It's Coming to an End...

Today is my last day at home on maternity leave...(tomorrow morning Violet and I fly to Iowa for the weekend, then I start work). I can't believe these nearly 20 weeks have gone by so quickly! And it's truly amazing how MUCH things change from those first weeks till the past few weeks. I dare say that becoming a mom is the fastest transformation in a woman's life :) You really don't need to read a lot of books, blogs, or articles to know how to care for and love your baby and family... Most of it just comes naturally :)

Over these past 20 weeks, I have LOVED the advice, love, and support from other moms (including my own) and family as well as some educated people in the field like our lactation specialist, pediatrician, and of course my amazing sister Melyssa :) It's quite spectacular how just having a baby opens up your life circle to so many more people! And friendly people, too! I swear I've never had so many 'hellos', smiles, doors be opened, and people just stopping to chat! And how fantastic is it that they always admire your baby?! Having a child has really opened my eyes to the natural goodness in people :)

I've loved my time at home so much more than I thought I would. I mean, I always knew I'd love being a mom, but I didn't realize just HOW much that might be :) Every look, smile, giggle, and even her cries make my heart skip a beat (maybe in a sad way for the latter). She's such a good baby :) Demanding? YES. But such a good little bloom :) So good in fact that I've asked my boss if it's possible to come back to a per diem position (they don't do part time). I hear back from her today, so send up some happy thoughts and a prayer for us :) I'm hoping to work three 10 hr days instead of four 9 hr days. That would give me 4 days at home with her and Odie :) A better life balance for us :) We'll see!

Last weekend I did something I haven't done since Violet was born... I got my hair cut! It was getting waaaaay too long and just gross. When I sat down, after some chatting my hairstylist Lori asked me, "what kind of look are you going for?" I was confused and said, "what do you mean?" she said, "mermaid meets Samoan? Because that's kind of what it looks like..." To this I laughed since I know how nice, yet honest she is... And I knew at that moment that I looked like a rag-a-muffin! So 6+ inches off and dyed back to brown I went :) By the way, my hair MUST have been super long because even with 6 inches gone, my hair is still long! She also encouraged me to come in for my free bang trims... Yikes... She knew I have been doing them myself... Caught red handed! I'll say in my defense that SHE taught me how to cut them so I wouldn't have to come in every time... I guess she thought my abilities less than adequate? :) lol

Ps- do you think Odie will be okay when I return to work? I think he's gonna be sooooo sad :(

Pps- How gross is it that last night I JUST removed the toenail polish from a pedicure date I had with a girlfriend over 14 weeks ago? Back when V was still taking a bottle... I repainted.