I have been back to work for a little over a month now, and while the transition has not been totally seamless we are surviving. We have developed a work night routine and seem to be functioning reasonably well on severe lack of sleep. On work days I literally do not stop! This entry is especially dedicated to my Son. SOMEDAY I am going to make it mandatory reading material, possibly at some ungodly early hour during his teen years.
My day begins at 5:00 am. I take a quick shower, get dressed and start the coffee! I pack my lunch, get something started in the crockpot for dinner and scarf a quick breakfast. Once my car is packed with everything, including my new best friend -the breastpump - I retrieve Levi from bed and we have our "20 minutes of bliss". There is something so sweet about nursing your baby in the serenity of the early morning quiet. Possibly because I know how many hours will pass before we have the opportunity to cuddle again. In a morning of rushing and hurrying these precious minutes center and relax me. I put Levi back down and my Mother-in-Law arrives around 6:00 am. We are SO BLESSED to have a Grandma who is able and willing to come to our home and watch Levi. It is a real comfort to me knowing he is in her loving, capable hands and able to spend these days in the familiarity of his own space. We are so grateful to her! Around 6:15 am it is off to work. I have mastered the art of hands free pumping while driving. I hook myself up and head out, one plus of driving to work in the semi-darkness! I make sure to follow all traffic laws, as I am sure that would make for an awkward traffic stop!
Despite the long workday, time really flies! My job is go, go, go! Trying to fit in three pumping sessions has proven quite challenging but I am committed and taking it one day at a time. So far I have been able to keep up with Levi as far as supply and demand, for which I am very happy and thankful. I typically get home around 8:00 pm. I unpack my car, take a quick shower and scoop my baby into my arms! We nurse and read a story while my Husband finishes dinner, a blissful 30 minutes! Once the baby is in bed it is time for a quick dinner, 30 minutes of TV and relaxing together before we hit the kitchen to wash, dry and pack it all up again for the next day. WHEW! Hectic does not begin to describe these days.
Despite the chaos of a two person working family, we are making it "work". We especially try to enjoy our rare days off together. I anticipate life will only increase in chaos as we add more commitments and as our family expands even further (someday in the FUTURE - no April fools joke here). I must admit having a career outside the home helps me to put my days with Levi in perspective and gives me a renewed patience and enthusiasm with my Son. I am really enjoying watching him grow and learn. Being his Mommy is my favorite full time job!
I remind myself daily that there are no perfect solutions. We do the best we can with what we have. I am trying to remember to count my many blessings and slow down to enjoy him as much as possible. Even in the difficult moments, I look at my Husband and my Son and I can smile. I smile because I am so very happy and even in the craziness of the day to day, "this is our life".
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