Back to Work...

Well...
Yesterday was my first day back at work since Michael was born.
It was interesting.

I started my day at 5am.  My little man must have know that his Mommy needed a good nights sleep cause he slept from 10pm - 6am.  That's right, I had to wake up before he did!  I didn't know how long it would take to get all the little things ready for daycare, and I didn't want to be late for work.  Turns out that 5am is the perfect time to wake up!

I talked to him about how Mommy wasn't going to be hanging out with him today and that he'd be okay and I'd see him later.  That's when I started to tear up.  I had to turn away before I really let the tears loose!  Then Rob picks him up and gets ready to feed him.  He turns back around and says "Did you give him a kiss?"  That just about put me over the edge!  I gave him a little kiss (okay, lots of little kisses) and I was out the door.

Thankfully, I didn't have to be the one to drop him off at the center.  Rob had that privilege.  I called him about 2 minutes after he dropped him off to see how it went.  He said he thought he was talking too much and giving them too much info cause they finally told him to have a good day and they'd see him later:).

I spent my morning in the OR circulating for 3 c-sections.  It extremely wierd being in a room that just 3 months ago, I was the one laying on the table.  I got a little teary during the first delivery just reliving that moment of when I saw Michael for the first time.  I told the scrub tech to remind me if I forgot to do anything cause I hadn't been there for 3 months.  She said not to worry cause she hadn't been there for 4 months!  What a team we were!  All of my co-workers were so great with welcoming me back and asking to see pictures.  It was a great way for me to see pics of my little man too! It was also great to have some adult conversation. 

I didn't want to be the typical, annoying, first-time mom and call daycare to see how the day was going.  Since I was busy in the OR, it didn't really bother me until around 1pm.  I was contemplating calling and asked my co-workers what they thought.  Their response?  "You haven't called yet?!?!  I would have called by 8am!  You're a first time mom and it's his first day of daycare!  Call them!"  Thank guys!  You made me feel so much better!  It turns out that he was having a good day and only cried when it was time to eat.  I also didn't hear any screaming in the background which made me feel better.

When I got home, I snuggled that little guy and enjoyed every minute of the bedtime bottle and sleepiness that follows.  He also must have known that his mom needed a recovery nights sleep after that first day cause he slept for 8 hours again! 

Being back to work definitely makes me enjoy those days home, that's for sure!  I am truely blessed!

My First Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day and I am thrilled to be celebrating my very first!

My sisters (sans Jo), aunts and I actually started the Mother's Day festivities yesterday at the Mall of America.  For the past 4 years, we have been volunteering for the Race for the Cure instead of actually walking it.  I know it's a thrilling experience and seeing all those people walking in honor of, in memory of, or just because.  For us, the thrill is being able to register and see all those faces one on one.  We get to hear their stories.  One woman I registered yesterday was from out of town.  She and her relatives from Norway were leaving this morning and were not able to be at the race/walk.  She just happened to be walking by and asked if she could donate.  As we got to talking, she told me she had been diagnosed in December after finding a small lump during a self-breast exam.  This lump had not been detected on x-ray or mammogram.  Today she is doing well and is in remission following surgery and radiation.

Along those same lines, our family is thankful for the initiative 2 of my aunts have shown.  Two of my maternal aunts have been diagnosed with breast cancer and both found it on their own.  One has been a survivor for over 13 years and one was recently diagnosed and is still goin through treatments.  We are thankful that we can celebrate their recovery and health with them!  Kinda makes me want to do and exam right now!


Today, we spent the day at my parent's house; had some brunch, played some cards and just hung out. All of the family was there except for my sister, Jo, who had to work again. Then I realized that if I weren't on maternity leave, I'd be at work too! Thank God for maternity leave!  Here are some pics from the day.  Please note that Miss Ava is holding Michael in all of the pics.  She's quite the persistant little thing!

Ava singing "Twinkle Twinkle" to a fussy Michael



All 5 cousins!

Papa and Nanny with the Grandkids

Wyatt doing "tummy time" with Michael

Blowin' Bubbles

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms and Mommas-to-be!



Michael and Harley

Another question we've been getting alot is...
"How is Harley doing with the baby?"

The answer?  He pretty much ignores him.  He'll occasionally sniff around his swing or at his toes, but all-in-all, he's shown little interest.  We'll just wait and see what it's like when Michael is a little more mobile and figures out what his hands can do!

Michael is also 11 weeks old today.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  Only one more week until I have to go back to work.  I'm trying not to dwell on that fact though.  It'll be nice to get out of the house and have some more adult interaction, but I dread him going to daycare.  Shocker, huh?  I don't think it would be so bad if he still wasn't a fussy/screaming baby.  I can tolerate it.  I'm his mom.  But what about a stranger?  Will they hold him till he falls asleep?  Will he sit and cry in a bouncer or swing?  I just can't think about it or I'll be a bawling mess.  instead I'll enjoy these next 9 days.

I'll just look at these lovely pictures.  Something that makes those fussy moments disappear!  And it's all because I talk to him and sing him Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  I love that little face!