Back to Work

Yesterday was my first day back at work since Clyde was born, and I'm still feeling all the feelings! 

Snuggling at home on our last full day of FMLA

Trying to catch up at work after being gone for 12 weeks feels like drinking from a fire hose (especially since I left during such a turbulent time). And I miss my little Clyde. These 12 weeks have had some difficult moments (especially in the first four weeks), but they've all been related to my own health. The actual baby part has been amazing and so joyful. Clyde is such a calm, happy baby, and I've cherished the time I had to be home with him. 

Sweet little Clyde at home on Monday

I'm nervous about him eating well at daycare (dude definitely prefers milk fresh from the tap and has made it clear he is not a fan of bottles), but I'm grateful that after having Charlie there for two years, I know and trust the people caring for my babies. 

And speaking of Charlie... He was sick on my first day back, so I took Clyde in alone. I've actually taken Clyde in to daycare a few times already (I did this with Charlie, and it helped ease my nerves immensely!), so drop-off yesterday was less difficult than it would've been if I hadn't done that. I would take him in once a week for just a few hours (long enough to get in one nap and one or two feedings) to A- help me ease into daycare, B- help the teachers get to know him, C- help him ease into bottle feeding.

Clyde at morning daycare drop-off on my first day back at work

One last nursing at home before daycare drop-off on Day 1

Let's hope things get easier soon. (And that I don't spill anymore of my pumped milk!)

WFH

Nursing Charlie on the living room couch while working on my laptop

We've been working from home for just a few days now, but it feels like it's been a year. 😂

During this time of economic uncertainty, we both feel EXTRA grateful for our jobs. We know many are being impacted by the economic downturn already brought on by COVID-19, and we know how blessed we are to not only have jobs, but to have good jobs, and jobs that are currently allowing us to work form home.

Our daycare is currently closed, which means that in addition to both of us working full-time, we also take care of Charlie during the day. Charlie is SUCH a delight, but it's SO hard for both Stephen and me to be productive for a full workday when we have to also balance taking care of an 8-month old. I'm used to taking four pumping breaks at the office throughout the workday, but caring for a baby in person is a whole other story!

What we've been trying out so far is working in shifts. Stephen works in the morning, and I take primary responsibility for Charlie while trying to somehow also work. And we swap at noon so I can work. (Except what actually happens is we eat lunch, Charlie needs to be wiped down, then he needs to nurse again, etc etc.) Stephen has set himself up in our little office downstairs, but I typically just work on the floor of the nursery or on the living room couch with my laptop. Anywhere where Charlie has room to crawl safely and toys to spread out on the floor.

It feels like everyone else suddenly has loads of time on their hands, and even though we don't have anywhere to be, we are busier than ever. We often work again in the evenings after Charlie has gone to bed, just to keep up with our workloads. We do feel very blessed to be in this situation and to be able to work from home, buuuut if anyone has tips on how to successfully have BOTH spouses working from home while caring for their baby (or tips on how the heck to get our 8-month old to NAP during the day), please send help ASAP! (I'm even considering going back to pumping during my half of the workday, just so I don't lose momentum or time.)

Since I last posted...

• I became an aunt! 😆

  

• we both turned 32

• 9 + months strong with this dreamboat! 😍 

• I just finished my time with the Utah Democrats and am looking for my next Comms/Digital opportunity in SLC. (So if you know of anything, let me know? I'm open to FT opportunities as well as contract/consulting work.)

• We voted! (#WithHer, of course. 2016 was actually my first year voting a straight Democratic ticket.) 

Unfortunately, we lost bigly on November 8th, so....

• I took refuge in Europe (London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brugges for 10 days) and had the time of my life with Stephie and Nif! #misadventuresineurope

Amsterdam ❤️ 

• Every time I read the news, it feels like the country is up in flames. But also, it's been incredible to see the goodness of the people around me in response.

March 4 Refugees in SLC

SLC Women's March

• I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It explains a lot, and I'm grateful to A- still have health insurance, B- to have found just the right therapist, C- for modern medicine and all the ways in which it improves our lives, D- for an uber-supportive boo. I am so blessed! <3

• Went to DC for Kathryn's wedding!

• Spent our first holiday season together

• Some shopping. ;)

• Started ski lessons at Snowbasin. It ain't going so well. 😳  Last time I was there, I ran over a small child, got yelled at and shamed off the mountain, and basically cried all the way home.

Hope your 2017 has been good so far!

Status Update: Life in Utah

I got to see my VL friends this weekend out in the Bay Area, and it led to a lot of "How is life in Utah??" updates. Instead of repeating this conversation over and over, I've decided to compile here for you how Utah is going:

How I feel most of the time about having my own apartment:

How I feel the rest of the time about having my own apartment (miss you, DC roomies!):

What my new job is like:

Living close to family again (LOL):

Life in my YSA ward:

On arriving in Utah and realizing that elevation is a THING but still trying to be outdoorsy (bc I really do enjoy it!) and then remembering I'm severely out of shape:

But it's SO pretty here, so:

The excitement at having some of my DC girlfriends here to help each other through the transition (!!!):

How I felt about dating when I first got here:

Then:

A little later:

When I realized I'm LITERALLY walking thousands of steps fewer each day, because I now drive to work and basically never move:

But possibly the best way to describe my transition is this:

Some good, some less than good but really, mostly good. :) I'm glad to be back!