It Finally Happened!

Baker did it! She caught the stomach virus. I received the dreaded call from daycare that she had been throwing up. When I picked her up, she looked pitiful! She had slept all day. I felt so helpless seeing my little girl in so much pain. I snuggled with her all afternoon, night, and I took the day off from work today to snuggle some more. All the snuggling paid off. She is doing much better tonight and is full of those smiles that melt my heart!

Spoiled?

So, I'm trying to figure out who was spoiled more this week by my mother-in-law's visit, me or Baker! Be-Be needed some Baker lovin', so she spent a few days with us. It was wonderful! Everyday I got home from work, dinner was cooking, the house was clean, clothes were washed, the bed made, the clothes Baker had outgrown were packed up, and Baker was bathed. I had to pinch myself! All I had to do was come home from work and love on my baby! Who could ask for more? These are just a few of the things that made my life much easier this week, especially since Lacy was out of town for work. I believe Baker enjoyed skipping out on daycare for a few days of undivided attention from her Be-Be. It's easy being a mom when you have someone to take care of everything for you! Thursday night it was back to reality, but it sure was good while it lasted. I invited her back for monthly visits! As long as Baker is involved, I think she'll make the visit to the Upstate!

Help!! I'm stuck!

Baker has learned to roll over on her belly! The only problem is, she can't roll back over. When I go to get her in the morning, she is usually on her belly screaming. I think if she could talk instead of scream at me she would say, "Help Mommy! I'm stuck! Oh..and feed me, I'm starving!" This picture was taken in our bed. I had the day off work, so we had a late morning snuggle date! It's one of my favorite things to do with her. I like to think she feels the same!

Adventures in Babysitting with Uncle Nick!

Nick was a little confused about what to do with the Boppy! I told him his ceremonial head dress was a little much! Pink is not his color!

Nick visited us over our long weekend. He was nice enough to spoil Baker and give me and Lacy a wonderful Valentine's Day present, a day out! Lacy and I spent the day looking for houses. It was not a successful trip, so we indulged in a delicious meal at a local Mexican restaurant. They served a glass of free champagne with each meal. That was a first! Mexican and champagne! I wouldn't suggest it. It was nice to spend some time with just Lacy. It was our 1st "alone" date since Baker was born. As you can see..Baker is losing some of her hair. She didn't have much to start with, so every little hair counts! We enjoyed having Uncle Nick around. It was very eye opening for him. Baker did interfere with his sleep schedule!

One Busy Week!

Baker, Lacy, and I enjoyed relaxing this weekend after a very busy week! Lacy worked long hours, I took a class every day after school from 4-7, and Baker went from daycare to a sitter (Gran-Gran and Ms. Mary)! What was I thinking taking a class after 1 week back to work?

In the end it all went well and Baker did such a good job being juggled from place to place. This week at work was much better. I'm adjusting to being a working mom and wife. I've spent the weekend switching Baker from breast milk to formula. It hasn't fazed her one bit. (I'm so happy she loves the Wal-Mart brand!) It was too hard for me to continue pumping and working. I will still nurse her at night. I'm looking forward to my mother-in-law visiting us this week. It's going to be nice having some extra help with Baker while Lacy is out of town. I plan to catch up on some school work. Baker will be missing a few days of daycare to spend some with her BeBe. Oh..she'll be spoiled by Tuesday!

Wacky Day!

School is the only place you can go to work dressed like this and no one looks twice. Our class celebrated Wacky Day on Valentine's Day. We celebrated Wacky Day because our class earned all their Tiger Stripes. To get a tiger stripe, they have to earn a compliment from an adult that is not their teacher. On top of Wacky Day and Valentine's Day, my principal decided to observe me teaching! Of all days! It was hard to stay focused on a lesson when you look Wacky and have a classroom full of excited kids! By the end of the day, I truly felt WACKY!

