Well, my maternity leave has come to an end, and I will spend the next weeks and months figuring out how to balance my family and work again. This past week has been so crazy and so busy that I've barley had time to sit down...well, except for when I'm sitting down under my desk at school where I am pumping twice each and every day. It's not something I enjoy, but keep reminding myself that I'm doing it for Jed....pumping so that I can continue to exclusively breastfeed him is certainly a commitment. I'm setting small goals, taking it a day at a time.
It's not easy leaving my baby every day. It's been emotional for me. This second week of work has actually been harder than the first. I've been nursing him at lunch, but he's usually falling asleep at that time. He also takes a nap when we get home from school. I think it's probably silly, but I'm afraid he's going to forget who I am. I've been really good at leaving work before 4:00 every day, which is huge for me. It's a goal I'm going to try my best to stick to. I am determined leave early to enjoy a few extra hours with my children each afternoon. Family first...family first. It's hard because I get wrapped up in my job, I love it, but I'm walking away at a decent time and that's that. I'm coming to terms with the fact that this just might not be my best year as far as extras in the classroom go. For example, my adorable Pilgrim/Native American bulletin board set from the 1970's is just sitting my box and it's not coming out this year.
One perk to being back at work, aside from seeing more of Evangeline every day, are my wonderful coworkers who have made me feel very cared for and welcomed when I returned. They've been so helpful and supportive. The first grade teachers left a Pizza Hut gift card on my desk, my maternity teacher left a card and stuffed toy for me to open from my class, Kathy Reynolds made us dinner, Jenny Stone gave me a gift card for diapers. So many people have made it a point to tell me that I was missed. Returning to a workplace where I am surrounded by wonderful people sure makes it a lot easier. Also, my sweet friend, Colleen sent me this adorable arrangement on my first day back which really brightened my day. Ironically, it was in a tea cup.
The first week flew by in a blur and the weekend wasn't what I would call a relaxing end to a hectic week. Evangeline had 2 birthday parties, we had church and Christmas pageant practice. The weekend was pretty much a blur too.
(The photo below is from weekend birthday party #1. Evangeline is pictured with Presley, Lauren and Harper.)
I just happened to have my camera in my purse and was able to snap a picture while waiting at a stop light on the way to Mom's house. Evangeline always likes to hold Jed's hand in the car. This sight from my rearview mirror is one that warms my heart. She really looks out for and adores him. She will hold his hand all the way from our house to Mom's.
And the little chubster sure does like his bath nowadays. He likes to wiggle his little self down as far as I will allow him in his little chair and dangle his legs over the side.
Jed slept almost 6 hours the night before I went back to work and has slept almost 6 hour stretches every night since then. He wakes up after 5 to 6 hours, I feed him and then he goes back to sleep for a few more hours. I think he must have sensed that his mama needed some extra sleep.
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