Back to Work

Well it has been a truly amazing 12 weeks with Molly Anne.  I cannot believe it is coming to an end.  Quite frankly, I was scared to leave the office and all of my projects for 12 weeks and now I'm scared to go back.  I'm a control freak so leaving all of my deals to (my very capable) coworkers made me nervous.  I was worried about having nothing to do when I got back or being so out of the loop that I was going to have to start over.  Thankfully, I kept up with all my email throughout the few months and everything was done perfectly and I'll pick back up right where I left off.  Can I please tell you how amazing my friends at work are?  And can I also tell you how awesome the owners of my company are because I had 12 weeks of paid time off?  THANK YOU.  THANK YOU.  I'm incredibly grateful. 

But the time has ended and I must go back.  I'm looking forward to it but I am going to admit, I'm also scared.  I have no clue how it's going to work with me traveling.  I can do day trips most of the time but there are some places I go that I physically cannot do in a day.  Kevin is obviously perfectly capable to take care of her but let's be honest - I'm going to miss her like CRAZY.  I know there are women all of the place that go back to work and travel so I surely can do it, I just need to get used to it. 

When I'm home, I'm planning to go in to the office early (Kevin will have morning duty) and leave mid afternoon most days to pick her up. I'll still work from home a day a week as I was doing prior to getting pregnant.  This is the plan but it can all change.  I think we need to give our new normal at least through the end of the year to see how it works.  

I don't want to miss things with Molly Anne.  Eventually she will have music class, sports & games and field trips. And even now - play dates or outings with friends and their littles. I want to be there for as much as I can. And I hope to be able to make that happen thanks to a supportive and family oriented work environment.  We'll see.  I know, I'm getting ahead of myself but it's still something I'm thinking about. 

And on social obligations - Kevin and I are going to have to truly prioritize what WE want our weekends to look like.  So often we feel obligated to do such and such. Well not anymore, we are doing what we want to do with our little family as top priority.  Anyone else hear me?  This is something I've struggled with for a long time...how to say no.  But I'm gonna learn because Molly Anne and Kevin are top priority.

All in all, I think it will be a good thing. I'm fully confident in the lady watching Molly Anne and I know that she will teach her so many things.  Molly Anne will enjoy being with her and the other children.  

Ok those are my thoughts after jotting these notes down over the last week.  I think we just need to see how it goes and adjust as necessary.  I'm looking forward to working and having the mental challenge.  And I'll really look forward to seeing my girl every day after work!  

Anyone have any thoughts on when they went back to work?!

Sean and Laura's Wedding

Saturday was Sean and Laura's wedding!  Kevin worked with Sean at the bank years ago.  The church was gorgeous. 

A tree had fallen in the neighborhood earlier in the day and the power was still out.  It made for a candlelit ceremony which was so pretty!  And the bride was totally cool with it!  

Then we headed over to Myers Park CC for the reception. 

First dance

They're off to Jackson Hole for their honeymoon!

Then it was a great idea to go to duckworths with everyone from the wedding haha!  But after that we went to Selwyn, just Kevin and I. Good times. 

I felt pretty normal the next day minus my feet killing me!  Ahh heels ha!

Congrats to the happy couple!

Weekend - Trip, Parents here, Chill

Oh what a weekend.  My parents flew down early Thursday because Kevin and I had a few adult events starting that night.  It was funny timing because we had just been in Maryland with them.  We are getting spoiled seeing them so often!  It's HARD living so far from your own parents when you have a baby.  I want them to get to know Molly Anne as if they lived in town.  Thank goodness for FaceTime. 

Anyway, Thursday night was my first night spent away from my girl so I was glad things were normal for her being at our house and in her crib.  This way I could stay sane and I didn't have to pack up her whole life for one night.  We all survived!  

Kevin won a mini work trip to a resort in town.  The dinner was only for the guys so Kim and I went to dinner at Dogwood.  The trout...

We talked and talked and talked.  We traveled to China and Japan with she and her hubby.  It was so good to catch up!

We ubered back to the hotel and hung with some of our friends that were in town.  

I got up early the next morning and drove home to see my girl.  I brought her back to meet Kim and pick up Kevin. 

Mom and I did some Christmas shopping that afternoon with Molly Anne. 

Then Gigi and Sarah came to see us!! 

Friday night we were invited to a rehearsal dinner after party but we had decided a couple weeks ago that it would be a lot to do three nights in a row.  Instead, we went to dinner with my parents at Midwood!  

Saturday was low key but somehow busy!  I got to hang with these bubbas for a little bit. 

That night we went to a wedding. I'll do another post on this. It was gorgeous!

Sunday cuddle and football time. 

Nannie and Poppa went back home this morning.  We already miss them.  

