yes, I am aware that I am a lucky bastard to have had this time with them. I am beyond lucky to have only worked 4 months of the last 3 years. I know all of this, and I am grateful for what I have had. And it doesn't make it any easier.

In my morose, self-pitying state, I can only think that I wished it all away. And so, this will be the worst week, with the spectre of gainful employment hanging over my head.

BUT.

I have SEVEN days of freedom left with my two gorgeous boys. SEVEN days to play and explore and cuddle and hug and kiss. Not that any of this will stop in any way after I'm back at work, but these days are FREE. This will be the Best Week.

Day one was fantastic.
We went to a great kids program at our public library called Story Time, which both my kids love. N sits in his stroller and bops along to the music and claps a lot. M, on the other hand, sits on my lap (LOVE IT! I never get snuggles like that anymore!), and refuses to participate in any of the songs or actions. He is both shy and a giant snob, not unlike his mother. He does love getting stamps on his hands at the end of the session though.
On the way home, I asked M what he wanted for lunch, and he said, "noodles and my special sauce." He hasn't asked for that in a long time, so I was happy to oblige. Am I the worst mom ever? His "special sauce" is cream of mushroom soup. Next to zero health value but delicious.
After lunch we went outside to play. I pulled out the giant bucket of dump trucks and back hoes and excavators, so we could sit in the sun and make vroom-vroom noises while driving the heavy machinery around.
While I made dinner, M decided he would hang out with me in the kitchen and do a puzzle. That way, N can't wreck it because he's in the gated playroom. We had a lovely family dinner and then all four of us headed outside with the puppy to play some more.
After N went to bed, I decided to let M stay up later than usual and I took him grocery shopping with me. We made grotesque faces and stuck out our tongues at each other, and talked like valley girls. "Okayyyy? OKAY!" That kid can turn any mundane task into a joy.
Before bed I read him a bunch of his new library books, said his prayers, and tucked him in. "I love you, baby boy." Pause. "Mom? You have a big butt! Hahahahaha!" Sigh.