Off to Work I Go

I just finished my first week back at work after my 13-week maternity leave. Whew! I survived! The emotions I felt this week were very similar to the emotions I had three years ago when I returned to work after having Emmy. It turns out it isn't any easier the second time! Just curious to see what I wrote after my first maternity leave, I looked back at my blog post from February 2017. I hope you don't mind if I recycle some of my writing. 

I could write a whole post on how difficult it was to leave Eli on Monday morning and how I cried during my morning commute. I could write about how I missed Eli especially in the mid-morning, when I knew he would be his most playful, and then in the afternoon, when we would usually spend time with Grammy, Grandpa, and Emmy as we waited for Daddy to get home. I could go on and on about how strange it feels to be away from him after being with him every second for the last three months, and how weird it is to once again dress in professional clothes. BUT I could also write about the fabulous support system I have while making this transition, the many phone calls I have received and sweet messages, the numerous loved ones who checked on me and offered words of encouragement. I want to thank everyone for helping me through this tough thing called being a working mom. 

To my husband, thank you for making the time at home so precious! We have been a good team in the evenings, knocking out baths and laundry, while sneaking in reading, baby cuddles, and "tackle football." Thank you for being home early on the evenings that you didn't have sports so that we could spend time together as a family of four. And mostly, thank you for being the other face that I rush home to every evening. 

To my sweet Emmy, thank you for your flexibility this week. Not only are you sharing Mommy with a new little brother, but also now with her career. You have cooperated with our morning and evening routines, and you seem to understand when I have to go to Eli instead of read another book. Speaking of reading, my favorite part of the day is reading with you before bed. I hope you know how much I cherish this time together.

To my mom, thank you for loving my little guy during this time. I can't imagine how hard it would be to drop him off at a daycare while he is still so small. I know I will have to do that soon, but I am thankful for the bond you will develop with him during these next few months. I've enjoyed our chats and texts throughout the day. You've helped me to still feel connected to him, and I also feel more connected to you, as I learn more and more about being a mother. 

To my dad, wow you have stepped up to the plate as Grandpa! It has been so wonderful seeing you interact with Emmy while Grammy tends to Eli. You two have such a silly and fun relationship. It has been so helpful when you've picked her up from daycare so I only have to make one stop in the afternoon. Thank you for the other things you are doing to help mom during the day like washing bottles, moving car seats in and out, and lightening the load for her. 

To my sister, a fellow working mom, thank you for the flowers you sent to brighten my day. You have been a great listener and have encouraged me as I take on this challenge. I look up to you and the way that you juggle everything. I am thankful for the bond that we have as sisters and as mothers. 

To my friends, I was overwhelmed by the sweet messages, texts, emails, phone calls, and hugs. I feel like I have a huge cheering section, and your prayers were felt all throughout my day. 

To my coworkers, thank you for welcoming me back with such excitement. I appreciate your patience as I adjust to being in the workplace again. You have been so kind to let me ease back in to my duties, and it has been nice to see all your smiling faces again. 

My prayer is that the time at work will be productive and worthwhile, and I pray that the time at home is meaningful and intentional. I hope I can be my best self when I am at each place.

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Time to dry up the tears and share pictures from our week, starting with some tv time on Sunday evening. While I stayed busy getting ready for the work week ahead, Boomer introduced both kids to NASCAR and golf. Emmy got a kick out of watching and yelling at the cars as they went around the track. (Parenting Disclaimer: Despite Eli's eyes in this photo, the screen time was pretty minimal!) In an attempt to make the week go as smoothly as possible, I did a lot of prep, including packing lunches and laying out Emmy's outfits for each day. I didn't get a Sunday nap like I usually do, but I enjoyed some extra cuddles with Eli.  

Two sweet surprises awaited me on Monday - flowers from my sister and a Chick-Fil-A bouquet and an iced coffee (my favorite morning treats!) from my coworker, Collin. 

