SC's "Toddler Shower!"

Thank you to Shannon and Amanda... this was so much fun!  You guys are AMAZING and I can't thank-you enough for hosting this event!  So much fun...  :-)

And thank you so much to everyone for attending!  It was so much fun to see all of you!  I just wish there was more time to visit...  Thank you for all the incredible gifts and great company; what a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!

SLIDESHOW


A FEW PICS

A Full Weekend!

Thursday evening through Saturday Noon...

Birthday Tree and SC

First Week Back to Work... Thoughts.

I have known I would be faced with “going back to work” for a long time…  but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with yesterday.  And today was actually worse than yesterday.

Samuel was still asleep when I left the house yesterday  (probably a good thing as I didn’t have to put him down or say good-bye.)  Whereas this morning, I did…  he whimpered and held his hands up as I closed the door on him.  L  As well, Joe and I were a bit “mean” at each other (for stupid things I can’t even remember…)  AND to top things off, Starbucks forgot the vanilla syrup in my latte.  SIGH.  So it just wasn’t a good start to the morning…  

I guess the good news is that things are work are really busy right now.. I have stuff to catch up on and a new org change that impacts some web design and comms material I am working on.  So my first couple of days back have been “all-consuming.”  But I still find myself wishing I had a “live webcam” on Samuel so I could see him all day!  J 

It feels odd to know that Joe is enjoying play-time with Samuel, while I am sitting at my desk working…  for me it almost feels like the past month didn’t happen, as we hadn’t been home with SC long enough to get any sort of real routine down.  But I am thrilled Joe can be home with him…  he is a great dad and I love watching him interact with SC.  The picture in this post is of Joe & Samuel, sent to me at work today, while they were playing in the park… 

But this isn’t to say it’s not hard for me.  I wish I could be playing with him and bonding.  The insecure part of me worries that he won’t attach to me because I am not at home…  L  That makes me sad and I get paranoid when he doesn’t want to be held by me or would rather be with Joe (stupid, I KNOW!)  We have our whole lives ahead of us…  and we will get there.

As well, I am working out the May through Mid-June plans right now.  I am hoping to be able to make something creative work for me… and/or just take FMLA.  We would prefer to have a solid 6-7 months with Samuel at home before having to find school and/or daycare for him.  It’s just hard to balance everything, but hopefully we will get it all worked out.

This weekend is Samuel’s dedication at church…  I am praying he is a “good kid” up there while the pastor holds him!  J  This is an event I kind of used to dread at church (watching all the babies get dedicated, as it was sort of painful for us.)  So it feels odd that it is our turn…  who would have thought it would be in February 2010!

Joe, Rutherfords & V-Day

I just wanted to get a few pictures posted from Joe's last day in CO Springs. He was able to spend time with the Rutherford's and we were so thankful he could stay with them!  They even got him out and showed him the sites, which was great.

Then last night after Joe flew in, we had our first Valentine's Day as a family... It was nothing special, but it was our "first" Holiday together (is Valentine's Day considered a holiday?!) My mom had sent some fun treats and Joe brought home some Air Force Academy shirts...

Today is my last day off... I will return to work tomorrow.

And we have a packed upcoming weekend ahead... we have grandparents coming into town for Samuel's dedication, a toddler shower, Jamie's b-ball game, and 2 speaking engagements (church and school.) But they are things to look forward to, for sure! Should make for some wonderful memories...

First Dinner Out in PDX...

Because this is one worn out mom with no dinner plans after picking up Joe from PDX. This kid is picky... It was the same Kraft mac and cheese as we have at home - but he would have nothing to do with it.

So fortunately I had some Gerber food and a sucker in his bag (leftover from the trip home from Miami.)

But he did fine; mostly played with Crayons and flirted with the kids at the table behind us.

Yay! Joe is home!

A Pure Genius Invented these Fish!

I am so thankful for you guys out there...  Your emails and comments of understanding, support and empathy are getting me through the day!  J 

I wouldn't trade this job for the world...  And as most of you all know, I have dreamed of this day for a very long time.  But I wasn't foolish going into it either (to think this was going to be an easy role to play.)  I do know this will be the toughest job I ever have in life, and I hope I can be the parent I need to for this wonderful little guy.  That probably scares me more than anything - of failing him...

I had my first taste of balancing my “work life” with parenthood today.  I needed to play catch up on some stuff via cell phone, with my manager (for some stuff I need to get done next week.)  Not an easy task as Samuel demands my attention (literally) but I made the most of it and walked around the kitchen & living room with him hanging from my leg.  I did have to crack up once as I caught him pacing around the living room with a toy to his ear (those little eyes are watching every move, aren't they?!)  J

We then had a Skype session with Joe!  We chatted (well, that is “screeched” if you are a little guy named Samuel) with Joe and the Rutherford’s for awhile…  such a great way to catch up.  Ah… technology.

A Stroll...

We went to the grocery store at 7:30am...  We got a Starbucks…

Then came home and danced in the kitchen while emptying the dishwasher.  And colored.

And then?  We needed to get out of the house!  So we went on a short walk…  He didn't care much for the tree, though after I took him down, all he wanted to do was get back up in it!  

No rest for the weary...  Is it nap time yet?!  Thank goodness my partner in crime will be home tomorrow!

A Quick Message

Okay... being a "single" parent is not easy. I am doing my best to keep this little one entertained, but it is a tall order for someone who is brand new to this mom thing!
I am thankful for nap time, that is for certain... Thankfully our neighbors got Samuel this great paint/stamp set, so we got that out and started getting the creativity rolling (dumb mom forgot about messiness so I quickly took his shirt off!) :-)

If anyone out there feels like I am MIA - I am sincerely apologizing with this update! Know that I am "reading" your notes, but just don't have the ability to type out messages most of the time. :-) As I type this one, he is sitting on the counter, occupied with a dishrag (which will last about 30 more seconds...)

So... more later! :-)

Joe called and he said it was a really good day... they are finished loading the containers and all went well in Colorado.

Little Helper (click to play)

Alone with Mom...