A small glimpse of my desk (cube) at work – the very same desk that I am in the process of cleaning up in anticipation of my impending maternity leave. This time my goals is to just get rid of as much as possible. I came across a box under my desk a couple of weeks ago that I had not looked at since I packed it up for my LAST maternity leave – over two years ago. The rule is that if you haven’t needed it for two years then you don’t need it now.

I may have to update my photos when I return. I took that photo of my nephews in the pool over 5 years ago and I am just torturing myself with a picture of Kei on a boat in Hawaii. Yes, I think a cube makeover is in order when I return. I mean I do spend up to 40 hours a week there.

Sunday – another day another bookstore, but this time it was an outing for the whole family. What started as an attempt to choose doorhandles for our new doors (what sort of hardware store is closed on Sunday?!), ended at Powells – possiby the best bookstore on the planet – and rotating Sushi for lunch. The day ended with yet another nap. Geez, you’d think I was pregnant or something.

A Good Day.

Kei was gone all day on Saturday for a training course so Thomas and I had a chance to spend the day together. He was in a great mood and we had a fantastic time together. We started at the optometrist where Thomas amused himself for a whole hour while I had my eyes tested. He started by checking out the contents of his backpack ( a few books, toys etc. that we chose before we left the house) and then he moved on to “arranging” all the magazines.

Next up – coffee (for me) and a muffin (for him) at Peet’s. We just sat and shared the muffin while we enjoyed each others’ company. Then it was on to the mall where we made it just in time for story hour at Barnes & Noble. They read this great kids book that we ended up buying on the way out.

Ran a few more errands – Clinique gift time at Macys, some stuff for Mum’s impending visit and some new shoes for Thomas (pictured above). Then it was home for a well deserved nap (for both of us).

The best part – I felt completely in the moment. I really miss our Wednesday’s together so it was wonderful to make the most of this opportunity to spend some time with my boy. I realize time with just the two of us is going to be harder and harder to find in just a few weeks so I am cherishing these moments while we have them.

Oh, and the cutest comment of the day? Thomas was sitting in his stroller with his hand on his face. I asked him if he was tired and he looked at me and said “No. I’m just thinking”. Sometimes I can’t believe he has only been on this planet for 2 and a half years.

The long walk home.

Kei and I both walked to pick Thomas up from daycare on Friday and I finally found out why it usually takes them so long to get home. There is a park between daycare and home and it seems Thomas almost always wants to walk through the park on the way home. And when I say “walk through” I actually mean run, jump and play on the gazebo (apparently its a pirate ship) for a VERY long time before checking out the baseball diamond and picking up every rock he can find. Yes, it was a LONG walk home.