I’ve been back at work for a week, and I guess it’s not so bad. Morale at work is at an all-time low in my 10 years there because of the layoffs looming. I had more then 20,000 messages in my inbox upon my return (most of them were spam and computer-generated notices). After a week of filtering, filing, and taking action, I’m down to under 100 messages to deal with. The uncertainty of upper management’s actions really doesn’t have me all that worried–it’s good work and all, but it is just a job. After two months off, I feel like I have my priorities more in order.

Tara just went in (a little late) for her six-month checkup, and we were surprised to find that she’s still just barely under 20 pounds. I was sure she weighed more¹. We also discovered that she had a mild ear infection; she’s so mellow, we didn’t even notice. She has been waking up more at night, what with having had a cold, followed by the ear infection, the transition to day care, and the resultant bad napping mixed in. She’s a trooper, though.

Every day it seems that Anna is becoming more of a “girly girl.” She has ten times as much interest in clothes and accessories than the rest of the family combined. I have no idea where she’s getting it from. I suspect that some day a DNA test will reveal a pink, sparkly, recessive gene has completely taken over Anna’s personality.

Today we join a playground outing to the world’s smallest water park, which is found out in East County. Anna showed no interest for the first half hour or so, then finally ventured in and manage to be the only child to play in the water area without actually getting wet. Thereafter, she spent the rest of the time setting up her towel, laying out, and reading and gossiping with her friends. I am not making this up. Parents of older girls always tell me how bad things get when they become teenagers, but I really think I’m most of the way there. Heck, I’m looking forward to the point that she’ll actually sleep in.

¹ One of our playgroup friends explained, “She’s just fluffy.”