When I was younger, I always thought that Labour Day was the same as New Year’s Day.  It didn’t make sense that the new year officially started in January.  September was when the new school year begins, when my birthday happens, and when life resumes its normal pace after a  lazy summer.  And I loved all of that!!

I still love September, and I especially love the start of fall, my favorite season.  Why is fall my favorite season?

1. The return of reasonable temperatures that are seasonally appropriate (I’m looking at you, June 2011).  I’m not one who enjoys extended periods of warmth.

2. Windy, rainy days that don’t make you feel bad for staying home and watching a movie and enjoying some comfort food.

3. Wearing sweaters, skirts and tights.  I <3 tights.

4. Walking the dog down a path framed with coloured leaves.

5. Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day. The long weekends!

6. An inevitable IEEE trip somewhere (this season there are two trips: Jersey City and Mississauga).

7. The start of school, classes, clinics, etc.

8. The return of loved TV shows and the start of new ones.

9. Winter is something to look forward to still, not swear at while in the middle of it.

10. Darker evenings mean an easier time getting Baby J to sleep, and darker mornings mean a tad more sleep. For now.

11. Planning for Christmas. Ya, I said it.

12. Hallowe’en! (Full disclosure: I’ve never been a huge fan of Hallowe’en, but having a kid makes it more fun this year.)

13. The return of the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, and knowing that Peppermint Mochas are coming soon!

14. Fall running. I don’t like getting too sweaty, and hate wearing shorts when I run. Fall temperatures take care of that for me. :)

15. … SO many more things that can’t be verbalized.

… and what do I have to show for it? A healthy, happy baby boy who seems to be reading the development charts and following them perfectly.  A dog who is a bit jealous, but is learning to live with less attention. An awesome hubby who has become an excellent, patient father. A house that’s no cleaner or more organized than it ever was pre maternity leave, but that’s okay, as long as the laundry gets done. A bit of a tan from those few sunny days we’ve had that I can stroll with Baby J.  A better appreciation for SAHMs and anyone undertaking childcare professionally.

… and what do I miss? Sleep (I’m getting some and I’m not complaining, just being honest). The ability to have a margarita without planning around it (breastfeeding is awesome is so many ways though). Work (yes, a bit). Travel (soon to be rectified, hopefully).

… and what surprises have there been? How quickly the months have gone by. How slow some days can seem. How interesting it can be to just watch Baby J from day to day. How much love and pride I can feel for my family. How a sunny day makes so much difference when you aren’t in an office. How great coffee can be after a difficult night. How different things actually are. How little some other things have changed.

… and what do I have to work on for the next six months? Patience (especially at 5am). Organization. Taking advantage of those quiet moments to get things done or do nothing without feeling guilty. Reaching out and staying connected to friends. Learning to ask for help. Learning to say “No”.

(Anyone else can too, but it’s not your birthday.)

MVI_4965

Let’s see if this works, shall we? A boy and his giraffe…

For those who wonder, daytime TV is seriously lacking – talk shows, soaps, reruns (though Spike DOES show a lot of CSI, which I enjoy) are the typical fare. But the ads definitely target “older adults” (walk-in tub anyone?) and moms. And despite my self-proclaimed superior intelligence, I find myself affected by the ads in ways I wouldn’t think of. I’m starting to care about how my house smells, and what germs are lurking because I’m not using the right anti-bacterial wipe. But besides pushing a certain product, advertising offers subliminal pushes as well. All the actors are, well, skinny, and well-dressed, with perfect kitchens and living rooms and gardens. And while I know they are actors on a set, some part of my brain is now more worried than ever before about these things and how inadequate my house and housekeeping skills are, and how I look (granted, I am carrying “baby weight”… Maybe I’ll blog on that too). It makes no sense, yet it’s getting to me!

I only hope that logic can continue to prevail, or that the weather stays good this spring and upcoming summer. I plan on switching off the TV and enjoying real life, commercial-free.