Back to Reality

This last Monday I went back to work after 12 blissful weeks of maternity leave.  So now it's back to reality around here.

Back to getting up before the crack of dawn every day.

Back to excercising my brain and being able to talk about adult things instead of my conversations revolving around poop and which toys had to be taken away today.

Back to the craziness that is life in the Kinyon household:

Up at 4:00, getting in a few hours before the kids wake up.  Then it's breakfast, baths, hair, grocery shopping, errand running, preschool {this year for 2 kids!}, house cleaning, lunch, etc., etc., etc.

Then naptime for the kids and back to work for me until Bryan gets home.

I have to say, I have a love/hate relationship with my job.

I don't love getting up before any sane person would ever dream of getting up.  I don't love having to listen to Bryan struggle with tantrums while he cooks dinner.

But sometimes I do secretly love being able to lock myself in my office, turn up my music, and turn off that "mom" part of myself for a few hours at the end of a particularly stressful day.

Working full time is hard.

Being a mom full time is hard.

And I do both.

I guess at the end of the day I'm just so grateful that I have a job where I can do both - even though sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled at from all sides.  I am very blessed that since I choose to work {yes, I choose to work, and I hate the judgement that comes from others because of it.....but that's another post for another time} I get to do it from my home, in my jammies if I want, while my kids are either sleeping or being looked after by their dad.

And I'm also very grateful for willing friends & family members who help me out the occasional few hours a month I have to go in for meetings.

So, any-hoo, I'll end this with a few things we've been doing during that wonderful 3 months off.

Yes, I need to take more pictures of the older 2, but they look the same as they did last month.....Jane doesn't.

We've been enjoying long {possibly sweaty} walks with hats that are way too big for our heads.  But we've got to cover up thas sensitive ginger skin as much as we can!

 

We've been continuing to spend too much time on Etsy - but come on, do you blame me!?!  Check these things out!  I want them in every color, you can find them here.  They are fabulous {and maybe a bit ridiculous} especially if your baby has super duper skinny feet that shoes will NOT stay on.

How much do you love these skinny chicken legs????

We've been texting lots of pictures like this to Daddy {you may notice the bling.  Yes, I'm that mom, don't judge me too harshly}.

 And ps, my first day back I had to go into the office for a meeting.  Jane must have known, because that morning she gave me some glorious cuddle time - the first unforced cuddle time we've had in weeks.

It was just what I needed.

I sure love my little ginger baby :)