This has to be one of the scariest transitions for new mothers. For three months it has been the two of us all day, every day. I know his quirks, I have managed his feeding schedules, I got into a groove, I wore too much lululemon, and I got SO many naps. And after three months of grueling work (minus the naps and me staring in awe at him because I'm his mom and think he is the most amazing creature to bless this forsaken planet #helicopterparent), I have to leave it all behind and send him off to scream in my sister's face. And yes, my sister is awesome enough to watch our little guy while we are off trying to make it big in this world.
I was working part time from home during maternity leave, and much of what I am doing in the office is what I was doing from home. However, I think the separation has ultimately been good for us #idontwanttobeahelicopterparent. I am more exhausted at the end of the day, but I am also more excited to interact with Everett when I get home. (Hey Moms, you know how in the evenings you are like, "What else can I possibly do to entertain you today?" when it is still 2 hours from bedtime, and you just turn on the TV because you are too exhausted to give any more? It turns out I'm more interested in evening playtime now that I'm not with him all day.) AND the structure in my life has made it easier for me to remember to brush my teeth. Hollah!
My goal is to have my time home to be fun and exciting for all of us, rather than the norm. We will see how this goes...
So here is the summary for my first week back:
Day 1 - Forgot snacks, forgot milk storage bag for work, left pumped milk at work and had to go back.
Day 2 - Forgot milk storage bag for work, forgot lids for the bottles of pumped milk (I hope to NEVER make this mistake again), left pumped milk at work and had to go back.
Day 3 - Forgot milk storage bag for work, packed extra lids for the bottles (see Day 2), left pumped milk at work and had to go back. Am I learning from my mistakes yet?
Day 4 - Remembered milk storage bag for work!!! You mostly just need this accessory so coworkers don't get disgusted from the human milk sitting next to their PB&J. Left pump bottles at home and had to go back, but remembered to bring my pumped milk home on the first try.
Day 5 - I will not make any mistakes. This is a goal, not reality.
In conclusion:
Here is a note on pumping. After I'm done I like to wash out the pump parts. I call them "the horns" because they look like musical instruments. If you feel sheepish walking said horns to the bathroom to complete this task, you may also want to pack a carrying device. However, the average person has no idea what you have in your hands, so I've just been taking them out in the open. I've been approached by a few people in the halls welcoming me back and giving me hugs of congratulations, and so far not one person has looked twice at what I am carrying.
How much breastmilk does a 3 month old need to eat? According to the Department of Health flier we received, a baby Everett's age should be eating between 24-39 ounces of breastmilk in a 24 hour period. After pumping, I organize the milk into bottles of 5oz for a feeding, then store the leftovers in 2oz portions. They go in the freezer when I get home. Everett usually eats 4-5 ounces every 3 hours or so (that equates to 6 feedings a day since he is still sleeping through the night). We experimented with a bottle of 6oz...he threw up all over my sister's house. So 5oz it is!
I think other babies eat between 3-4 ounces per feeding, but Evers is much like his dad in that he can eat whatever you put in front of him, then never gain weight. Jeff has also been known to eat so much that he vomits.
Also, Jeff thinks he's getting fat. Let's all take a moment to consider how ridiculous this is...
In conclusion, the snooze button is the devil, and I am now remembering this. Also this:
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| My baby can look at his feet. Isn't he the smartest? |
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