Back to Work

Well, I made it through my first week back at work after 12 wonderful weeks at home with our new babe. To say the return to work was easy would be a lie, and to say there weren't about a thousand tears shed (not by Emma, but rather by her mother) would be an even bigger lie. But we all made it through the week and are here to tell the story.

First Day Back to Work and to Day Care

I really like my job, I work with wonderful colleagues, and I knew I would be returning to exciting projects and good opportunities. All of that was little consolation, however, when I was faced with handing my sweet precious Emma over to complete strangers on Monday morning. I had decided weeks before that I was not going to agonize over my return to work so as not to spoil my remaining days at home with Emma. That was a great plan, UNTIL it hit me like a ton of bricks on Sunday night that the day had come. Gone were the days of mid-week play dates, late morning naps with Emma on the couch, afternoon jogs around the lake . . . gone were the days of spending nearly every minute with my girl.

Monday morning Jason and I rose early, only to find out we hadn't risen early enough! Trying to get ourselves ready before Emma wakes for the morning is a tricky adventure and one that we were only successful at a couple times last week. But we are starting to find our stride, and as long as Emma cooperates, it works pretty well.

I have tried to ease my way into the return by walking up to her day care in the afternoons to feed Emma and get in some hugs and kisses. Overall, Emma has appeared largely unaffected by this major transition, which is a huge relief. She is always happy to see us at the end of the day and just as cuddly as ever when we get home. The only real change we noticed is she is TIRED. All that playing at day care must really wear a girl out, because she has been sleeping like a champ all week!

We have been very happy with our day care. It didn't take long for Emma to win over all of her teachers with her big smiles and happy disposition. Emma spends her days playing with her new friends, trying to learn how to nap with all of the noise and activity around her, and (hopefully) looking forward to Mom and Dad's big hugs at the end of the day! After one of my afternoon trips to day care the teachers put Emma in a chair to try her hands at finger painting! It was a riot to see her little hands all covered in paint as she tried to figure out what to do . . . she eventually smeared her paint covered digits all over the page, making her very first masterpiece. I'm not sure we have a Monet on our hands just yet, as she appeared to bore with the project pretty quickly!

Jason is staying home with Emma on Wednesdays, and I found that even though I didn't get to see Emma on Wednesday afternoon, I found it much easier to be at work knowing Emma was home with her Daddy. I think they had a great day (but I'll let Jason fill you in on that!).

One last wipe of my eyes before I head back out to snuggle up Emma. Thanks to everyone for all of the well wishes and positive thoughts last week!

Who wouldn't want to spend all of their days with this adorable bug?