Note(s) to self

Dear self,

Please remember these things for the future:

- Yes, you've worked out for two weeks now.  But stepping on a scale every single morning is probably not helping you.

- When substitute teaching at religious school, do not wear the blouse you borrowed from a friend.  Or at least, not the first time you're away from the baby without pumping for more than four hours.  Exhibit A: third-graders lined up at the drinking fountain.  You feel very warm.  Your 15 year old teacher's aide all of sudden looks at you in utter confusion and says, "What HAPPENED?"  And you realize the entire right side of your blouse is completely soaked.  Having borrowed a hair dryer from the religious school educator, you then return to class... with huge milk stains all over your shirt.  Sigh.

- Also remember though, in your milk mortification, that you love teaching religious school.  There's no reward like the 8 year old who stated bluntly when he met you, "I hate Hebrew school, it's never fun!" and who then came up to you at the end of the day, held your hand, and said, "Wellll... the beginning of the day was boring, but the afternoon was fun."

- Your eldest son is very loving and sweet.  This is sometimes unhelpful, like when he opens the door for you to come out and blinks as Simcha runs past him.  Or when he feeds cookie to his little brother when your back is turned because Ari was so obviously interested.  Xander's first food was avocado, and he didn't seem to be that interested in solids for a long while.  Ari's first food is now sugar cookie with sprinkles.  Not so surprising that now Ari really wants to eat!

- If you have a daughter, never, ever name her Rachel.  On Friday I had a free facial and invited Rachel J. over (Max's mom), and it was great, really relaxing.  On Saturday the new rabbinic student Rachael and her husband Danyul came over to schmooze, and Rachael is quickly becoming a good friend.  Today I was supposed to get together with Rachel D., Liam and Jack's mom, for who I'm also pumping once a day, since she is having trouble nursing.  Do I know no women with other names?!  Although, hmm, on second thought, all these Rachels are really nice, maybe I should keep that name in mind.

- Try not to discuss service outlines with your three year-old in the room.  While making Play-Doh shapes with Xander I took a call from the cantor at my High Holiday congregation.  We discussed song cues and melodies that had been unclear.  Hanging up five minutes later, you say to your (you thought) Play-Doh engrossed son, "I was talking about teaching Torah for Rosh Hashanah services on Wednesday!"  Without missing a beat he picks up a different color Play-Doh and says, "I don't want to come. It will be boring for me."  You pause, not really not knowing what to say.  Unfortunately you think he's right.

- Said kids are awesome though, and you shouldn't underestimate them.  Xander's home sick from school with a fever today, and Jonathan already had his day booked with appointments.  You were all worried about finishing High Holy Day things with both kids in tow, but as you sit here typing (on a break from service outlines), he's sitting cutting with scissors and Ari is cooing to his blue stuffed lion in his swing.

- Try not to get addicted to kid's music.  You've listened to Laurie Berkner more than any of your own music lately, and strangely you're completely okay with that.