College Freshman

Remember what the toughest thing about your freshman year in college was?

Was it:

Meeting your roommate?
Choosing your classes?
Deciding which fraternity party to attend?
Which sorority to join?
How to get out of Intro to Calculus?

Those are all tough...but what about the under appreciated but valuable: time management

I never quite believed anyone who told me that. What could be so tough about it?

I quickly learned that it was essential to my survival! Learning to write a paper on the days where I didnt have class instead of sunbathing in front of the dorm, or going to the library instead of watching The Real World marathon. And once I got it down, I was a pro. I was probably more organized than a college student should be--I look back and wish I had been a little more carefree at times--not worrying if my day didn't go exactly how I had it listed in my planner.

So here I am again, learning the importance of time management. No, I don't spend my time watching reality TV marathons (although they come in handy at 3 am when a certain little fellow is hungry), but I'm learning the art of balancing LIFE.

Im currently enrolled in:

Intro to Poopy Diapers
The Art of Burping
Soothing a Fussy Babe 101
House Management
Reintroduction of Romance
Finance in 2009

and my favorite...a literature class:
To Return to Work, or Not Return to Work? That is the question...

The time management struggle started the day I got admitted to the hospital: it meant that I would be starting parenthood behind the curve--simply because I hadn't gotten everything organized and put in it's place--I wasn't done nesting. And it felt like freshman year all over again--I wanted to become a PRO again at balancing all these new tasks in my day.

It sounds so trivial and almost silly to even type, but it's the truth-it has been a real mental battle for me to learn that all life's little puzzle pieces weren't going to fall into place each and every day: and that it's OK if they don't.

Ive stressed for weeks that I havent gotten to blog, and that all my blog buddies would think that I had reached the end of my blogging days...which is so not the case. So that stress had to fall into the lesson of time management: I would get to it when I could, and that was OK! And I have to laugh, because as I sit here typing--I am sitting on the couch with the O-man asleep on my chest--this is multitasking at its sweetest.

And life moves at warp speed most days, and I dont even get a chance to look at my daily planner (yes, I still have one) It's amazing how much time can go by just sitting on the couch, while I cuddle this precious gift.

I really do appreciate all of the comments and thoughts on "My Girls"...we made the decision that was best for our family, and we've made it work. The O-man is doing well--can.not.believe. he will be 2 months next week! We've had to take him back to the pediatrician twice in between these monthly appointments due to the abundance of vomit that was landing on me and our couch. Poor guy has inherited his daddy's acid reflux issues...so we've had him on some meds for the past 2 weeks, and he's doing better--just means more frequent feedings for us, since we have to reduce the amount he gets at each feeding. But he's not having any growth issues-he's almost 11 lbs!

And life in general is finally leveling out--I am almost caught up from what I didn't get done before O-man got here--including the nursery! The piles of papers, laundry baskets and other misc tasks are being taken care of...but only when Im not spending precious moments with my 2 boys. I know I need to treasure all of those moments. The piles can wait.

My health: slowly but surely getting the energy back. At my post partum checkup everything went well-all my girly parts are back in place, and my OB said I could "return to normal activity" I have to continue iron pills for 6 months to get my anemia under control. He cleared me to do what I needed to do to get my back feeling better--I think Im going to stick with exercise and accupuncture for now. And about 2 weeks ago I had to go to an alergist--I was breaking out in a rash on my hands: turns out Im allergic to lanolin.

As far as those classes Im currently taking-some days I feel like Im barely passing..and there are some days I'd honestly give myself an A+...so there again lies the balance. Im sure Ill be touching on each of those more specifically over the weeks/months to come...but the final exam is coming up for that literature class: and I don't know how to prepare for it. D-Day is April 1st (how fitting) and that's this coming week. I don't know how I can go back, but I also don't know how we can make it on one salary. Big dilemma.

I have enjoyed starting out my Saturday blogging--I think I'll be brave and go ahead and give myself an A+ for the day!