Maternity Leave

(The pictures accompanying this post are from when Tyler was 1 week, 2.5 weeks, and one month old.  I was about to write that they have no connection to what I'm writing about in this post, until I realized that they are exactly what I'm writing about.  They freeze some of the precious moments that I had with my boys while I was home!)

 

I am back at work this week after an amazing 7 weeks of Maternity Leave.  I have mixed feelings about being back, but there is no other option, so I'll just get used to it again! I can honestly say that this 7 week block was one of the most enjoyable in my life.  As if the experience of finally meeting Tyler and adding him to our family wasn't wonderful enough on it's own, being home with Timmy and Tyler, doing whatever we wanted to each day, whether it was snuggling and sleeping til noon or spending 3.5 straight hours at a playground, was awesome.  There was just a feeling of freedom and peace having all of my time for my family.  I guess that makes perfect sense because in my normal life I spend more waking hours staring at this computer screen then I get to spend with them.

 

During my leave there was lots of visiting.  My Grandma was in town right after Tyler was born, so she and Mom came over every day until I was mobile.  Becky got home for the summer just days after Tyler was born, and she almost lived with us while I was home!  She was such a huge help and so enjoyable to have around!  She is going to be the most amazing mom when it's her turn!  Friends that I haven't seen in awhile, some of them in years, made time to get together with us.  We also spent lots of time at my parents house with my family.  We spent lots of weekend time with Tim's parents and siblings.  And we made a trip up to Ohio for a party (which I will post about separately) and so my extended family could meet Tyler.  It had been a year and a half since I had been to Ohio so it was especially great to see everyone there.

The maternity leave flew by.  Some days seemed to last forever and some there weren't enough hours in.  We spent time at Elena's at the pool, went to activities at Timmy's school, took the boys to two festivals that we were selling shave ice at, took hundreds of pictures, and spent quality time together.  I did some shopping, planned parties, made some crafty things, caught up with old friends in person and on the phone, and relaxed.

 

 

I don't know that I would want to be a 100% stay at home mom.  Tim might expect me to start cooking.  I really wish I could just work part time though, even one less day a week would be a huge improvement!  I have already told Tim that we have to have one more child eventually, just so I can have another 7 weeks off of work!  You get to keep the child afterwards, so it's totally worth it!  ;)  Maybe I should go find something billable to do now...