That is the kids are pushing limits.  Noah has begun to push the limits and test my resolve at thing like nap and bedtime.  He is also flexing his own independence.  Hence, I have been relegated to the floor during our bedtime book reading, while Noah “reads” the book.  When I try and interject anything, “No Mom, Noah reading the book.”  Okay.  How quickly they no longer seem to need us for those things we once thoroughly enjoyed.  I loved snuggling up with Noah and reading a book or three and then putting him to bed.  Now–I sit on the floor, not allowed to read and I put him in bed and all he does is whine.  I know he just wants to see what he can get away with.  How far he can push his bedtime back.  How long mom will lay on the floor in his room while he pretends to fall asleep. 

Zoë on the other hand is pushing all the limits as she learns to do more things.  Like pull all the clea laundry out of the basket and scream with rapt abandon while she does it.  She has learned to climb up the stairs and if the gate is left open for a split second she is crawling up as fast as she can.  It is crazy.  She is close to walking, but seems content to crawl and cruise.  I use to think she would be walking any day now.  I am currently pretty sure that she won’t crawl for another month or so. 

Parenting babies is hard.  I am worn out and to be quite frank burnt out.  It’s not much different than teacher burn-out.  I give 100% of myself to my kids all day long and then again at night and then again on the weekend.  I really am living out the movie Groundhog Day.  It’s the same over and over.  I know this phase will pass.  I am looking forward to Zoë becoming a little more independent.  I am so ready to go back to work and hope that come the spring I will have a full-time job for the next year.  I am ready.  I owe to myself and my kids.  I’ll be happier when I am working outside of the home.  I often feel guilty that I cannot wait to go back to work.  I know a lot of mom’s who have to work for monetary reasons–not because, like me, they go insane staying home–and would love to be able to stay home.  I am at my ropes end and it is time. 

Parenting has taught me so much about myself.  I use to think that I might go back to work and attempt to get certified at the elementary level–no way is all I have to say to that.  I love my kids and I love spending time with them, but there is a reason I teach high school and college.   I have reached my baby parenting limit.  Hubby and I are going to adopt again, but we are going to wait 4 more years and then adopt a young sibling group–between the ages 6 and 2.  We are excited about this prospect as I don’t feel that my family is complete but I do feel that I have gotten to have the baby experience and I am kinda done with that.   I have reached my limit. 

Just a few pics of the kids from the weekend….