Lucky 13?

(This is a week late...and week 14 is already in the works.  This whole working full time thing seems to get in the way of blogging...so forgive me!)

Week number 13 came and went with a bang. It started off with our very last day together of my maternity leave and then the big first day of school. Oh my. I was so worried that you were not going to eat or you were going to cry all the time. Nope - none of the above. Your teachers love you and you seem to love them right back.

And how is mom doing back to work?!! The first 3 days were great- especially because you allow me to get some rest at night (bless you child). And with lots of preparation the night before, our mornings seem to go smoothly, which is also a huge sigh of relief. I thrive off schedules and I think you do too little man!

What else?!! Well we had lots of fun with friends watching football and then another big first- your first stuffy nose. Yep, just after 3 days in day care you were a snotty, stuffy mess. But with some extra love and snot sucking you seemed to be just fine!

And Monday we started it all over again....whew! You started taking lots more from a bottle too and are getting into a routine which is great. Even if 13 was our first week apart I'm still calling it lucky because it went as good as it could and when the weekend came...I didn't have to put you down. You were all mine!!!

One thing that is sad is the drop in number of pictures I take of you Charlie.  Since I'm not around you 24/7, when I am with you I tend to soak up the moments more and hold you a little closer instead of always snapping pictures of you.  Don't worry - I still get at least one a day but that is compared to like 50 per day.  Such is life though, right?

Working mom rule #1

Rule #1: make sure your kid is fed

At Charlie's school, which I'm guessing is the same as many other infant care places, they send us home each day with a sheet that says how many diaper changes, when he slept and how long, when he ate and how much. We read them, lots of times I enter the info into my phone for tracking purposes, but then they go in the trash (should I be keeping these??!). Well on Wednesday we got one that has something weird on his last bottle. Weren't sure what the statement meant - Jimmy went in to pick him up early because it was Halloween and didn't ask-  so we both went on our merry little ways (Jimmy and I).

Thursday, our normal morning routine and grabbed a few bags of breast milk (newly organized by date) and dropped him off with that. At 3:00 Thursday afternoon....what I thought about for so long finally happened. I missed a call from his school with no voicemail. I immediately go into panic mode and call them right back. Thank goodness he was alive. But apparently he was also very hungry!! Why?? Oh because yes, we read the notes that go home with him everyday and I was even telling my coworkers that I was proud of him because he went from taking 2.5 ounce bottles to 4 ounce bottles. Oh yes, but still at the same intervals. But no, this mom did not take into account that meant I actually needed to bring more milk during the day. Yep, the call was...."um, Mrs Carter, Charlie is out of milk and we don't think he will make it until you come pick him up.". Then after a huge sigh of relief from me that that was all the call was about (heaven forbid it was something else...and you wouldn't believe the things that were going through my head!), I said no problem, that I was sorry and I would be there in 10 min or less to feed him.

And with that, I was out the door and at his school in no time. Luckily they called with some time to spare and he wasn't in all out meltdown mode yet. So instead of my regular 3:30 pump session at work, I got to nurse my little man which is way better! I was there, fed him and back to work in as much time as it would take me to pump- so no time wasted. But boy did I feel bad. I even made Jimmy go in alone to pick him up because I was kind of embarrassed. Rookie mom mistake. At least I will hopefully never do it again!

So there you have it. First full week of school for Charlie and first full week of work for me as a mom is in the books. Luckily we have a funny story to tell now, right??!  And now will abide by rule number one to feed the kid!!

In other news, we went to dinner last night with the Matlocks.  I cannot believe Jackson is already 7 months!!  So fun and he's so cute and such a little squealer.  Well, we did an official "meet and greet"...even though they already met at the pumpkin patch, but this was like a real face-to-face now that Charlie is a little older.  And this is one of the hilarious pictures I got.  It makes me laugh because it looks like Jackson is angry at Charlie and is trying to swing a fist but Jeff is holding him back.  And Jimmy and Charlie both look very confused.  I feel like it could win like a baby picture caption contest....don't worry in reality they love each other.

