Week and a Half

I have been back to work for a week and a half now.  There are some nice things about it like the adult interaction, the "me" time, and of course the money.  BUT, there are the not so nice things about it like getting all three kids in to the vehicle and pulling out of the driveway by 6:50am.  Dropping the kids off at two different locations.  Carrying lunch boxes, a car seat with infant, jackets, keys, a blanket, and holding the hand of my toddler all while trying to enter a building at 7:00am.  Taking Ethan to the breakfast room at daycare and getting him settle in and ready to eat while saying good-bye to him and giving him kisses... all while he's looking at me with his puppy dog eyes and asking me why I have to leave and why he has to stay there.  Dropping off Carter in the infant room and unloading all of his stuff in to the correct spots, telling the teachers how he slept and when he ate last, and catch them up on anything else they might need to know, then kissing my little man good-bye and heading out the door all by myself.  Doing all of this within 10-15 minutes every morning.  Then climbing in to my car and feeling my heart sink in to my chest as I am telling myself that this is good.  I can do this. 

In all reality... it bites.

Family Photos 2011

This weekend not only did I get to spend some much needed time with a close friend, I also got some great photo memories out of it.  My friend Lindsay came to town and took our family pictures on her mom and dad's beautifully wooded property.  We managed to sneak in the pictures between all the rain storms on Saturday.  She did an amazing job!  Below are some of my favorites. 

Click here to go to Lindsay's blog and view a couple more pictures. 

 

and one in color ;-)

Carter: 3 Months

Happy 3 months Carter! Such a big guy already! You are the most amazing baby. So calm and relaxed, you sleep through the night, you love to smile and giggle. You are amazing! We love you lots, xoxo!

Today our little Carter Oliver is 14.4 pounds and 24 inches.  He is growing like crazy!  Perfect little man.

Photo by Lindsay

I did it!

I've managed to get up every morning, get out of the house on time, and make it to work every day this week!  I thought for sure I'd go in to denial by Wednesday or Thursday and refuse to leave the house, but I did it.  I so badly wanted to be home with my kids every day this week, but I did it.  That's huge.

Ethan and Carter have helped to make the transition back to work easier.  They both had a nice time at Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Harry's house on M, W, F this week. They are also enjoying their new daycare.  Ethan went on a field trip on Thursday and got to ride on a BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS for the first time!  He went to an apple orchard and learned how to pick apples.  "Mom, you lift and twist, lift and twist."

I Can Do This...

...my hearts not in it, but I can do it. 

Coming back to work after maternity is hard.  It's isn't fair and it's hard.  There is nothing I want more than to spend the day with my kids.  This isn't something that parents get to do forever because kids grow up.  I get that, I have a teenager.  But, we should be able to be with them all the time until they grow up.  Until they head off to kindergarten on the big yellow bus.  I should be at home taking care of them, teaching them, feeding them, playing with them.  I should be there with them until they grow up.  My heart is there with them, but unfortunately I am not. 

I can do this.  I can stay strong.  I know my kids are in good hands.  After a while they will even start to have a lot of fun and meet new friends.  They will come home with stories that will warm my heart. 

On Monday the boys played with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Harry.  Here we are getting ready to leave the house the first morning. 

On Tuesday they started at their new daycare. Here we were getting ready to leave the second day. 

ONE

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Ok, maternity leave is over.
Carter was baptized today.
Back to reality tomorrow morning.

Yes, this truly was THE BEST SUMMER. EVER.

Extremely grateful.

TWO

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Getting ready for Carter's baptism tomorrow!

THREE

Friday, September 16, 2011

Had a horrible migraine yesterday afternoon. Horrible.

Got a massage this morning. My mom came to watch the boys and surprised me with a Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte! Massage and latte....ahhh bliss!

Went to a bonfire at the neighbors house with Cory, Ethan, and Carter. We had a great time! Carter slept most of the time and Ethan fell asleep on Cory while watching the fire. I love this time of year. Outdoor fires are wonderful.

FOUR

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Only four more days...

I am sitting here watching Ethan and Carter hang out in the living room.  Carter is in his bouncy chair and Ethan is playing with toys.  They are both so happy.  I love these moments. 

This morning Mariah had late start for school. Once a month they start at 9:30am instead of 7:30am.  So, I surprised her with a trip to Starbucks before school!  She got a french vanilla cappuccino and I got a pumpkin spice latte (first time trying this) and it was AWESOME! 

We are getting a new dryer today.  Five years ago we bought a front load washer because our old machine went.  Now we are finally getting the matching dryer!  It's the little things in life that excite me greatly...

Signing off for now.  Time to go spend day four with the kiddos. 

FIVE

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Ethan calls Carter little Fu-Fu. When I ask why he says because he's my baby brother. Hmmm, okay. ;)

I started a taking zumba class tonight and LOVED IT!  This was the best dance class, workout class, ever!  I even got Mariah to go with me.  She just watched for the first couple songs, but then realized how much fun I was having and she joined in the dancing. 

SIX

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Six days left of maternity leave. I feel like I'm grieving today. Definitely a day of sadness. I don't want these 12 weeks to be over. I'm not ready for this chapter in my life to end. I want 12 more weeks... then 12 more after that. I want a maternity leave like England's. They get 52 weeks! They know that family comes first. They know that healthy lifestyles start at home.

Today my heart is breaking as I sit here holding my sleeping baby on my lap.

Precious Smiles

Making crafts for mommy and daddy (Ethan: because I love you guys!). 

Carter checking out what big brother is making.

 A little daddy snuggle time.

SEVEN

Monday, September 12, 2011

Seven days left of maternity leave.  It has been AMAZING being home with my family this summer.  AMAZING.  It is going to be very hard to leave Carter and Ethan with the daycare and return back to work.  I know it is best for all of us, but it's still going to be hard. 

We are living up these last days as much as possible.  Today we spent lots of time outside looking at nature, playing, and just enjoying the beautiful day. 

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures.

My little rock star

 Ethan in the pool... fully clothed... dumping water on his head with his hat.

 Carter Monkey about to fall asleep outside in his stroller.

 My big guy having a blast on his swing set.

Fresh raspberries from our garden - DELICIOUS! 

 Look closely at the center of the picture.  There is a baby bird in there.

 Pretty butterfly on a plant in our landscapping.