Just over two years ago I wrote a post about my first day of work after Stella was born. She was 8w1d old when I started at that job, and coincidentally, Harvey is exactly 8w1d old today – on my first day back at work at that same job.
It’s unbelievable to me how much has changed in these past two years. We went from being incredibly thankful about having one child to being ecstatic about somehow being blessed with two. We went from being unsure if me taking this job was the right course of action for us to being SO thankful for the wonderful boss I work for who has been beyond flexible with me when I was puking pregnant & when I asked for a part-time re-entry into my job postpartum. Daycare is still a mess (Harvey is joining Stella at the same daycare she’s been at for the past 2 years, but I still have a bunch of issues with the place)… but overall, I’m thankful to have a daycare 3 minutes from home and 3 minutes from my job that will let me stop by at lunch to nurse and see my son.
All that being said, for the past 57 days, save the 45 minute run I went on yesterday when Charlie stayed home with Harvey, I have never spent more than 5 minutes away from my baby, and I am so not excited about that changing.
*sob*
In the past 57 days I’ve changed 453 diapers, nursed for 151 hours, pumped enough to have 240 oz of milk in my freezer, and memorized every inch of my son’s face.
I’m sure Harvey will be okay with this adjustment since he will have his loving big sister there to show him the ropes, but please wish me luck with MY adjustment back to work. You’d better believe I’ll be looking at my Harvey 365 project for pumping inspiration all day today….
Have a great first day back! I wish there was a mandatory 1 year PAID maternity leave in the USA…how amazing would that be?! Thinking of you today!
Oh man, my heart goes out to you! That can be such a hard day! I’m sure you’ll all do great though. And look how big Stella looks! (-:
Good luck!! I hope it isn’t too hard and that’s awesome that both kids are so close to work!
Have a great day!
BIGGEST of hugs to you, friend. Reading this made my heart (and boobs) hurt. I remember this so well with Matthew…. I’m so sorry.
Oh man, this tugged at my heart! I feel for you, I can’t imagine how hard this is! I hope its a very smooth transition. Such doll children!
From my limited experience, the first day back is roughest on the parents. Wishing you a smooth one!
Hope you’re having a great first day and that’s awesome that you can go nurse over lunch. That’s kinda what I’m hoping to do as well! But crazy stats about the diapers and pumping. The things we do as mothers. 🙂
Aww, the first day is so hard. Like you, I went back at eight weeks without really having left the baby until that point. Unlike you, I didn’t keep stats and I wouldn’t even have room for 240 oz in my freezer. You amaze me! I hope today is going as well as it can.
My little iPhone app was addictingly easy to use – that’s the only reason I know those stats! This morning was my last time to use it though I guess. Weird.
I had maybe 20oz in the freezer at this point last time. It’s crazy to have been able to plan ahead this time! We have a deep freeze in our garage for the beef we buy every year, so plenty of storage space. 🙂
Have a great first day back! I have to get started on pumping to make sure my little guy will take a bottle if I want some “mommy” time, but with 3 others and as a SAHM I have been too lazy about it lol! But he is just turning 6 wks so still some time!
I was always too afraid to wait past 1 month to start bottles in case they refused them b/c I’d have been screwed as a WOHM!
Good luck sweetheart! It must be so hard and I wish so much more than anything that one day the American system will change to be more flexible to mothers and well to workers in general. Beautiful gorgeous babies x
This is hard – thinking of you on this difficult transition today.
Here’s hoping the second day goes well…I wish I had taken a picture of me with the kiddos before my conference yesterday…miss them so much!
I hope that the transition and work are all going well. That is so great that you at least get to visit for some nursing and loving at lunch time. Good ol small towns!! 🙂