We have a 3 month old...

Wow.  Where to even start??!  I cannot believe you are 3 months old already.  I feel like time has flown by and we went from being these clueless first time parents with a small little newborn baby to now we are still clueless first time parents but we have a 3 month old that is oh so cute, smiles a lot and we are much better and faster at getting out of the house now.  All good things...

I tried oh so hard to get you to roll over before I went back to work a week ago, but you just wouldn’t.  I don’t really care that you aren’t (I kind of like that you are still in one place!!), but I just really wanted to be the first one to see it.  Not that I don’t love your wonderful daycare/school teachers, but I just still want to be the first.  So whenever you choose to do this, just make sure it’s while I’m watching…preferably with a camera.  Thanks babe. 

Speaking of some fun new things you have picked up in the last month that I don’t think you were doing last month:

• Sucking your thumb – yep, we have a thumb sucker.  However, I’m not complaining because guess what?  If you do wake up in the middle of the night, most of the time you just pop your thumb in your mouth and put yourself right back to sleep
• You found your hand and you love it.  Aka you try to stick the whole thing in your mouth
• You drool ALL.THE.TIME.  I call you a drool monster.  You can really see it when you have gray on and it’s like everywhere.  I think it’s kind of cute though.  I’m not sure if you are getting teeth or what, but you sure do have a lot of saliva.
• You smile ALL.THE.TIME.  I would say this one is a great attribute you have found.  I’m pretty much obsessed with your smile and your giggle.  It’s so fun that you can see my face, I smile and then you smile.  Such a flirt.
• You really really like the exersaucer!!!  Mom put you in it and even though you are a little too short, you have so much more fun in that than just lying on the ground all the time.  You get bored easy I guess (mmm…you must be related to me).  The monkey and you have staring contests all the time and you are reaching for the other toys now!!  Love it!
• You are “talking” aka making lots of baby coos, ooos, and ahhs.  It’s oh so cute.  I always talk back to you and ask you what you are trying to tell me.  You obviously don’t tell me, so I just guess.  It’s fun.
• You love your dad a whole lot.  After I feed you in the morning, I have to get all my stuff ready so I hand you off to dad and he takes you downstairs and talks to you while he’s eating breakfast before we all 3 head out the door.  You could stare at him forever I think.  I love it.
• You are doing great at daycare/school.  I’m probably going to stick with calling it school even though it seems silly because it isn’t…but you have “teachers” and “tuition” and even school pictures, so we’ll go with it.  But you like it and all your friends there too.  The teachers are very nice and sometimes they don’t want to give you back at the end of the day.  I think they like you too!!  Your dad said he walked into get you the other day and you were sitting in a swing just laughing and giggling.  I love that and it makes me feel so much better about leaving you there all day.
• You are taking a bottle much better.  That is because of school and your persistent teachers.  God bless them.
• You are on a pretty good schedule and sleep between 8-10 hours a night.  Which is great!!  Keep it up big man!
• You are wearing most 3-6 month clothes now.  The Carter’s 3 month onesies are getting a bit tight for your ever growing stomach.
• You are still in size 2 diapers, but getting ready to take the leap to size 3.  I didn’t get to weigh you this week, but am going to have to figure out where a baby scale is because I can’t wait until your 4 month appointment since I was so used to knowing every week.

Overall, you are just so wonderful.  It’s crazy because I think back and I don’t know what life was like without you around.  You are seriously the most wonderful little man in the world and I’m just loving how fun you are getting already – can’t imagine how much more fun it’s going to get as you start to interact more and more.  Now that I’m back at work full time, get ready to spend all weekend with your parents.  Last weekend your dad said I barely put you down.  Yep, he’s right.  I didn’t want to let you go. 

I am pretty sure every day I don’t think I can love you anymore, but somehow the next day I do.  Love you Charlie bear!!!

And now the 3 month photo shoot…..

You slowly fell this time, but unlike your 1 month photos, you didn't seem to be too sad about it....you like to roll with the punches I guess!

