Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Feeling like Supermom

I am amazed at how naturally I have been settling into the full-time working mom life. It's been just over one week and I cannot even begin to describe the excitement, fulfillment and pure joy that I am experiencing.

As my dear friend C has noted, "prayers have been answered." I agree 100%. After the highs and lows we experienced with {almost} moving last month, it is comforting to experience a great start of something that feels very natural.

I know Miss L is in great hands with her nanny, Miss E {they went to the Zoo today and Miss L LOVED it!}; and I love my new job. Together, that makes for a happy-working-momma. However, I am still endlessly searching our neck of the Cities for full-time daycare.

The daycare search has proven to be the most challenging part of this equation. Homecare versus Center, and then if a home, finding one that is open past 5pm...AND with an infant opening. I have been on four interviews; three homes of which I would not permit Mr. Cole {our cat} to stay the day. The search saga continues...

Our daily routine is being molded well. It is nice to accompany Jeremy in the mornings as we get ready and many days enjoy breakfast together. I have ceased daytime breast feeding/pumping; instead, just focusing on a feeding every morning and evening. And for my housekeeping sanity, I strive to complete these three housekeeping items daily:
  • A clean/empty sink when I go to bed
  • Miss L's toys in her toy box {basket}
  • Make the bed prior to leaving for work
Most nights are busy with dinner, a family jog, and bath/showers. On off nights, I am trying to accomplish a large housekeeping task {like laundry}. And every night involves setting out outfits, ensuring the diaper caddy is full, and meals are arranged for tomorrow. Tonight, I felt like supermom or superwoman, rather! I cleaned the 1/2 bath, washed the hardwood floors in 1/2 of the first floor {the dining room and sitting room don't get that dirty, right!?}...as well as prepared a healthy salad for dinner, additional cleaning of Miss L's dishware {which is really bottles and spoons!}.

The sink is clean, bottles are ready for tomorrow and now is time for some R&R while daddy is away...a vodka lemonade, my favorite coffeehouse Satellite radio station playing and my laptop. Now, I am ready to rest my eyes and do it all over again tomorrow!

This is the view from my new place of employment,
in a sales and marketing position.
We offered members this spectacular rooftop dining experience...
note the river, the skyline, sunset...and it was 80 & beautiful {last Thursday}




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A Week of Firsts

I really was planning to post a "Wordless Wednesday" tonight but I have so many exciting things to talk about, that I am far from wordless, however, I don't have a lot of any photos to include. Sorry.

Monday

My last day of "so-called-freedom," Miss L and I enjoyed some pool time with Miss C and her mommy...followed by a daycare interview {went okay, it was the first "center" I explored}...followed by a random afternoon of shopping at the MOA...and pooltime at the neighbors with daddy!

This was all fun and games...but the real fun happened when Miss L took her first steps!! Her daddy hasn't validated this movement...yet. Also, Miss L drank through a straw for the first time. I purchased one of these "cuties" smoothies for her. They are found in the produce section and made entirely of fruit {juices}. She loved it and drank well from the straw!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

A {very} Happy Father's Day

It's funny how "they" say that Mother's Day celebrations last all week {eh, hem, month} for some...but for the dads...it's "here's your card," followed by 2 minutes of lovey-dovey-ness and then we're off to the next subject, party or activity. I was determined to make today's fun last more than 2 minutes.
Family photo taken last night at a baptismal party

After J set the bar REALLY high for Mother's Day celebrations {D'oh!}, I wanted to reciprocate...after all, he is an amazing daddy to Miss L and all of the hoopla is well-deserved, and earned.

We love playing with daddy!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A Lifestyle Change

Tomorrow is the last day at my part-time gig {Mkt & Comm Director for a local yacht/country club} ,as I prep for the start of my new full-time position {Mkt & Membership Director at a local country club}.

The beginning of any job is accompanied by a myriad of emotions, but these days, the emotions are amplified. Leaving Miss L full-time is a BIG deal. And learning to manage home/work life balance is a BIGGER deal...than pre-baby times.

Unfortunately, our current daycare provider cannot help us full-time, so I begin to scurry to find a {new} full-time daycare. This is the biggest challenge any parent must face. Finding a place to leave your child that feels as close to home as possible. In the meantime, I have hired a high school student to help out in our home with Miss L...and I couldn't be more delighted with our hired nanny. I am soo excited and Miss L really warmed up to her quickly. They are going to have lots of fun together, I am certain!

I feel confident about the next chapter of my career and am genuinely interested in experiencing the "otherside of the coin" - the full-time working mom side.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Whoever said the "Days may be long..."

I've heard it time and time again, 'the Days may be long, but the years are short.' I feel fortunate to say that the 'long days' are behind me {for the most part}. I can't recall a day with Miss L that felt 'long.'

We manage to pack a TON in one eventful, fun-filled day in our world. Filling the monthly calendar has always been my M.O., so I'm sure this comes as no surprise.

Today, was no exception...

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Big Girl Foods

We are approaching the 10 month mark, this Friday. Making baby food is "almost" a thing of the past {which makes me a little sad, just how quickly it passed by us}. Modifying our foods to make "big girl food" is now the method of Miss L's diet.

At our 9-month appointment, we were cleared to eat anything, with the exception of honey.

A Party in Heaven

Tonight, there is a very large party going on...in Heaven! Pa would be turning 55, if still with us on Earth. Instead, I am certain he is in Heaven, having beers with his friends, father-in-law and "Uncle Paul" {my great-grandpa}, playing Euchre and listening to the two kinds of music that exist in his world- country...and western.

In some ways, he is the lucky one. He gets to enter the pearly gates to God's eternal paradise, he is now free of cancer and he gets to be forever young...after passing at the age of 51 years young.

In other ways, I am the lucky one.