Three months together.

Tonight marks the end of my 28-days-without-a-break parenting streak and the start of Jeremy's research block. It feels like we have waited forever for this day to come. Residency has been exhausting and harder than we imagined it would be, on all of us. We've tried to make the best of Jeremy's four days off per month and his vacation time.

But the fact of the matter is - four days off per month is not enough. It's never enough even if the days are filled with laughter and love and togetherness. Especially when those days are filled with laughter and love and togetherness. Weeks go by and sometimes Owen stops asking if Daddy will be home for dinner or bedtime. When he stops asking, my heart sinks.

Jeremy was supposed to have an 8-month research block starting today. A month or so ago there were changes within the program which threatened that time. Time we had spent three years waiting for. After things were sorted out it was determined he would get three months now (July/August/September) and three months later (April/May/June). Six months instead of eight, broken up. To say we were upset is an understatement but six months broken up is better than nothing.

For the next three months Jeremy will be doing research in a lab on his own time. No set hours, no requirements. No call. No hospital shifts. No assholes to deal with.

We need this time to reconnect. Jeremy needs this time with the kids and I need a break from having everything resting on my shoulders. We have grand plans of travel, pool, family, camping, festivals, concerts. Togetherness.

Three months of us as a family of four.

 Words cannot describe how excited our little family is for these next three months. Shabbat Shalom!