First days back to work

My official first day back at work was actually December 29 and 30, but at that time our nanny was still finishing up her previous position so both Christian and I worked from home on those days and took turns taking care of Little Sir while attempting to get some work done. Not the most ideal situation, I can tell you!

Trying to do both things left us both relying on Little Sir's ability to nap for long periods of time (which he does not always do) and to amuse himself while he was awake. I felt really guilty about this because he wasn't getting the kind of attention he wanted or needed. No one to read to him or listen to him babble or encourage him when he did his tummy time.

This week was the first week with our wonderful nanny and it was so much better!
I *heart* our nanny!
I don't typically put names on my blog or pictures unless I have the permission of the person I am mentioning, so I will just call her Nanny but she has been such a blessing! She does so many things to make work so much easier for me. I shut myself up in the front room with my computer and I can hear Little Sir just talking and babbling and having fun in the living room with her. Unfortunately it has been so cold they haven't been able to get out for walks or other activities. But every day he has been so tired from all the playing he has done!

One time when I came into the kitchen she was holding up his sock monkey and he was having a long and enthusiastic conversation with the sock monkey. It was so cute! It is also difficult for me to go back into my "office" at those times and not want to play with him. I try to stay out of Nanny's way because I trust her completely and I don't want to mess up whatever she's got going on. Also, I know that one day Little Sir will be able to recognize me from farther away in the room and he might throw a fit if he can see me when he is supposed to be playing with Nanny!

So, it's been hard to leave him alone while he is so close, but at the same time it has been nice to be able to take a break from caregiving for a few days. I am getting better at the dreaded pumping and I feel like I am getting back into the groove at work.

I was also so thankful that Nanny picked right up on the cloth diapering and even noticed that it was time to do a load of diapers when I hadn't got around to it yet - what a huge blessing!! I was a little worried at first that it would be too much trouble but she is very flexible, which is great.

The big challenge now is how to add grocery shopping and cooking meals to this balancing act...