Maternity Leave Is Over – The Count Down Begins

I know I am lucky to have the opportunity to have a full year of maternity leave to be able to provide breast milk feedings, love, home-made baby food, naps in my arms, and with the added bonus of providing all that love to my eldest son also! The money is not the same as a full salary, but, definitely worth the sacrifice. I keep playing the lottery, because someone’s got to win. And I’ll have no chance (even if very slim) of winning if I don’t at least play.

I know of a few stay at home moms. How awesome to be able to make the sacrifices financially and in your career to be able to enjoy those first few years before they go to school. With Franklin’s health, I’m the one who does the 3-hr commuting every weekday. I’m not totally complaining. I mean, I would love to stay at home with the kids, but why want for something you can’t have? I’ll just make my lemonade and focus on the positives. The ‘big’ daily decision of where to go for lunch, who to go with, coffee breaks, donut treats, reading my books/play my ds/listen to my ipod on the train home, escaping the big poo diapers, tantrums, etc is just some of the ‘perks’.

I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Seeing my baby

learn to roll over
sit up
stand
take his first few steps
shave his head bald
clap
experiencing different foods for the first time
learning about his allergies
shove food into his mouth
drink from a cup
laugh
bury his head into my neck when he’s being shy
giggle when we play peek-a-boo
reach his arms out to be picked up
babble
smash on my laptop
i’ll stop now…all this remembering is bitter sweet

This every day routine is coming to an end. Work is just around the corner and I’m gearing up to kick a$$! I’m worried how the child care will work out. My dearest little one clings to me. Doesn’t really go to anyone else. I’m sure he’ll cry, just like how my first born did. But, I’m very fortunate that my parents will watch him for half days and help ease the transition. I’m also very fortunate that I work where there is a gradual return program. We’ll figure out the time line to get everyone ready in the morning, have the kids learn to be away from mommy all day, when the train comes and goes, and set new routines. I hope I can arrange a couple of work from home days so I don’t have to do a 3-hr commute on top of the early morning hair/makeup/clothes routine just for myself!

Now to dot my i’s and cross my t’s before I go back to The Grind.