Strollin'

Baker is growing up! She can now fit in her umbrella stroller! It's so much easier to to handle and makes getting ready for walks much faster than using the travel system. We've taken advantage of the warm weather the past few days and enjoyed some nice strolls. Baker LOVES facing forward to enjoy the views of Clemson. She is mesmerized the entire walk. I would love to know what is going through her mind. It seems so busy! I enjoy talking to her on our walks, letting her know what's going on in this big world!

All I Wanted and More!

After an overwhelming week all I wanted to do was spend some time with my little girl. This week was such a struggle for me as a mom. This is kinda what my days were like with her. I picked her up from daycare, fed her, had some snuggle time, handled some chores, bathed her, read to her, fed her again, and before I knew it, it was her bed time. Oh..speaking of bedtime, she is doing a fantastic job of going to sleep. We just put her down and she's out! I'm sure she's exhausted from her 1st week at daycare. After a peaceful bedtime and kiss good night, I would attempt some school work if I didn't fall asleep. The nights go by so fast when I get home.

I've never looked forward to the weekend as I have this week because all I wanted was more time with my baby. I wanted more snuggle time, more story time, more rocking, more smiles, and more gazing into those beautiful blue eyes. My heart feels so good today because all my wishes have come true and it feels so good! :)

I Think I Can...I Think I Can

This was the most exhausting and overwhelming week of my life! It was wonderful to return to work and my students, but I wasn't expecting it to be so hard on me physically and emotionally (I did lose 4 pounds this week!). When I left my students for my maternity leave, I had a love for each of them. Little did I know that when I returned to work my love for each of them had grown and become deeper. My bond with them was different. It's hard to explain. As a mother and teacher I want even more for them. But can I give them what is needed as well as give my daughter and husband what they need? I know that any mother who works has the struggle of being a working mom and husband, but I really think that being a teacher, mom, and wife is so much harder. Your heart is filled with so much love for so many more people. With all this love comes more burdens of being the best mom, wife, and teacher. You can't exactly leave your work at school no matter how hard you try. You always carry home some type of work whether it's a concern about a student or the paper work that keeps piling up.

Can I handle this? Can I figure out a way to juggle all my duties? Can I be a good mom, teacher, and wife? I'm so use to giving my all in all that I do, but my 1st week back has shown me that some things have to give. I hope that in the coming weeks I can find a better way to juggle it all.

My students made this wonderful bulletin board as a special welcome back surprise. Oh yes...I cried! It's a wonderful feeling to know you're loved by so many "little" people.

Oh Yes..I'm a Dork!

We were the 1st to arrive at daycare this morning (7:15) and I begged Lacy to take pictures of me and Baker, Baker and her 1st teacher, Ms. Barbara, as well as Baker's crib. I think she's going to love her mobile. I told Baker she might be the 1st kid to arrive each morning (I have to be at work at 7:30), but she won't be the last to be picked up! Today she was the 1st picked up!

Hi Ho..Hi Ho..It's Off to Work and Daycare!

Baker and I had a wonderful 1st day! My heart was immediately at ease when we were greeted by Ms. Barbara, Baker's 1st "teacher". She is a wonderful and loving person. She was so patient with me as I explained Baker's needs to her. I felt kinda guilty because I didn't cry! ( I did last week on our practice day.) I believe I didn't cry because I knew Baker was in a safe and loving place. I had no doubt about my choice to return to work, especially when I read their monthly newsletter and they welcomed Baker in it! (I saved a copy for her memory book.) Returning to my students was wonderful! They all greeted me with huge hugs. Kaitlyn's words of wisdom to me were "Mrs. Williams please don't cry today for Baker. When you start to miss her, just remember you will get to see her right after school. Our days go by fast!" At the end of the day Isaiah made me promise that I would come back tomorrow. I raced to daycare after school to pick up Baker. I couldn't wait to shower her with hugs and kisses. She was snoozing away and had a great report! I told her I was proud of her 1st conduct report and to keep it up!