Your 3 month "birthday" also happened to be picture day at school AND Halloween - so here are a few pictures of that.  I love you in the tie - such a babe!!!

YOUR FIRST HALLOWEEN!!!!!  You were a baby Giraffe (Aunt Lyndsay bought it)

We went to a Halloween party - your dad was supposed to be a zoo keeper...who apparently doesn't know how to shave!!  Mom was supposed to be a zoo keeper too - eh, guess not.

 A picture with Julia and Kristen!!

And finally, one with you and your brothers and sisters!!!  It was a zoo...Willy (bear), Milly (zebra), you (giraffe), Toby (lion).

Back to work

We made it three days already in our new "normal" life. The worst thing I've forgotten at home so far is my work badge and I just stole Jimmy's that day, so I consider it a win on remembering the 17,001 things that I now have to carry out the door in the morning. Top 4 are all things to do with feeding and changing Charlie.

Wednesday was the day. I remember putting him to bed Tuesday night just so anxious wondering how our morning would go, wondering if he would sleep at all that night and how I would ever leave him. Well guess what?? I tested up but didn't ball my eyes out. Why?? Oh that's because a week ago Wednesday we did our day care trial run and that was when I was a huge freaking mess. Like hysterical-I can't breathe-inconsoleable walking out the door and all the way home. Very happy we did a practice so I could get that out then versus going to work after. It was hard, but I knew it had to be done and he was in good hands. And I knew I would see him over lunch :). Yep, at the time we were looking at day cares I thought I would like him close to work versus home and boy do I ever. Works out nice since Jimmy and I both work at the same place too,

When I got to work, we parked in the parking garage and walked in together- something I hadn't done in a LONG time since Jimmy was super sweet and would drop me off at the door when I was pregnant!!! My desk was decorated and co-workers happy to see me, as I was happy to see them!! Next thing I knew after I got my computer up and running, pumped and had a meeting...it was time to go to see Charlie!!! And best yet, I got to nurse him instead of pumping! Great for me and him. Then it was back to work with a long meeting that afternoon and then pump and time to pick him up!!!

Essentially, the first day flew by!! However, day 2 and 3 were much harder for me. I think doing our morning routine a second and third time made it sink in that this is now our everyday normal and I wouldn't get to spend all day everyday with my Charlie. We went to see him over lunch on Thursday too and I got to nurse him again but Friday I went out to lunch with friends. It was nice but also sad because I wondered what Charlie was doing all day!!!  Turns out...he did great, ate great and napped great.  Overall, they are telling us that they will keep him and he's pretty easy and calm, so that's great!!

A weird thing is his school closes at 4:30 on Friday's, so that means we work early hours on Friday. Which having that extra time at night with our family was great!!! Luckily our bosses are nice and flexible so we can come in early so we can both leave early to pick him up.

I was definitely a planner before but having a baby and working requires oh so much planning at night it's crazy.  I have even started showering at night for a few extra moments of sleep in the morning.

Oh how things change in just a few short days.  I know as Monday is upon us, it will be a lot harder going a full 5 days to work versus just 3...but I know I will live.  And I know that this is the best for our family.  I am happy to be at work.  Really, that's weird, right?  I miss Charlie so much...there's no denying that, but I like my work.  And finally by late Thursday and Friday, it was actually nice to get back into things and start working on some of my contracts that I was when I left in July.   It makes it SO nice that I can drop in and see him whenever and I will, even if I have to ask my mom if she thinks his teachers think I'm a crazy mom.  It also makes it nice that I am really liking the place we chose, his teachers, the owner and the other kids.  Miss Linda is so sweet and I swear, every time I ask her a question about something, she always has an answer and a lot of times it makes my life easier (like how I showed up with 4 bottles the first day of care and she so nicely told me that if I just want to bring frozen breast milk in, they will take care of washing the bottles, etc.  Um - yes please).

