Here is Cate and Jane in the bathtub on Monday night. They prop washrags on the side of the tub and then make pictures with the bubbly water. It’s becoming an obsession to the point that Jane is completely unwilling to get out of the tub. Like ever. Screaming and howling, “pictures, pictures.”

This week has gone remarkably well. The girls are going to Grammy’s house on Mondays about twice a month and then at home with a wonderful nanny the other Mondays and then preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I started the girls at their new preschool last week and so we wouldn’t all have our first days on Monday. It was a good decision. I had my mother freak-out moments but then didn’t have to go to work on top of it. And now that I am at work, I know my girls are settled and happy, and I can have my own freak-out moments. This job is really the best thing ever. I am happily overwhelmed. Going from a big academic library to full-time motherhood to a small hospital library is enough to make my brain explode. But in a good way.

I spent a chunk of naptime today doing PubMed searches for a nurse in the hospital and it was like coming home. Nerd alert: I love searching databases. Seriously, besides reading a novel or eating cheese, it’s my favorite activity. I love it.

A couple of other fun things:

michael scofield, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

Michael Scofield, our dear Loma Linda friend, stopped by on Friday night on his way to Portland. He meant to stay 30 minutes but ended up hanging out with us for more than two hours. He is welcome anytime.

luke and jane, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

Jane loves Luke Duerre. She calls him Lukey. I think it is adorable. Sherry took this picture.

the trifecta, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

The following books arrived in one box for me last night. Can you even imagine a better combination? As soon as I finish Persuasion (I know. Comfort reading, what can I say?)

Cate loves to “decorate.” Once she saw the Pilgrim People had made their annual appearance, the little scene above has gradually added Mrs. Potato Head and three dancing princesses. I think Gresham helped with the princesses. I kind of love it and can’t really seem to move the newcomers back to their regular places.

On Monday I had orientation at the hospital. It was mostly okay. A long day and I think hospitals don’t know what to do with non-clinical people. Needle sticks? Really? I got home a bit later than I thought and the wonderful person we have watching the girls a couple of Mondays a month had a stricken look on her face. Shortly before I came home, they had been reading on the couch when Cate just started throwing up. All of over the rug, the sofa, and herself. Anyway, I got everything cleaned up and she continued to throw up until bedtime and then slept all night and was fine the next morning. I was in bed and asleep by 8:30.

My actual job starts on Monday. The girls started their new preschool yesterday. They were a few minor bumps but I think it will be good overall. A lot of change. We are all thankful to be home together this morning. It’s so sunshiney even! I think we are going to walk to the library for more books and maybe even coffee and a cookie…

Yesterday I finished a lot of projects around the house that I wanted to get done before I went back to work. I ordered the girls this personalized memory game from Pinhole Press for Christmas. I have ordered a few of their photo books in the past and am so impressed with the quality. Here are two pictures that made it into the game:

Cate and her baby, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

JJ and her baby, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

Today was to be a busy day. This is Cate’s last week at her current preschool and this morning was to be the much-anticipated parade of costumes. Followed by ballet this afternoon. And then a Halloween event at church that included candy, costumes AND a new Veggie Tales movie.

I checked on Cate last night at 10:30 right before I went to bed and she felt a little warm. Sure enough, a fever this morning. She is handling the change of plans pretty well. We are coping by watching Winnie-the-Pooh and staying in our jammies.

lack of inertia, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

Both girls are taking naps now and I am sitting by the fire with the little setup above. I have been a model of efficiency the last month or so. I am trying to finish up a lot of projects and paperwork and details before my job starts. I haven’t really allowed myself the luxury of afternoon reading. But today, yes. Two books came in the mail today. Jane Mount’s The Ideal Bookshelf. Absolutely lovely and beautifully put-together and the Canal House Cooks Every Day cookbook. Beautiful photographs. Also reading the novel Rules of Civility by Amor Towles on Chris’ suggestion. Both Eleanor and I love.

So I am going back to work in a few weeks! I am going to be the new medical librarian at St. Peter’s hospital (where Telfer works) but it’s PT.  Three days a week – two days in the library and then one day at home.

This has been in the works for quite a few months but has proceeded pretty slowly – in a good way mostly. I am obviously really excited. It’s time for me to go back to work. Telfer’s supportive and I think it will be a good change for our family. It’s been difficult to figure out all the care arrangements for the girls but I think we are at a place where everyone is comfortable. Cate won’t be able to stay in preschool at the children’s museum and she’s sad and I’m sad but I think we will all transition okay. I get to be nothing but Cate and Jane’s mom two days a week (four if you count the weekend). I think it will be good. If you think about us, please pray for peace as we figure this out together.

It’s almost two weeks since I posted and it’s been hopping around here.

First off, make sure you change your bookmark for our blog to http://www.telfandrea.com because the old typepad blog will go away sometime in the next week.

This picture is one of two pumpkins Telfer and Cate carved yesterday. The other is a witch because Cate wanted to scare the boys two doors down from us (who are very into Halloween). They are 13 and 9 so I am not sure this is the best way to scare them.

again, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

We picked out the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch last weekend. Western Washington pumpkin patches are an opportunity to wear your rainboots and squelch around in the mud. We mostly had fun. Cate had a couple of moments and a wasp somehow landed in the pocket of my vest and when I put my poor little hand in, I got stung on the pad of my thumb. I was carrying a cup of hot apple cider and managed NOT to fling the near boiling liquid on anyone.

happy birthday telfer!, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

Telfer turned 33 on Sunday. It was a busy weekend and we had trouble finding a babysitter but we managed to go out to lunch with Telfer’s family and I sent him to see Argo in the theater. He’s pretty easy to please but I think he had a good birthday. And that ends the Griffith birthday season for another year. Next year we are definitely going to have *one* birthday party for both girls. As long as Cate agrees (she will be FIVE so she might have a very big opinion).

finished!, a photo by telfandrea on Flickr.

It feels like a long time ago but RaChelle and i did manage to finish that half-marathon a couple of Sundays ago. It was actually kind of fun and did NOT rain. We ate at Tasty n Sons in Portland afterwards. So good. And then I drove on home. I am still so thankful that I can drive places rather than fly.