Hi Ho, Hi Ho...It's back to work I go.

Yup. It's about that time. Time to head back to the office. Thankfully I'm only going back "part time" for a few weeks. But still doesn't make it any less hard.

I love when people say "your maternity leave is already over? Has it been 12 weeks already?" First off, maternity leave is UP TO 12 weeks (which is required by law). But that doesn't mean it is paid time off. So what really happens is maternity leave is however long your PTO (paid time off) lasts and how long your finances allow and what your boss will tolerate (lets face facts, they have a say too).  No, they can't fire you for wanting 12 weeks, but they could make things pretty miserable when you came back if they so desired.

That being said. My time is up. My PTO is growing small and I want to keep some for a rainy day and emergencies. And it's just time. Sure I might think at times that being a stay-at-home mom would be great...and it would. But its a lot of work!! In some ways, I think being the working mom is somehat easier. They also say "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and "daycare socializes and makes kids more independent."

Monday was my first half-day back and Reese's first real half day at daycare. J was going to drop her off at 7 am and then head to work. Seeing as we had never been ready to go before 8:30, I was a little worried. Plus Reese had been up a few times during the night and both times I couldn't get back to sleep. Too many things rolling around in my head. Finally after the 4 am feeding, I couldn't shut my brain down. I thought about getting up at 5 and getting ready, but maybe fell asleep about 5:30 and my alarm was set to go off at 6. Got up about 6:15 am because I heard Reese start fussing and I knew J had to leave at 7.

Out of her jammies and feeding her, while he got ready. Then off to the kitchen, to put breast milk in the diaper bag and write LP a note about when she'd been fed, changed, etc. Put her in the carseat and that's when I got misty eyed. Of course J walked in just then from putting diaper bag in the truck. Only to find me crying my eyes out. He assured me all would be well and kissed me goodbye before picking the carseat up with Reese in it, who by the way was grinning like crazy. And away they went.

He later told me that it was so hard to leave her at LP's, not because he doesn't trust LP, but because she was looking at him like "don't leave me." I asked him if he cried and he said "no, but it was really hard to leave her."

In the meantime, I took a shower, pumped while I did my make-up and hair and ate breakfast. I was out the door about 8 am and on my way, looking like a pack mule...purse, lunch bag, breast pump bag and work bag!! Got to work and when one of our assistants saw me her face lit up like a Christmas tree. Always nice to be missed. Two baby presents from clients were waiting at my desk. Sweet!!

From there, my day flew. Granted, I was only at the office until 11:30. But I had a lot to do in a short amount of time including pump twice and eat lunch. Scooted out pack-mule style again and booked it to LP's. Got there just at noon where Reese was playing but looking a little tired. Got her into the car and made a stop at Walgreen's for baby oil (to cure the cradle cap) and some other items, then home. As soon as we were in the car, she was out cold.

Didn't stay that way very long. Put her in the Moby wrap after a bit and was able to get some more work done. J was home earlier because he'd gone to work so early, so that was nice. We had all survived my first day back.

Today I worked at home while my Dad and my Grandma watched Reese at our house. Pretty productive, but had to stop a few times to nurse, etc. We'll figure it out.
Now on to day three tomorrow...