Overall...I would say Charlie, Jimmy and I are doing ok with the transition.  Charlie seems to be enjoying it - however he did get his first "cold" I think this weekend.  Was just a bit stuffy on Sunday morning when he woke up - poor guy.  He wasn't his usual self for a few moments during the day, but he was a trooper, took lots of naps, and went straight to bed.  I just love this kid.  Push through those sicknesses, right??  Build up that immune system little man!!!  And I'm happy to say that he is taking a bottle pretty well.  That was one of the main things I was worried about...still working on taking more milk and faster, but gotta start somewhere.

I cannot believe it's already Halloween, Charlie will be 3 months old and November is this week.  Where does the time go?  However, I'm really looking forward to the holidays to spend lots of time with family - especially my little man.

So Monday morning - here we go....

12 weeks have come and gone

Our final full week together.  Cannot believe it has come and gone and mom is headed back to work tomorrow.  So crazy that 12 weeks ago today you came into our lives.  I feel like you were always part of our lives and are wondering what we ever did without your sweet smile every day.  AH!!!  Time flies!

It was another fun week and full of firsts.  On Wednesday you went to day care for the first time and mom lost it.  Hopefully she won't lose it this Wednesday when she has to go into work right after.  You did so good though.  I lost it when I dropped you off thinking you would never forgive me and be so confused when it wasn't my face you woke up to after you took your morning nap.  Well, when I came to pick you up at noon, you were in the bouncer having a fun time and had already had a few diaper changes, taken 2 bottles like a champ, and taken an hour long nap.  Wahoo!  You looked at me and started crying.  Not quite the reaction I was hoping for, but you were so tired because you had so much fun that you went to sleep the minute you got in the car seat.  And then I pretty much stared at you the rest of the day.  I'm nuts.

Other firsts?  Mom went out with her friends on Thursday and you had some father/son time.  Well, I think mom messed up and had an ice cream cone and your tummy was upset...because you cried the whole time.  Mom had fun but was secretly happy that you woke up unexpectedly for a 3am feeding so she could spend time with you since she missed bath time.  Friday night - Grana and Gigi (Jimmy's grandma) were so sweet and came over to watch you.  You did great and they loved hanging out with you.  Pretty sure Grana thought your mom was crazy with the list I left just in case she needed something and at our bed time routine.  Haha.  It's a first kid thing I guess.  However, first babysitter lesson #1.  Make sure you feed them.  Mom and dad totally messed up on this one and they were left with ham and cheese and beer.  They said they didn't mind - but I did!!!  The rehearsal dinner was so fun, but mom's boobs were hurting so bad that she had to drag your dad home to feed you or pump...went a little too long!!!  AH the new normal.

Saturday was Heble and Mac's wedding day...that meant for a long day with Charlie and the Bruns family.  We dropped Jimmy off in the morning at Heble's house to get ready and then we stopped by to see Ashley and Courtney so they could meet you!  You were so fun and liked them a lot.  Then Nana B came over and mom walked through the long list with her (again, thought she was crazy) and then we headed to the church.  Mom and dad had the wedding, went on the party bus and then the reception.  Major pump issues...that's another post!!  But mom will learn, right?

We had a great time, but I missed you so much.  However, I think Nana, Papa B and Aunt Lyndsay had so much fun.  They said when they gave you a bath, they all just sat there and stared at you because you are so cute!  I'm sure they will babysit you many more times!!!!!

Monday...well...that was Monday.  We had a great morning and then the dogs pretty much ruined the afternoon.  UGH!!  Oh well, such is life, right?  Only one more day all to ourselves my little man.  One more day.  I have so much enjoyed these last 12 weeks with you and am so thankful that I got this time off with you.  We have learned so much for each other these last 12 weeks - it's amazing to think back at the first few weeks and how different everything was.  Life feels so much more normal now with you and we love it.  We love you.  So much.  So so much.  Next week's update will be very interesting!!!!

I am gonna miss this

While part of me is anxious to go back to work merely for daily adult interaction, there are just so many things I'm going to miss about not getting to stay at home with my little man. I know the days will be shorter, the schedule will be stricter and the little moments so much more precious.

