Back to Work!

Well, last week was my first week back at work and it went great! The first day I had an issue with childcare and had to juggle several things around to make it work, but I have a feeling that is just the way it is with kids-flexibility. It felt wonderful to be back, overwhelming at times because of needing to catch up on so much and odd since there is a lot I don't know. But overall it was really fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone again-in that setting-and starting to brainstorm and plan out ideas for what I will work on. My focus is going to return to children's ministry. As many of you know, last year I went to full time and my job was to oversee all the volunteers of our church-hospitality, kids, set up, worship, etc. I worked a lot on putting structure into place, creating teams with leaders and a clear chain of command so that everyone was cared for and communication was clear. While that was great, I'm only working part time now, so I will just be directing the kids volunteers, which make up about half of the volunteers. With that job comes a lot of event planning-camps, parties, holidays, so it will keep me pretty busy.

Evelyn seemed to do well with the transition, a little too well actually! I've been most worried about how she would nap, because she kept needing to be rocked to sleep and wouldn't sleep very long if she wasn't being held. So, the day before I started work, imagine my surprise when she just fell asleep on her own and slept for over an hour! She has done that for a week now; we can put her in her crib and she goes to sleep just fine, usually sleeping an hour or an hour and a half. The first time she did it I was elated and felt so free. The second time I was sad because she didn't need me to rock her to sleep anymore and I can't believe how fast she is growing up. Crazy, huh?! So I still rock her to sleep sometimes : ) A few of the days it seemed like I was away from her a lot-three hours, then home for a few, then away another three hours. But that won't be the norm, and even so I just treasured the time when I did come home and hold her, it felt so precious.

Sunday was my first time back helping at church, so I left early and Bard brought her. Then he took her home while I stayed a little longer. That was weird too because I felt like my focus was divided. Normally on Sundays I'm so focused on my job, but this Sunday of course I was wondering how Bard was doing with her (it was the first time he has left the house with her by himself!) and then how she was doing in the nursery, and then how she was doing when they went home. Someone once told me that having a child is like having a piece of your heart walk around on the outside of your body. I've never heard a truer statement.

All in all it was a good week. I think the balance worked perfectly and I'm excited to see how this week turns out. I feel so blessed. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful home, an absolutely adorable and amazing baby, a great support network of friends and family, and a job that I love, but one that doesn't take me away from everything else too much. What else can be said?

'08 Babies!

As I've mentioned before, our church has had a recent baby boom-and here is proof! These are the babies in chronological order from right to left (okay, yes, we should have gone left to right but it was quite an undertaking just to get everyone together!) The babies were born from January through the most recent one being mid May. And yes, you do see a set of twins! For some this is our first, others second, and other third or third and fourth, but the fact that they were all born so close ties us all together with a beautiful bond. I love the idea of Evelyn growing up with these children. I know and respect all the moms and am so thankful that my child can be a part of this wonderful community. I'm sure we'll all do some things the same and some things different and I know we'll learn from each other by being surrounded by such a rich variety. Discovery started seven years ago and at the picnic yesterday I was watching children play together who have been playing together for seven years-most of their lives. Every morning I talk to Evelyn about what we're going to do that day, so on Sundays we talk about going to the church nursery. I'll say, "You're going to play with Asher, and Charlie, and Jack, and Ruby" and so on. Yes, I'm sure life will get in the way and odds are against her remaining friends with all of them for any long period of time. But who knows? I would love to post pictures of these babies at her first birthday party, and her fifth, and her thirteenth! And it's not just for her sake that I like that idea. Even just in her first few months it's been so wonderful to talk with the different moms about what they're experiencing and remind myself that we're all in this sleepy, cranky, surprising boat together. It's great to hear the good and the bad-one baby is fussy without mom, another is only taking twenty minute naps, another just started eating cereal, another rolled over for the first time. All these moments are so important and I feel that all the more powerfully because I am seeing them not just through my own eyes for my own child, but they are reflected in a variety of ways by the families around my own.

Baby at Beach

To celebrate our 2 year anniversary, Father's Day, and Bard finishing his financial test, we decided to go to the beach for the weekend. We weren't sure exactly how much of a vacation it would be with a two month old baby, but we figured we would give it a shot! I'm so glad we did because it was a wonderful time-check out the last album for pictures! We went to Ocean Shores and stayed at the Judith Ann Inn which was just perfect. It had a kitchen so we could cook some of our own meals, and a private jacuzzi in the frontroom that looked out on to the ocean. The weather was good, although too windy for Evy to be outside for long, which is why you see me in the trunk of the car! She did wonderfully, slept the whole drive there and back (we would have never done it if she was still doing her whole scream in the carseat thing!) She played really well by herself and did great when we went out to eat at a restaurant too. We had dinner in our room once and went to an irish pub the other night. Cooking some of our own meals was very convenient because we didn't have to worry about disturbing Evelyn's schedule or finding a place that was okay for babies. But going out also went well, I had my typical fish and chips, which I get whenever I go to a pub-it just seems right! And Evy sat and played in her carseat the whole time we ate. It was so relaxing to not have to worry about getting anything done or be on a schedule. We slept in, read, lounged around, walked on the beach and just had an all around enjoyable time. Bard got to go surfing on Saturday and Sunday, which was great because I've never seen him surf and on Sunday he got up quite a few times so that was fun. Although I have to admit to the irrational fear that he is going to fall off and get hit in the head with his board. He assures me that this is practically impossible but that doesn't seem to matter. So at first watching him was stressful, but then I got used to it and felt much better. We bought saltwater taffy (a must have at the beach) and walked around looking in the little shops. We bought Evelyn a little book of fairy tales, continuing our tradition that we started before even getting pregnant of buying a children's book every time we go someplace. At the surf shop we met the owner who is actually from Huntington Beach-where Bard grew up surfing! It was really a great weekend.