Molly Anne and I have a couple chores to do today but this week im going to be selfish.  It's Molly Anne and I time.  All day every day. Only doing things we want to do and hopefully kevin will be around a lot too.  It's my last week of maternity leave.  Ahhhhhhh. 

A Few Pics

My moms friend is redoing two chairs in their beach house which were messed up by renters.  She was interested in this fabric and I was so excited because I have pillows made out of the same but blue.  Anyway I ran over to Mary Jos and got her a sample. I hope it works for her! Isn't it pretty?

Molly Anne and I waiting for her daddy to pick us up for her doc appointment on Tuesday!

"Work" dinner out!

Always around. Always. :)

Yesterday she went to Ms. Beckys for her trial run so naturally she had to get dressed up for the occasion! 

Becky sent me this pic while I was out running around. Too cute!

Afternoon playtime. Ha. 

We are on our way to the airport now. Molly Anne is excited to see her Nannie and poppa!

Random and Molly Anne 2 Month Stats

1.  Molly Anne finally had her two month check up yesterday.  She weighs 12 pounds, 9.2 ounces and is 23.75" long. Both are 75th percentile. Overall she is perfect but we are going to take her to physical therapy to help strengthen her neck muscles in an effort to get rid of some flatness on the right side of her head. Evidently this is common and I'm glad it is fixable. We will work with her every day doing exercises during each diaper change.  Otherwise, she's in good health.  The shots were not fun but she survived.  Tylenol helped when we got home!  Doc is pleased with her sleeping (11 hours last night!) and is ok with 2-3 45 minute naps during the day.  All good.  

2.  Do you all print your pictures from mpix.com?  I think they are the best quality for printing pictures yourself. Anyway I found they have an app so a couple of days ago I downloaded it and then clicked on a bunch of pictures on my phone to have them printed. They're on their way to me now.  They store your credit card info too so not much typing to order.  So easy. 

3.  Salads - when mom was here right after Molly Anne was born, she got me hooked on these salads that are premade but in the lettuce section of your grocery store. They have different kinds - Asian, southwestern, BBQ ranch etc. They come with the dressing includes so literally all you have to do is pour it all in a bowl and stir. Each salad is four servings roughly. Plus you can't taste exact veggies so if you discard the bag before your husband comes home, he will never know he's eating kale or cabbage...not that I've ever done this ;).

4.  Last night I had a "work" dinner with an old client who was in town.  We had the best meal at Dogwood.  The trout was amazing. We had drinks at Selwyn afterwards.  I'm a bit strugs today after not getting in until midnight!  Ha!

5.  Today Molly Anne is going to her nanny's house for a trial run.  She's going to keep her for a few hours to make the transition to my first day back easier.   Ahh I cannot believe maternity leave is almost over.  I should do a post on my thoughts on going back to work. 

That's it for today.  My parents fly in tomorrow to watch their girl so Kevin and I can attend a thing tomorrow night and wedding Saturday night. 

Quote and Congrats

Saw this on my friend's Facebook page and loved it. True right?!  

PS - congrats to my sorority sister Cheryl who welcomed their baby boy Beckett this morning, my friend Margot who welcomed their baby girl Emmerson yesterday, our cousin Crissy who welcomed their baby boy Caleb on Sunday. :)

Last Weekend in MD

The Our time in Maryland was a blast. It went by soooo quickly. Molly Anne got to meet some of our oldest and dearest friends and family.  I'm so glad. 

And play with her Nannie and Poppa a lot.  They loved the time with her.  And she loved the time with them. 

She learned to laugh and smiled constantly up there. But not in this pic ha. 

Poppa!!!

My girl ready for game day.  Go NC State!  Thank you David and Jenn for the adorable onesie! 

Friday night I was a bad mama and took her to the airport with me at 9:30 to pick up her daddy.  I do believe there are special times you have to forfeit the sleep schedule and picking up your daddy who hasn't seen you in almost 2 weeks is one of them.  She still took a bath and went to sleep at usual time.  She just got carted around while she literally stayed asleep the whole time. I was impressed.  

This is Saturday afternoon after dad and Kevin built a wheelchair ramp as part of a service project.  Back with his people. 

Saturday night we went out for Mexican. Sunday, we hit the road back south.  I have no clue how everything got back with us but my Dad worked a miracle on packing our trunk....including a stroller. 

See this picture?  Look in the mirror at mills so close to her head just watching her sleep.  Unreal. 

 

He's obsessed. 

They were both AMAZING on the way back and we only stopped twice which made our trip 9 hours on the dot (usually takes 8 hours).  It took us 10.5 on the way up.  Molly Anne slept the entire time this trip...maybe that's why she didn't sleep last night?  I don't care, it was worth it ha!  

Mills just took care of her. I think 100 pounds of mills wants a bigger car. ;)

It was such a fun trip and I can't thank my parents enough for everything!!  Now I have two weeks left of maternity leave then back to the real world.