Blogging a comeback

Seeing as how Anna is growing up so quickly, I felt like I should document her activities (and mine) during this sweet, sweet period of our lives. It seems like forever since I've last had anything to say, and judging from the pictures I last posted, it was.

In January of this year I started back to work in a new area of the law. I left other people's families behind so that I could devote my life to my family. Now that I am six months in, I know the change was a great move. I am in an office of about 30 people, less than 10 are attorneys. The work we do there is not critical to mankind, but we provide a level of consumer protection and regulation in an area that could lend itself to fraudulent activities. I get to be the transactional attorney I wanted to be in law school and the litigator I learned to be in the first year or so of private practice. I am learning the intricacies of office politics and am exploring the parts of my personality that make me an effective/ineffective co-worker. While this isn't always a fun process, the work central to the office is fascinating and keeps me going back for more each morning.

Anna adjusted wonderfully to my work schedule. She attends "school" and is in a class creatively named the Infant 3 Class. Ms. Mallory is her teacher, and I don't know who is more attached to Mallory...me or Anna. Joseph and I are able to carpool to work, so we get to drop off and pick up Anna together. I can't deny that some mornings I still cry when I leave Anna, but I know that she is loved and well cared for at school. Joseph is able to talk me off the ledge on the days that I can't bear to leave her. Other days we both drop her off and then stand like zoo patrons at the window watching for her next move - it is almost always a big grin.

This morning the daycare owner asked me and Joseph about promoting Anna to the Pre-Toddler 1 Class. The question reduced me to tears for it was an admission that Anna is going to grow up at some point! She is actually well on her way...

Anna can wave bye and blow kisses; she can stand up without holding on to anything and can walk a step or two before sitting down. She says mama, dada, dog, bye, hey, and baba (bottle). She loves to explore! I can always make her laugh by tickling her neck. She loves to be outdoors with the trees and wind! Anna is such a sweet kid, so laid back and happy. She only fusses when she is tired or hungry.

Let's see...what else is happening in our lives? Oh, we bought a minivan! Danielle and Melissa, I am prepared for the "I told you so," so go ahead! We love the van, and I am absolutely okay with the vehicular symbol of my new lifestyle. Bring on the soccer games!