I Love My Dad

Because he loves to take naps with me snuggled on his chest.

Because he likes changing my diapers and thinks it's funny when I poop a lot.

Because he does such a good job giving me a bottle and laughs really loud when I burp.

Because he sings to me when I'm sleepy and plays U2 songs for my naptime.

Because he sticks his tongue out at me and taught me how to stick out mine.

Because he calls me his Little Joy.

Because he gets up at night and holds me if I am naughty and don't go right back to sleep after eating.

Because he reads financial information to me so I can learn about the stock market.

Because he comes and takes me from mama when she is exhausted and needs a break.

But most of all I love my dad because he loves God and tells me how much God loves me.

Two Month Appointment

We had Evelyn's two month check up today. Even though she was two months over a week ago, our pediatrician does regular classes for all parents of children the same age, so we wanted to attend that along with her individual check up. I (again) really enjoyed the experience. The doctor met with us for over an hour, discussing where they were at developmentally and what to look for in the next few months. He answered a lot of questions and had some great suggestions. What other doctor's office do you get that much time? Plus, it was nice to see the other parents/babies of the same age. We talked a little about sleep habits and I'm glad to say Evelyn is kicking butt! She sleeps so well at night, I need to remind myself of that more often! Then we had our individual check ups. She is 23 and three quarters of an inch long and weighs 12.7, pounds, which puts her in the 90th percentile for height and weight! I had her weighed last Monday, closer to her actual two month birthday, and she was 11.11. So she gained almost a pound in a week! What a remarkable baby : ) This explains why she all the sudden fits her 0-3 month clothes and now has grown out of her newborn onesies, which makes me sad and amazed. When the nurse came in she remarked on how vocal Evelyn was - which was great to hear, but not surprising considering who her parents are! She also commented that she couldn't believe how smiley she was, which of course I loved hearing as well. So up to that point it was a wonderful experience and I was quite proud. Then she had to her shots-three of them at one time! I've never heard her scream that loud, but fortunately she calmed down really quickly so my heart didn't break too badly. She hasn't been too fussy, just a little more tired than usual, we'll see how the rest of the day goes.

. . .

Well, that was three and it is now five. Something definitely kicked in because she started crying and was fussy, which is really unlike her. So we got out the infant tylenol and that seemed to help. She has been sleeping pretty much since then. Poor baby!

Work

[Whoops, I started writing this on Friday and just got back to it!] Evelyn turned two months last week which means that I have about two more weeks before I go back to work. Part of me is antsy to be back in the thick of things and the other part of me is anxious about returning to my job. I miss the people I work with, although I still see them, it's not the same and a huge part of my job is communicating with people, which I will love to resume. However, I really can't comprehend what it will be like to work with a three month old baby. I'll only be going back to twenty hours a week, which will also be a change because my job will be different than what it was before, so that will be an adjustment as well. My sis in law and mom are going to watch Evy part of the time and one afternoon a week Mary (a family friend) will help at the house while I work. The other 7-8 hours will be a mix of working from home with her, taking her to the office/meetings, and working on an evening or Saturday while Bard is home. I think it will be okay. . . I've gradually been adding more and more to my schedule so that it's not too much of an exhausting shock to go back to work. Yesterday, for example, I went to the grocery store, highlighted my hair, visited with a friend, and went to a school play. I can't even imagine having done all that a month ago! It might not seem like much to many of you, but when you fit in 4 feedings of roughly 30 minutes each, 6 diaper changes, and 3 naps, it really amounts to a full day! My biggest worry is the time when I'm trying to get work done with her at home. Some days that works really well, she plays happily or sleeps while I clean, email, visit, etc. Other days she doesn't seem to want to be put down, even while sleeping, and I feel like I get nothing done. I don't want to get frustrated with her just cause she is being a baby (literally!) and I need to accomplish some task. Fortunately when I really think about it, I only need to work from home an hour or two a day and if worse comes to worse it can be done in the evenings or Saturdays so that Bard can bounce her around while I get stuff done. Still, it's hard for me to picture what it's going to be like! Although maybe I shouldn't even try because in just three weeks she will have changed a lot so it's crazy to try and predict what her sleeping/eating/daily habits will be like. Right now she sleeps really well at night, going down around 9:30, getting up at 2ish to eat and then typically sleeping til 9am. Obviously losing that 2am feeding will be great, but I can't complain too much, I know many parents get a lot less sleep than that! So, June 24th is D-Day, I appreciate your prayers and support as I get ready for the next big change, and of course, I'll let you know how it goes!

One week, One month, Two months!