Maternity leave, (from 10/30)
A few of my favorite moments from maternity leave:
Dear Bri and JT-
I cant believe how the first 4 1/2 months of your little lives have flown by. We've already weathered lots together in your short lives. While it's been very hard work, I am very thankful for the wonderful time I have had with you to bond and get to know you. I will always treasure these early memories of me and your daddy the first few weeks after we brought you home. We'd hold each one of you, swaddled up in blankets after our "last" feeding for the night and wander the room back and forth to coax you to sleep as a soothing rendition of "Rock-a-bye-baby" played in the background. I cherish the memories of how happy (and exhausted) we were and know that when I listen to the music in the future, it will remind me of these times that went by so fast and bring happy memories . I have been very blessed since the times I heard your first cries.
JT, you are my sweet, charming and sometimes grouchy "grumble cookie". Secretly I love that you are grumbly because it means that I am allowed to pick you up and comfort you and give you as many hugs and kisses as necessary. While daddy and I didn't always establish the best sleeping habits in the early days (due to your reflux), I was also secretly comforted by the fact that you spent many nights snuggled up on daddy's chest (yeah, he's pretty comfy). So far some of my favorite things about you are that you give the BEST hugs, I love the way you wiggle your whole body in excitement when you like something and you love to flash a boyish grin and coo shyly in your little boy voice.
Bri, you are the sweetest, happiest baby-my "sweet pea nut" Bri. You smile so sweetly morning, noon and night, I LOVE hearing your sweet little girl giggles and could listen to it all day. I'll always cherish our special moments when you like to gaze up at me and stick your tiny fingers gently on my lips and in my mouth as I talk. It is so sweet. You turn into a giggle box when I say silly words. The only time you break my heart is when you go from zero to 60 and belt out a cry that would break the strongest heart in a second. Your daddy and I race across the room to stop it when we hear it. And when things really upset you, and I hear the words "meme" added in, it is heart wrenching. Fortunately that is not too often!
The first few months taking care of you two were crazy and chaotic and like nothing I could have ever imagined. My first days taking care of you by myself, after daddy went back to work at three weeks and before grandma came to rescue, were insane. After about 3-4 hours of sleep at most, I had to figure out how to feed, change and comfort you two all by myself and what a learning experience it was. I think ( from what I can remember) the first day, you both ate about every 2 hours, needed diapers changed, cuddling, cried at the same time, needed to be fed at the same time, and soothed to sleep at the same time and I needed to pump as well. Every two hours. I forewent lunch due to exhaustion and chose napping instead. Lunch was squeezed in at three in the afternoon.
We all have come a long way since then and like then, I will always be by your side. You now eat only 5 times a day, feed like champs, can play in the playmat on your own for bits at a time, are on a nap schedule and are mostly sleeping through the night. Just when everything is becoming somewhat managable, it is time for me to go back to work. While my very first outing with you by myself (at 6 weeks) took 2 hours and 45 minutes to plan and exit the house, my last week at home it took me only 1 hour and 15 minutes and we enjoyed a great time walking around at the beach and bagel shop- JT in the front pack facing out and Bri facing forward in the stroller. Before my eyes, you two are becoming sweet, curious interacting babies. You are on the verge of becoming little mobile, ever more independent human beings and my hands and arms want to guide you and wrap them around you all at the same time.
While I am going to miss you tons while at work, you are in the best hands- your daddy's. And I know he will take wonderful care of you. Know that you are always close to my heart wherever I am.
Love mommy
posted by Andrea @ 9:59 PM
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