Reflections of a Working Mom - Week 1

So, we all (Adam, James & myself) survived my first week as a work-outside-the-home mom. I will be training for my new job for the next few weeks and James & Adam are getting lots of great father/son time while I'm away. Leaving James for long periods of time is taking some getting used to but each day has gotten a little easier. Here are my thoughts thus far:

• Working outside the home means the time I am home with James is quality time. I make the most of the sweet moments I get with him and love that he smiles and is so happy to see me when I walk through the door. I am finding it easier to enjoy and cherish the early morning feedings and playtime before I leave for work, tired as I might be, and that I get to manage most of the bedtime routine/night nursing when I get home. When I'm gone during the day, that's the special time we get together and I am grateful for every minute before I leave.
• Being a mother means not only being with my baby when I can, but also providing for our family and making sure our needs are met. I am feeling good knowing that for me, being a good mom also includes helping our family in these ways.
• I get to do something that helps the community we live in be healthier - something that's even more important to me now that I'm a mom.
• I love my work and am excited to share with James someday what his mama does for a living.
• I think it's going to be good for my mental health to be out in the real world, having adult conversations, learning new skills, and doing work that challenges me personally as well as professionally.
• Lastly, I am feeling compelled to join the rest of the world and finally get a smartphone. Having an easy way to communicate with photos/videos and use the internet while away from home is more important than it used to be. One of my goals in the next few months is to save up for an iphone - stay tuned on that one.

Juggling work and life with a baby is going to require some serious organization and planning! Sunday nights are going to be dedicated to: grocery shopping, washing/storing our bottles, getting my breastpump supplies clean and packed, making/packing a lunch, at least semi-cleaning the house, updating my calendar and sorting through paperwork I need to bring in to the office, finishing laundry and planning my outfits with my very limited wardrobe, showering AND going to bed very early so I won't be a zombie the next day. Those are my goals. If I get through at least 50% of this list I'll be a pretty happy camper. Since I usually spend the early morning hours with James, getting myself ready in the morning is definitely a challenge. Sometimes I wish I could fall asleep with my makeup and work clothes already on...who knows, maybe I'll try it out!