The big one I will miss is sleeping in and snuggling with Charlie in bed in the mornings...oh yes, with all the digs around us. Our "bad habit" (I say in quotes because I love it...) is Jimmy going to get him if he's crying/fussy around 6am or after, changing his diaper and then bringing him into our room so I can nurse him siting in our bed. My fav. Then I burp him on my chest and he falls asleep. Correction- we fall asleep. It's the most wonderful thing in the world in my opinion right now. There are even sometimes I just lay there awake and stare at his sweet face, still in awe of how just a year ago he didn't exist and now here he is in my arms (and almost 3 months old!!!).

I'm going to miss our random trips to Target, the grocery store and elsewhere. They are so fun just cruising around the two of us. I'm going to miss the days that we have literally nothing at all to do, nowhere to be and can stay in our pjs all day long (especially because Charlie looks so cute in his pjs!).

I will miss watching him play on the floor and in the jumper for hours each day. Listening to his noises and talking back in full conversation like he knows every word I'm saying. I'll miss our walks around the neighborhood where I point out the trees, the leaves, and we strategically avoid walkers with dogs to keep the peace. I'll miss the constant attempt to multi task while holding him. Or being happily interrupted in my task at hand by a sweet baby that has awaken from his nap. I'll miss our support group we have developed of other breastfeeding moms and their sweet babies- that was pretty much the only thing on our schedule each week and we made it 11 out of 12 weeks since Charlie's been alive- so lucky to have those girls and their sweet babies and a great support group.

So there you have it. This was me looking back on the last 12 weeks at all the things I loved and embraced about being a stay at home mom. There is a future that is reality that I'm looking forward to as a working mom and know there will be a whole new list of things I love.

I remember a co-worker of mine saying when I was pregnant that the one thing she hopes for me during my time off is that I treasure the moments with my son and not have a long to do list that I'm wanting to accomplish every day. She said this mainly because I was/am the type of person that likes doing so many things...well...I made one maternity leave to do list and don't think I accomplished but 2 of the things on it. Our house wasnt always clean and the dishes weren't washed and there was always another load of laundry to do and put away. But I didn't care. Why is that? Because I made sure there were times when Charlie fell asleep on me...I fell asleep too and left him on me to soak up as much of him sleeping on me I could get. There were times when a frozen pizza would have to do for dinner because I wanted to play with him a little longer. There were days when I didn't shower because he was having a bad day and I didn't want to put him down.

Good or bad, right or wrong- I can say that I took the time to truly soak up these moments and cherish this time that seems to fly by when he's so little. I dropped my grad school class and am forever thankful I did. I had nothing else on my plate for the last 12 weeks except taking care of my cute little baby boy. And I'm surprised truly at how much I enjoyed it and having no to do lists and just taking in each day one hour at a time.

Wednesday morning at 5:30am- be thinking about me. I will have to get up and get ready for work and be back on a schedule. But for these last 2 days, this mama is soaking up every sweet moment I have.

One of our "stay in PJs all day" days....

Week number 11!

Charlie, I cannot believe that we have already been hanging out together non-stop for 11 weeks.   It seems to keep going faster as the day approaches when I have to go back to work. Oh man.  We have had so much fun I'm telling you.

You get more and more fun each week because you are making so many funny noises now and like to play so much more.  It makes me so happy!!!!  This week was no exception to fun and we are continuing to the make the most of it.  It was very fun because Miss Arden joined in our weekly breastfeeding group!!  So great and love that you already have so many friends!!

This week also was your second road trip!  This time we headed north to Omaha, NE with the whole Carter clan.  All your cousins and aunts and uncles in one hotel...it was so fun!  You seemed to turn a sleeping corner when we were there too and sleep a LOT longer now.  Which is perfect timing for mom to go back to work - you are so tricky!

We just are so obsessed with you and love playing with you and helping you learn new things!!!  Cannot believe you are almost 3 months old - WHOA!!

PS Mom seems to be running behind on blogging because there is so much to do before d-day is here (aka back to work!)