My First Week Back At Work Was….

Not what I expected!

It was….

…..Plain Awesome!

I felt welcomed by my co-workers and even people who I just passed in the hallways.

I was greeted by my co-worker with flowers and chocolate.

In the bathroom, one lady even said to me, “We missed your singing”. (She was not a co-worker btw)

My boss took me out to lunch on my first day back.

My birthday was on July 4th, so in addition to being “welcome back” gestures, the flowers, chocolate and lunch were birthday gifts too!

Leaving Ezaias was hard, but I was able to handle it!

What helped is the fact that I don’t take him to the sitter, daddy does.

So I leave him home with daddy each morning.

I also mentally prepared myself for my return.

Reading “Milk Memos” helped as well! (Read it! It's great for all you moms and future moms who will return to work soon - or not so soon)

Waking up at 6:30 (to make it to work by 8 am) was not bad either.

Before Ezaias, I worked at 9:30 am. So it has been an adjustment.

I have been able to pump twice a day and while it seems a little inconvenient, it’s all worth it! (Medela Pump In Style Pump Rocks!!)

Ezaias is completely comfortable with his sitter and when I pick him up at the end of the day, he has the biggest smile on this face.

He and the sitter have a great relationship already!

I didn’t feel guilty for leaving him, rather I felt great about being able to help provide for him and make a great life for him!

I missed him like crazy, but thinking about him gave me great motivation to excel in all my tasks/responsibilities so that I make sure my boss never wants to let go of me so I can continue to provide for Ezaias!

This week has gone by pretty smoothly (and fast too) and I am really grateful for that!

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and words of encouragement before my return to work and during this week!!

XOXO!

Please share with me some positive things you remember about your return to work.

Back To Work Blues - Already!!!

This morning seemed to be a normal Monday morning as I got up to wake and feed Ezaias.

I brought him to our bed, fed him and then played with him while daddy slept next to us.

After changing him and a little more playtime, I put Ezaias down for a nap and went back to join hubby in bed to catch some more z's.

(On most mornings, I'm dashing out of the house to make it to a 9 o clock gym class and leave the changing duties, etc. to daddy. I am so glad this wasn't a gym morning though.)

It dawned on me that I had 2 more short weeks at home with my baby. 

I started to feel, well honestly, sad. 

As I lay there, I listened to Ezaias talk and play. 

I didn't feel tired anymore. 

I wanted to spend some time with him. 

I walked over to his room. 

He was laying on his tummy - babbling. 

When he sensed my presence, he looked up at me with most gorgeous puppy dog look ever.

 I would have loved to capture that moment with my camera, but I didn't want to move. 

He stared at me for a few seconds. 

Then I smiled at him and said "Hey Papa" and he flashed his usual big, bright smile. 

I felt my eyes start to water and as I wiped them away, he looked @ me with the most concerned look in his eyes. 

It was as if he knew. 

I wiped the tears away, smiled at him and he smiled back a smile that made me feel like he was saying "Its Going To Be Ok, Mommy". 

He then laid his head down.

*Written as I sat on the arm of the rocking chair in room, as I watched him toss and turn, find his finger (to suck) and then drift off to sleep.*

After he fell asleep, I went back into our room, where hubby was still sleeping.

I cuddled up next to him and he asked me if my nose was stuffy (lol).

I said "No. I'm just sad that I only have 2 more weeks at home with my baby".

He chuckled and  still half-asleep said "Just enjoy him."

When he realized that I was still crying, he held me real tight and rubbed my back until I drifted off to sleep.

(Lol, I guess there may be two babies in the house!)

I have enjoyed 16 lovely weeks at home with Ezaias and he will be 18 weeks when I return to work.

This is going to be HARD!

What feelings did you have before you went back to work and after you returned to work?  What advice can you give to a mom like me who is already experiencing the back to work blues?