Catching Up.

Tomorrow marks my return to work.  This return is something to appreciate, as I wasn't sure with Ellie's health if I'd be back working at all this year.  The great news is that I'm back, I'll be close to home, and we have childcare worked out.

I'm trying to catch up on everything under the sun before I go back.  I have dinners frozen so that I can spend more time with Ellie when I get home.  I'm excited and nervous, as I think any mom returning to work knows.

Following our beach trip, we've had a week of soaking up summer fun, enjoying less humid weather, organizing the house, and concluding everything, today I ran a 20 kilometer race that went... eh, not great.  Not bad, but not great.  The first eight miles featured six miles of uphill, and my legs felt like jello by the time I headed down.

Sometimes, you just have to do the best you can with the day you have.  My race should have been awesome.  The weather was wonderful, I'm in shape to run well.  But it didn't happen.

After a shower and a nap, I'm feeling better.  I want to get out and enjoy the last day before work, but rain is falling so I'm taking a moment to relax while Matt and Ellie run errands.  With Ellie's first heart day coming up, and as she nears the 18 month mark, I find myself thinking back.  I'm so grateful for what Ellie is able to do, even when I'm sad she's not walking yet.  I've been in a place of really being able to appreciate who Ellie and everything that makes her unique.  She is hardworking, slightly naughty, funny, sweet, and determined.  She'll walk when she's good and ready, and she'll do it her way.

Note the chalk on Ellie's lip!