We are into week 2 of our new normal. Last week was N's first week back at work. That means he works out of town for four nights. He leaves on Sunday afternoon and returns on Thursday evening. Last summer when we started this routine, it wasn't a huge transition for us. He was working nights and going to school during the day. I got to see him only on the weekends, except for the occasional grunt in passing in the mornings. Zoe and I were used to doing things on our own.
That all changed last fall when N just did school. He didn't have to work and just focused on finishing his last year of college well. As a bonus, he was home every evening. He joined the worship team and became a leader in AWANA. We had an amazing nine months of growing as a family. Our marriage is better than it's ever been. His relationship with the girls is better than it's ever been. God greatly blessed our time together.
Enter the new normal. We've been here before, but this time is different. I forgot how much I ran around in the evenings taking care of things. I forgot how little I actually sat before. I'm not complaining, I'm blessed to have a family to take care of. It's just taking some getting used to.
Last week was rough. Zoe missed her daddy and had a hard time sleeping because of her emotions. Toby was completely thrown for a loop and was very upset with N. One morning he even pooped on N's side of the bed. Yeah, you read that right, he pooped ON.OUR.BED! I can't even tell you how quickly that comforter was in the washing machine with bleach!
I was working on little sleep, lots of emotion and none of us really had a great week. Then N came home, loved on all of us and things seemed to be right in the world. Sunday afternoon I was bracing myself for the rough week ahead. In our experience it takes about 6 weeks before the new normal because just normal. During this time there is worry, lost sleep, stupid fights and many prayers.
I'm very happy to report, week 2 is so far a 180 degree turn of week 1. Toby hasn't taken care of his business on our bed or in our house at all. He's playful with me, sleeps through the night and is back to his Toby-self. I can't even tell you how wonderful that is because N's the dog whisperer in our house and I just buy the dog food.
Zoe's going to bed all by herself without much wailing and gnashing of teeth! She's sleeping through the nightm, which hasn't happened for at least 8 weeks. She usually calls for me at least once a night.
Between Toby's adjustment and Zoe's sleeping, this mamma is getting some sleep. It's amazing, but I'm not as teary or cranky. Who knew! Praise God for week 2, it's just what this mamma needed.
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