Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is never long enough. My return to work date seems like its forever away and at the same time I feel like its just around the corner.

With Teagan, I was naive. I thought I was ready to go back to work. I had no idea how hard it would be. This time around, I'm very anxious. Other mothers have told me its easier to go back to work with child #2, but I'm skeptical. I don't think I'm cut out for it. At least this time I work part-time. I went back to work full-time with Teagan.

I do like working. In my ideal world, I would like to stay at home for the first 6-8 months. Then go to work part-time. I think its a better adjustment for the baby too. 6-8 weeks is so young.

Who wouldn't want to snuggle instead of work?

Do you have any advice for momma's returning to work?

Love,

Mom Instinct

I would like to think that I would do anything for my children. But my motherly instinct has shown otherwise.

Case in point:

One day we were leaving the zoo. Teagan was a wee little one, maybe one year old and I was pushing her in a stroller. We approached a trash can that was making noises. As we got closer, a creature (later identified as a squirrel) jumped out just as we were about the pass the trash can. What did this brave mother do? I pushed the stroller straight ahead letting my daughter defend herself and I bolted to the right. Thankfully, the squirrel scurried away never touching my daughter. My husband thought this was hilarious.

I pray that in a real dangerous situation I would be a little more protective.

Love,

She's Here!

We are proud to announce that a sweet little soul named Lacey Marie was born into our arms. We love her to the moon and back. She's almost 2 week old already. We are blessed. God is good. Big sister Teagan loves her to pieces. She even helps change diapers.

Love,

Pregnancy Brain

Pregnancy brain is in full force around here. I am just plain unfocused. I pride myself on my sharp brain, but its mush now. Complete mush. Here are some examples:

• Teagan asked for milk. I made her a sippy cup and then proceeded to put the milk carton back in the fridge along with cup and went about my business. A few minutes later Teagan asked where her milk was. 
• As we were leaving the house (alarm set in progress), I frantically ran around trying to find my cell phone. I had to disable the alarm since time had ran out. Then I saw my cell had been in my hand the whole time.
• I started to bake cookies. I like to listen to music while I bake. I walked into the family room to turn on the radio and noticed toys laying around. I picked them up and went back into the kitchen, never turning on the radio.
• I lost a banana. How does one do this? Don't ask me. I believe I put the banana in my purse to snack on at work. When I got to work it wasn't there. Later, I couldn't find it in my car or at the house. No idea where it went (or more like where I put it). 
• I was at a BBQ last weekend. I introduced myself to a woman (lets say Katie) I have never meet before. Shortly after my friend asked me if I have meet Katie while in front of Katie. I said no. I truly forgot I just met her 5 minutes ago. 

I once read why pregnant woman become forgetful, but I read that while pregnant and now I can't remember.

Do you have any pregnancy brain stories?

Love,

That Awkward Moment...

You know that awkward moment when your male coworker asks you if you're going to breastfeed?

....yeah, my body parts and what I do with them should not be mentioned in a conversation at work.

What awkward experiences did you have while working pregnant?

Love,

Baby Gender

Baby #2 is a surprise baby. Bret and I decided not to find out the sex. For baby #1 we did found out the gender. I found it fun to do it both ways.

It is strange how people care about our decision. We were given a hard time when we did find out the sex, and now we are given a hard time now about not finding out. Good grief :)

To me it doesn't really matter.

I really wanted our first born to be a boy. I always had this idea growing up that the first born child should be a boy. Then we found out we were having a girl. I'm not going to lie. I was disappointed. Then the guilt sank in. I was an awful mother for being disappointed about having a girl. I really beat myself up for the following few weeks after finding out the sex. I was more disappointed in myself for having such feelings.

A few months later our precious daughter was born and my heart grew. I never knew I could love someone so much. I laughed at myself for worrying so much about gender. It didn't matter. This little girl was a blessing and I was so lucky to be her mother.

Now baby #2 is on the way. We did not choose to get pregnant to have a son or daughter. We chose to get pregnant to have another child. No doubt, it would be fun to have 1 boy and 1 girl but this time around I'm not set on a specific gender. I think I'm having a girl based on the way I'm carrying and the baby has a high heart rate.

Either way, boy or girl, baby #2 better like pink. We have bins and bins of pink clothes. :)

Love,

Final Days

Hello out there. I'm still here. I'm still pregnant. Very pregnant. But not for long :) Baby will be here next week (scheduled C-Section).

I'm actually 38 weeks now but haven't pulled the latest pics off my camera yet.

I am still working. Office jobs are quite nice for pregnant ladies. My mind has trouble focusing but I'm really trying to finish my current tasks and/or get them in a state that someone else can pick them up. While though I don't want to have a C-Section (repeat due to baby #1 being a section baby), it does make it convenient to schedule a leave from work. 

Last pregnancy my doctor wouldn't let me work past 40 weeks, but baby girl didn't make her arrival until 41 weeks. Since I wasn't haven't any complications my work wouldn't cover that last week as maternity leave. I had to use personal time. I was very frustrated. I yelled at the poor leave of absence support worker. I was expected to work 40 weeks pregnant against my doctor's orders? Major downside to being a working mom. 

At least this time around that won't happen. 

One BIG plus side to working is while on leave, Teagan will be at daycare. This gives new baby and I the same bonding experience that I had with baby #1. Just baby and I. And more time to nap instead of chasing a 3 year old around! I'm getting very excited to meet #2. 

I had a impromptu day off work today due to a power outage. I'm soaking every minute in of one of the last few days of just Teagan and I. We were girly and went shopping (actually Teagan hates shopping but she was a good sport today). We found some ribbon on clearance so we spent the morning making hair bows. 

While she naps I thought I should catch up on my neglected blog. I hope to write a couple of posts and schedule them to publish this week.  When #2 is here, I will try my best to let you know!

I realized my pictures are very out of date. Over a year old. Maybe while on leave I'll have a chance to update this blog's layout too. 

Love,