My New Job is Awesome!

It only took about two days back at work to confirm what I had already suspected.  I LOVE being a stay at home mom!  I am temporarily back at work on a full-time schedule.  I am filling in for my replacement while she's on vacation.  Thanks to my awesome mom and mother-in-law I have good (and free) childcare.

I will admit, about a week before I was scheduled to go back I started having second thoughts.  I was worried about how Willa would adjust to me not being there all day and how she would react to having to take milk out of a sippy cup or bottle (we have always struggled with any kind of boob substitute).  I know, it was silly of me to worry about her, but we have a good thing going and enjoy our days together...even the stressful, short nap days.

My first day back was good.  I settled back into the groove easily and was surprised that I didn't miss her as much as I thought I would (at least on the first day).  But as the hours creeped by I realized work is nice, but I don't want to go back permanently.  

There are a few things I have missed about work.  Most of all having some structure to my day.  With a baby you never really know if you are going to get dressed at 9:00 a.m. or maybe 4:00 p.m. (right before daddy gets home so you look like you accomplished at least one thing that day).    

I also missed the independence.  It's that feeling of being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it.  Since I worked in an office where I was the only full-time employee I controlled much of my day.  

But with my new job there is nothing better than the rewards of a smiling face.  

Even if the little bundle of joy requires my undivided attention for hours on end some days, it's worth it.  We love lingering a little longer after she eats and cuddling knowing that we can do that and any housework or other tasks can wait.  We love taking walks, swinging on the swing in our backyard and singing silly songs.  We love going to the grocery store and riding in the grocery cart and even visiting my old office just to say hi.

We have planned for several years so that I would be able to stay at home but we were never sure how it would work out.  Seven months in, it's working out!  I can honestly say even on the rough days when mommy and Willa both shed lots of tears, I've never once wanted to go back to the office.  

Willa came to visit me at work one afternoon for a little snack!  She enjoyed the bosses chair.

I count my blessings everyday because I know I am fortunate to have the option to stay at home.