Bittersweet

It's official, summer has begun. All of my teacher friends are rejoicing, and as much as I hate to be 'Debbie Downer', I am groaning and moaning. Why am I moaning and groaning you ask?

Here goes nothing...this is my twisted thought process.

Now that it's the official start of summer and the 2009-2010 school year has come to a close I am no longer on maternity leave. Yes, I understand that I still have July and August to be home with Cami (66 more days to be exact) but I am no longer on leave. I am now on the same schedule again as all of the other teachers in my county. I am now on summer break just like they are and come the end of August I will be back at work just like they are too.

I admit, every time I think about this I get a mix of emotions. I am a little bit excited to go back to work - especially since I am doing something new (I will be doing leveled literacy with struggling readers) and I'm only working part time - but at the same time I am DREADING it. I mean really, I have to leave Cami for hours each day to go help other children learn how to read?!? Can't someone pay me to stay home and teach my own child how to read (now that would be the life)? Anyways - there's no getting around it - I must go back to work. I will never regret our family decision for me to stay home the remainder of this school year to be with Cami and I will forever cherish the months and months (8 to be exact) of maternity leave that I was blessed to have with my first child. It's bittersweet to see this chapter in my life come to a close, but I keep telling myself where one door closes another opens.

Beach!

We were fortunate enough to be able to take Cambria to the beach for the first time and spend an entire week in a beachfront house in the Outer Banks. We had a FABULOUS time and we will always remember our first family vacation to the beach.

Here is how we spent much of our time at the beach....

Looking at the beautiful view off of the deck.

Sleeping in late and waking up to lots of snuggle time!
Continuing to snuggle while watching the beautiful sunset and sunrise from the deck.
Spending lots of time putting our toes in the sand and enjoying the beach.
And even spending some time relaxing in the pool (which Cami loved after warming up to it).

We can't wait to go back again next summer!

Catching Up

I obviously have A LOT of catching up to do on my blog. It has been almost 3 weeks since I've last posted and LOTS has happened!!

Cami was sick with one thing after another for an entire month and I am proud to announce that she is finally over everything and is back to her happy, healthy, growing self.

We went to the beach for an entire week to a gorgeous house right on the water and had a blast. It was so special to take Cami for the first time, put her toes in the sand and water and most importantly, RELAX and live the slow beach life.

Cami has somehow turned another month old now making her 8 months old! I still am amazed each time a new month birthday comes along because it just doesn't seem possible.

I know that was such a quick update, but I promise to post more in depth posts in regards to each of the things I mentioned above either today or tomorrow, so stay tuned!! Just wanted to let everyone know we're still alive, well and enjoying every day with our beautiful baby girl!