quickly

This morning Otto insisted Grandma be the one to take him to school, where he proudly led her to his coat hook and then to his classroom so she could meet his teachers. No fussing, no guilt trips, no last-minute demands for Puppy or a train or a book to take along. Sometimes life as a mom just isn't fair.

I realize he doesn't understand the concept of "baby" and has no idea that a major life change is on the horizon. But lately he's giving me a hard time, and I think he knows there's something going on. Something that makes me less reliable, beyond the usual pregnancy-brain issues.

At least, this is what I'm telling myself. It's either that or I need the Supernanny to intervene, and I like to think I'm not that desperate yet.

We had a great weekend with my in-laws, who made the long drive from Iowa to see us. Makes me wish we could compress distance by pinching roads together or something else equally sci-fi. I did not take any pictures. Again. I am lame.

And yesterday work was a zoo. I was locked in my office all day, finishing my tasks for the monthly meeting. Around 4 I went downstairs to check in with staff and take a break. I got to the circulation desk and was immediately swarmed.

D - I can't find cut-rate hand wipes at the grocery anymore, what are we going to do? Should we pay more? Should we send someone to the dollar store?

J - Hey! Did you see the news? Microsoft's new operating system got hacked! You have to watch for articles tonight, I think they're trying to kill the story!

A - If you're going downtown anyway, could you get me a sandwich? And D, do you want anything? Yes? OK, what do you want?

F - Someone brought back some books and they really smell like smoke. I wiped them off (with the wipes we're almost out of) and they still smell. Do we have any plastic bags and dryer sheets?

They were all talking at once, bless them, and I sort of managed to pay attention and answer appropriately while I wondered that they didn't seem to notice each other or the fact that 3 other people were trying to engage me in conversation. I left a few minutes later to take my break, sort of mentally shaking my head. I can spend hours at the desk on other days and get hardly any interaction at all, but if I'm absorbed in something else, whoa Nellie! Scarcity makes me popular. Just think how they'll feel after I'm on leave for 3 months.

I got home late, to my rebellious boy who refuses to do anything for me lately, and bedtime was no fun. But we got through it, and when he went to bed he was clean and wearing pajamas.

Oy. I'm tired.