I've loved getting photos from my parents throughout the day. I look at them over and over again when I am pumping at school. I am currently pumping two times during the school day (around 9:30AM and 12:30PM), as well as in the car both ways! The pictures are helpful to pass the slow, tedious minutes of pumping. 

The Kennedys are going in different directions tomorrow, with Boomer and the kids heading to Star while I go to Raleigh for Jen's wedding shower. It will be Boomer's first solo adventure with the two kids, but I know he can handle it. Plus, he will have a little help from Granny! Because we will be apart tomorrow, it was nice to spend time together this evening. Today marks our 11th dating anniversary, can you believe it?! We celebrated with dinner at Chipotle and folding laundry together after the kids were in bed! And so ends my first full week of work! :)

A Snow Day

We had a surprise snow day on Friday after a light dusting came through our area on Thursday evening. It was really no more than an inch of snow, but it was enough to cover the grass and send the school systems into a panic. Most of the schools got out early on Thursday and either had a delay or closing on Friday. I hadn't planned anything for Friday since it was going to be my last official day of maternity leave. I had visions of staying in my pajamas all day, watching Food Network and reading (in between feedings and playtime with Eli, of course!) I really haven't had too many days like this over my 12-week leave so I was looking forward to a lazy day. With the winter weather though, unexpectedly all four Kennedys were at home on Thursday evening and on Friday morning. We knew the night before that Boomer's school had a Teacher Workday, so we enjoyed a leisurely morning, followed by a delicious brunch at one of our favorite breakfast spots, Dame's Chicken & Waffles. Boomer got the Carolina Cockerel (three wings, a blueberry waffle, and a peach apricot spread), and I got the Classy Hen (chicken cutlet with a classic waffle and a vanilla almond spread). Emmy got her own waffle too, which she preferred to eat like a piece of toast, sans utensils. Emmy's daycare was actually open on Friday, but I kept her home with me for the rest of the day as Boomer took off for a wrestling tournament in Greensboro before heading back to his school. Even though Friday looked a little different that I originally planned, it was the perfect last day of maternity leave. 

After having some extra time together as a family on Friday, my mind kept thinking it was already Saturday! It has been nice to feel like the weekend has lasted a little longer than usual, especially with Monday looming ahead of me. I am trying to enjoy these last days of my leave and push away any anxiousness I feel about my return to work. I am also trying to have realistic expectations for myself as I go back to being a working mom again, while staying positive about the weekends and upcoming breaks that are built into the school schedule. We have had a fairly mild winter, but perhaps we will have a few more surprise snow days over the next few weeks - I wouldn't be upset about that! 

I'll close with two photos that made me smile this week - Emmy talking into her bottle phone during nap time, and Eli trying to maneuver out of his swaddle. I sure love these silly babies of mine! 

3 Months

Eli is 3 months old today! After a first attempt at our monthly photo shoot, we had to try again once Eli had a full belly. There would be no pictures until he had eaten! That is one thing I have learned about my little guy: he is quite unreasonable when he is hungry. His cry hits a whole new decibel, and his arms and legs shake in protest! After I nursed him and with the help of Grammy, we were able to coax some of the precious smiles that we are seeing more and more of these days. He has a smile much like his sister's; his eyes light up as the grin spreads across his face. He likes when Daddy tickles him under his chin or when I talk to him in a high voice. Because of all of the time we are spending together right now, he is becoming quite a momma's boy. His eyes follow me around the room, and if I leave his sight for even a few seconds, he will usually start to whimper. He doesn't like to be left alone. 

