I've barely heard from Steve in days. I finally exchanged with him a bit on Skype chat yesterday and he called quickly today to say hi to Griffin. He said they are crazy busy, all kinds of supplies coming in and other activities, plus the staffing situation with his team has been pretty fluid, people getting moved to this location or that, to fill gaps, but without much notice. So he's lost some team members, and then gained others, all in all making it tough to plan and get a groove. They've also had some high profile visits, both external and internal, which takes time as well.
The good news is that at this point, he's guessing he'll be on track to come home on his original return ticket, which is for December 15th. It'll be so nice to have him home for a bit of time before the holidays. If nothing else but to be with Griffin so I can shop kid-free....haha! But also because he missed most all of November and December last year, leading up the Hurricane Sandy response.
As for us, we've passed week 2 with mixed results. Some days Griffin is a charm, very helpful and sweet, and I really enjoy spending time with him. I'm trying hard to actually do things with him, instead of just the usual bustle where you sort of flow through life and to-do items, kid trailing along. That's easier w two parents bc one can be having quality time while the other is running errands, folding laundry, getting dinner, insert 100 more things here. I think he needs the extra attention with Steve gone, because there is a real effect on him, but it's not really expressed yet. I've just started to sense it better I think.
The flip side is that he can really act out too, which is usual terrible threes but amplified, bc of the situation. It can bring a mom to her knees!! But I'm getting better at handling that nuclear stage than I used to be, too. Of course, life wouldn't be crazy enough unless you threw the dog in there- poor Bentley is reacting like I've never seen- he's shredding everything in sight if left out when we're gone!! A large basket, blinds, curtains, shades, throw pillow, newspaper- all shredded, from a couple different days of him being home alone. So I lugged his travel crate up from the basement and he's hanging in there now. Frankly I sort of think he likes it- he goes in a lot on his own. The dog has serious anxiety issues. Poor guy!
We're thankful to have such a great community of friends and neighbors here, they all keep asking what they can do to help. I keep saying, ask me in a week or two (once I start to really lose it!). Also nice to know in case something really happens- Griffin flirted with a stomach bug this weekend that ended up not really being anything, but I panicked at the idea of the full-on scenario! Luckily I was kept sane knowing I have good people nearby to lean on. Here's to that!!
I leave you with a cute video clip Griffin made for Steve, of a new song he learned in school!
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