Week 15

Hi ho, hi ho back to work mommy goes. And not only back to work but to a conference and out of town for three and a half days! Whew, I am still exhausted even thinking about all of this even though it is in the past now. I guess you can tell that week 15 started off with a bang. Let’s just say we don’t ease into things, we dive into them!

So how was my first day back to work and away from J? I have to say probably better than I imagined it would be (I did have my small crying session Thursday night as we were putting J to bed). I thought it would probably be easier for me to leave for work with J still sleeping (and not get one of her million dollar smiles that just melt your heart) so that is what I did Friday and was at work by 7am (well that and so I could leave early to go home to her). I was so busy at work that I can honestly say that she wasn’t constantly on my mind. Sure I missed her and thought about her but I knew she was in good hands with Grandma. I got a few text messages and a video from Grandma which was enough to keep me happy during the day. I was excited when I got home, even though J was sleepy and cranky but when she woke up from her little nap she gave me one of her huge smiles and you could tell she was happy to see her mommy.

Saturday morning I packed my bag, spent some time with J, fed her a bottle and then had to hit the road. I didn’t get as emotional as I thought I would be, I am really surprising myself that sappy me is handling all of this pretty well. My motto for the last couple of weeks has been “sooner or later you have to leave them, sooner is probably better for us all”, at least that is what I kept telling myself.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday I was so busy at the conference that I had to remember to make time to go to my room so that I could Facetime with J.  It also helped that everyone was asking about J and wanting to see her picture so I walked around for two days with daddy’s iPad showing her off! I do have to say though that Tuesday morning when I woke up I was ready to come home!

In the three days I was gone, I saw a change in her when I got back.  Since she was born she has been so alert but to me she seemed more attentive and curious as to what is going on. She is also doing better at  responding to her name when you call her in that she actually turns more towards you or stares at your with her giant eyes.  She is also holding things much better now (she is able to hold her Baby Einstein’s ball) and is taking swings at her friends that hang from her play mat. Daddy also got a little rude awakening while I was gone, a baby who was getting up earlier (maybe she heard mommy talking about what an excellent sleeper she has been since she was 7 weeks old) and was getting out of her swaddle, we have since gotten a new swaddle that is a little bigger and is sleeping a little better. I am also glad that J saved her first “cracking up” for her mommy. Check out the video from two posts ago if you haven’t already.

What did Daddy and Grandma do while mommy was gone? Some chores around the house, daddy finished painting closet doors, they went out to lunch, went to Home Depot to pick out plants so that we can spruce up the house, bought mommy two orchids and took great care of J.

That Wednesday was my official first day back in the office and once again I was busy. I got up that morning, got dressed, got J ready and fed, gave her a kiss and handed her off to Grandma. I think going back to work VERY busy and going to a conference where I was extremely busy, tired, and no I did not get restful sleep while I was there or get to sleep in, has made all of this easier.

Thursday we said goodbye to Grandma and hello to Nana, time to change the guards. Daddy also was going to have a few days away from J as he and Grandma were flying to Brasil for the weekend to spend time with family. Poor J has had all of these changes in a week and she is such a good little trooper!

Click here for a few pics of the week (most pictures were left up to daddy and Grandma to take).