Reality Continues to Sink In

It has been quite an emotional couple of days around here.  The reality that I have to go back to work has sunk in, and the thought of parting with my Emma Bug every morning is a bit torturous. (Is that a word?)  I know it will be okay, parents entrust their children in day cares and schools ALL. THE. TIME. Seriously, I'm a teacher, I've been the person with whom parents have entrusted their children!  This shouldn't be difficult.  I rationally know that it will be okay and that she is going to love her school, teachers, and little friends she will make, so why do I keep feeling sad?  Don't answer that.

I just need to remember this, Genesis 31:49b "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." 

Over the weekend I was like a scheduling nazi, trying to decide the best schedule for her to get on... well, by the end of the weekend and several pieces of advice I let go of that!  Thank Goodness, I was not only driving myself crazy, confusing the heck out of Wonder Girl, but I think Kevin was ready to trade me in!  I just continue to pray that one day soon, we will get a full night of sleep, everyone needs it.  Even the dog!

Today I dropped off all of Emma's necessary belongings at her school. The teachers are so sweet and the other little ones in the room took to Emma  immediately. Thankfully today she was awake when we went so she could get a glimpse of her classroom and her new environment. Tomorrow is the test day... I have a hair appointment and so Emma will be doing a little trial time in her new environment.  Yes, I could've done it on a day when I could just come home and sleep, or get stuff done around the house, but honestly, that would not be so good for me.  I need to do it on a day when I have something else distracting me. It would seem weird to be at home nowadays without her!

Who wouldn't miss this?

Reality is Sinking In

Yesterday afternoon, our last out of town visitor left.  We have enjoyed all of our special guests who have traveled across, up, and down this country to come see Wonder Girl.  There is nothing sweeter than Grandmas and Aunts making special memories with a little girl.  Not only have our guests shared special time bonding with Emma, but they were so  helpful to me as they cooked, washed dishes, watched over laundry, and took care of Emma to give this very tired new mommy some extra rest!  We sure are going to miss that around here!  But as all good things come to an end, we will find our own groove and get into it as a family.

Speaking of finding and getting into a groove, I feel like the schedule nazi lately as I'm trying so hard to find a good schedule for Emma to be on so once she begins daycare in less than two short weeks, it won't come as a shock to any of us.  Yes, I read Babywise, and while we've tried to do most of what it says, this little girl changes her schedule about once a week so then we try to find something else that works.  While I thrive on routines and schedules, I also try to be flexible.There are things that I have to take into consideration while establishing a schedule for the little lady, such as her prematurity and travel times to and from the daycare in the mornings and evenings.  While the pediatrician has assured me she will catch up developmentally with her peers, she is still considered a preemie and I've been advised to keep her on a 3-4 hour feeding schedule.  Well, when you consider it takes her just about an hour to eat, burp, and stay upright to digest (we don't like reflux here), that leaves you a short window of time before the next feeding is scheduled to begin.  She recently has stretched herself a few nights for 5 hours, and I think that is a sign of progress, however, I am waiting until our next pediatrician visit to ask if we can do so more regularly at night. That would really help everyone around here when I return to work.

Another topic on my mind lately, returning to work.... sigh!  When Kevin and I first talked about having a family, we initially always thought I would stay home, however things change.  I'm going back to work... for now. I've already had nightmares about not being able to get to the daycare to pick Emma up at the end of the day, and nightmares about bursting into tears at work because I miss her so much!   I just keep telling myself that people work and raise families all the time, and I need to let the small stuff go. Do you think lack of sleep has anything to do with this??? Probably.  

I wouldn't trade this time I've had at home with the little lady for what will be a total of 3 months. As my maternity leave is quickly coming to an end, I am savoring every moment and trying to capture as many pictures and videos of her as I can because I know it will never be the same. She will never be the same. She will always be my EmmaBug though!!!

Random Update

I am really trying to keep up with this blog, and I love to write, but these days when presented with the options to take a nap, fold laundry, wash bottles, blog, or watch mindless episodes of Lipstick Jungle, it is a tough choice!  So, I'm trying to balance everything and do a little bit of each when I can. It has been a very busy few weeks around here, then again, it's been very busy ever since Wonder Girl arrived!
The little lady just hit the 9 week mark, and she is growing and changing right before our eyes!  Two weeks ago we were in the doctor's office for minor things when her weight tipped the scales one day at 8.5 lbs, and a few days later she tipped it at 9 lbs. Her length has stretched to 20.5 inches! This past week she had two doctor's appointments, one was a follow up with the Hematologist for her Hemangiomas on her liver, the other just a weight check at the pediatrician.  She tipped the scale at over 10 pounds!!! It shouldn't come as a surprise, she eats like a champ after all, but it's hard to believe that she has doubled her birth weight in just a little over 2 months. She is doing great health-wise, and we hope this trend continues.

This past week we had a very special visitor... Aunt Heidi came for the entire week!  It was much more fun to hang out with her and go places with her rather than spend our days in the hospital like we did when she was here in June!  While it was exciting to have her here for Emma's birth, this visit was all fun and games so to speak!  It was so much fun to see my sister interact with Emma!  My sister never was a big babysitter, or kid person (she likes them, but never really hands on the way I always have been), and so this was so much fun to see her be so hands on with Emma! While she was here, the three of us went out to lunch, relaxed around the house, enjoyed wine on the deck, and we ended her stay with us celebrating her birthday!  This year is a BIG one for my sister and the thought of not celebrating with her was killing me, so when she text me that she wanted to come visit, I was thrilled that we would, afterall, be able to celebrate her birthday with her.  We took her wine tasting in North Carolina and out to dinner for some modern Southern food.

Sisters!

Aunt Heidi and her Emma Doodle

Coming up this next week we have another special visitor coming... my Aunt Niki, who has been a special aunt to me all my life, so now Wonder Girl will meet her Great Aunt as well!

It makes me sad to think that in a few short weeks I will have to return to work and Wonder Girl will have to go to daycare.  :(  I love my job and the people I work with, however I'm going to miss my lunch dates out with the little lady, slow mornings sipping on coffee, and afternoon Tummy Time and stories.