Our long string bean is just under 11 pounds, wearing 3-month clothes and size 1 diapers. He is feeding every 3 hours when he is awake, and he is settling into a routine with his naps: a morning nap around 10AM, an afternoon nap around 1PM, and then an evening nap around dinnertime. This dinnertime nap is helpful because I can then show Emmy some attention after her day at school. 7PM to 8PM still tends to be a tricky time frame, with both kids awake and having different needs. Things settle down again after Emmy is asleep (usually by 8PM), and then I feed Eli one final time before putting him in his crib around 9PM. This last feeding includes nursing and a few extra ounces from the bottle. If Boomer is home, he will give Eli the bottle; I think they both enjoy this bonding time. Eli will then sleep until anytime between 3:30AM and 5:30AM. After feeding again, he will go back to sleep for a few more hours before fully starting his day around 8AM. 

Eli's newest trick is rolling over from his belly to his back. He did it for the first time on Sunday, and Boomer was the first to see him do it. I was giving Emmy a bath, and he called me over to the nursery to watch Eli do it two more times. When I pulled out my phone to capture his flip on camera, Eli must have decided that he was done showing off. Luckily, he cooperated today for Grammy and Grandpa, and we were able to catch it on film. Eli is very strong and has a tight grip.  He has started to be more interactive with his rainforest playmat and the hanging rings at Grammy's house. He has realized that pulling down on the rings makes the music play, and he can entertain himself for several minutes moving his arms and legs around. He has discovered his fingers over the last few weeks, and he will often suck on his middle and ring finger together, forming a funny Spiderman symbol with his hand. We have not introduced a pacifier, and he hasn't found his thumb just yet.

This milestone is a little bittersweet because I will soon be returning to work. I love seeing the way that Eli is growing, and I will be sad to miss these everyday moments with him. Thank you for your prayers as I go back to work next week!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! We are winding down after a day full of sugary treats and sweet surprises. Emmy once again had a special message for her Daddy. Do you think he will say 'yes'? :)

 When I pulled out Emmy's Valentine sign this year, it looked like it had shrunk! Was it always that small?! This tradition started when Emmy was only 3 months old. Valentine's Day fell on my second day back to work after my maternity leave, and while Emmy was at "Grammy Daycare," my mom made the sign for Emmy to pose with. Surely the sign is getting smaller - where did my little baby go?

We celebrated the holiday with a kid-friendly evening. Emmy, Eli, and I met Boomer after work in Winston-Salem at Campus Gas, a funky restaurant converted from an old service station. We got hot dogs and tater tots, and Boomer surprised me with beautiful red tulips. Since Campus Gas is near the Wake Forest campus, there were a lot of college students, which made for a lively, loud atmosphere. Luckily we didn't have to worry about being too quiet! Throughout dinner Emmy stayed busy surveying her haul of Valentine goodies from school, while Daddy tried to sneak in bites of banana!

 After dinner, we went downtown to Black Mountain Chocolate for dessert. We splurged on a chocolate chip cookie, a slice of chocolate cheesecake, and cayenne-cinnamon hot chocolate. It was a pretty sweet evening with my three Valentines!

Despite all the extra sugar today, Emmy had no trouble falling right to sleep this evening. All week, Emerson has loved coming home to special messages from Grammy on her bedroom door. Eli and even Mommy and Daddy got hearts on their doors, too!

Eli and I have had a few adventures this week: coffee with my friend Caitlin and her 5-month-old daughter Elliott, a weigh-in at Baby Cafe, a visit to Forbush to see Daddy, and hanging out at Grammy and Grandpa's. Eli likes his car seat and is a very good travel companion. His newest tricks are batting the objects under his rainforest play mat and holding up his head during tummy time on the boppy. It is special to have another Valentine in my life this year. Happy 1st Valentine's Day, Eli!

A Monday Massage

Boomer has returned from his conference at Pinehurst, and I survived the three days as a solo parent of two. I can't take credit for doing it all on my own; I certainly had a lot of help from my parents and my sister, who chipped in to pick up Emmy, feed us dinner, and help with bath time. It takes a village! In Daddy's absence, we stayed busy with walks downtown...

...Uno with the cousins...

...a rainy afternoon in bed...

 ...and a trip to the Science Center with Grammy.

Emmy went to school on Wednesday and Thursday, but I kept her home on Friday so that we could take a field trip to the Science Center. Unfortunately Emmy's favorite animals, the meerkats, were not out that day, nor were the newly acquired tigers. Bummer! But we had fun in the aquarium and on the motorcycles in the new exhibit "Hands-On Harley-Davidson." A lot of the animals were indoors because of the previous day's weather. On Thursday we had very heavy rains and wind, and we were even temporarily under a Tornado Warning. The daycare posted this photo on their Facebook page with all of the children sheltering in place (Emmy is in the front right.) God bless those teachers! Luckily everyone was safe, and we didn't have any damage at home. 

 

We sure missed Daddy while he was away, but I am glad that he had the opportunity to go to this conference to present and to collaborate with his colleagues. I am always so proud of him. In the latest Wake Forest Alumni magazine, he was included in the "Class Notes" section for accolades and accomplishments. 

With Boomer back home and the bad weather unexpectedly postponing the Friday night basketball games, we enjoyed dinner with my parents, and then on Saturday, we had dinner with the Williamses and Houstons. The work week has started again, and although Mondays usually get a bad rap, I certainly wouldn't complain if every Monday was like this one. I cashed in on my anniversary gift from Boomer and enjoyed an hour-long massage this morning. Before my massage, my mom came over early to watch Eli so I could work out. I am definitely feeling pampered! The massage was a full body relaxation massage, and the masseur even had a special pillow for nursing women, since laying on my stomach isn't very comfortable right now. I still have a second hour to use, and I am already looking forward to going back!

Third Time's a Charm

Emmy and Boomer went on their annual Chick-Fil-A Daddy Daughter date this past Saturday. I say "annual" because it is the third year in a row for this pre-Valentines Day tradition. The past two years of date nights haven't necessarily been successful. You may remember that Emmy spit up her chocolate milk the first year and then had an accident in the playplace last year. Thank goodness for Daddy's willingness to give it another shot! This year's event was actually off-site at the Kernersville Senior Enrichment Center, rather than at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Perhaps this change in venue can be credited for the more successful evening. The theme was "Sock Hop", and Emmy was so excited to wear her Minnie dress. She has been asking to wear it to church on Sundays, and I have gently steered her to another outfit. I thought her date would be the perfect time to say 'yes'; it kinda goes with the theme, right? We snapped a few photos before they left home, and then the other photos Boomer sent to me over the course of the evening. I loved getting the updates from him. According to Boomer, Emmy was tearing up the dance floor until the CFA cows came out. She quickly bee-lined back to Boomer at the table to eat her nuggets and fruit. Even though she wasn't a fan of the cows, there weren't any tears as there have been in the past with other large mascots. The evening ended with Cherry Coke floats, which Emmy really enjoyed. It seemed like both Emmy and Boomer had a lot of fun. Third time's a charm!

Here is one more cute photo of Emmy holding up four fingers for how old she will be next year. She is in a stage right now where she loves counting and asking what letter a certain word starts with. She loves the letter E, the colors purple and pink, and knows almost every song that comes on K Love. 

While Boomer and Emmy were on their date night, Eli and I spent some time together too...at the grocery store! Well, sorta. I took us out to dinner first at the Loop, and then I scheduled our Walmart Pick-up order for while I was out. Eli was cooperative through the whole evening. We have certainly had a lot of mommy-son bonding over the last few weeks. I know that I will never get to spend as much time with him as I am now during my maternity leave, and I am soaking up all my snuggles with him. 

Boomer sneaked this photo a few minutes later...

 

There have been a lot of other happenings over the last few days: Super Bowl party at my parents' house...

...a walk with friends on a beautiful 70-degree day...

...and the occasional tantrum in the car. Boomer will be leaving tomorrow for a conference at Pinehurst, so I am hoping there aren't too many of these over the next three days! Wish Mommy luck!