I am working full-time this week and you know what? I kinda like it. It’s funny because when I initially entertained the thought of leaving my baby for one day a week I was all teary and “she needs me!” but I quickly came to enjoy my Mondays at work. And while it’s a little crazy getting my both my hair brushed and Avelyn’s face and hands deblueberrified* before 8 am, I find that once I’m at the office I am feeling great and Avelyn really doesn’t even seem to notice my absence. I know that deep in her heart she must feel this aching void, this “ou est ma mere?!” sensation but she seems to hide it a little too well.

I seem to be an amphibious** mother and worker. When I am at home building block towers with Avelyn and doing ridiculous dances to coax a giggle out of her I feel happy and as though I’m in the right place. But then when I step into the office, sink into my chair, poise my hands above the keyboard and begin working I feel as though I’m in the right place too. I don’t think I am ready for full-time work on a consistent basis yet (I’m just covering three weeks of holiday time this summer for our full-time secretary) but I am understanding how working helps so many moms feel more balanced in their identities. That’s not to suggest that those who choose to stay at home are missing out; I am just surprised at my personal experience and how much I’ve enjoyed going back to work after I was already so enjoying my time at home.

In other news, my kid hasn’t slept through the night in eight months and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what happened to the sleepy cherub who, from months 2-5, slept for blissful 11-hour stretches. She left in a huff and in her place came a baby who wakes up at least once, if not more frequently, in the wee hours of every morn, demanding a bottle of milk. I am pretty well used to our midnight routine now but am growing weary of stumbling, bleary-eyed, into the kitchen to warm a bottle, chuck it into her crib and pray fervently that she’ll suck herself to sleep. I know that we’ve created a monster. It’s a habit for her to want a middle-of-the-night bottle but it’s just been so much easier than having to deal with crying it out, or what have you. I am not opposed to crying it out, but I’d like to try some gentler methods first. Any of you seasoned veterans care to share what worked for you and your families in convincing your babes to sleep through the night?

PS: No horror stories of your eight year old who still gets up three times a night, OK?

*She is addicted to blueberries. I am considering an A&E Intervention. I kid you not when I say that there have been a few days this week when 95% of her diet has consisted of blueberries: one morsel of toast, then a bowl of blueberries. One bite of ham, then a high-chair tray full of blueberries. The diaper changes have been a tad disturbing.

**For the record, I hate that word. Because I loathe amphibians. Specifically, salamanders. When I was young we lived near a man-made lake and one year they dumped a bunch of salamanders in it to, I don’t know, help the marine biology or something. Well, they all escaped…and then shrivelled up and died on the sidewalks. We’d be walking to school, weaving our paths through the salamander carcasses. It was a troubled childhood I led.

Yessss! You guys are wonderful. Thanks for the questions and ideas; I really appreciate them and I think they’re just what I needed to get the dust shaken from my dormant mind.

Today’s post will be dedicated to the work-related inquiries:

I am the secretary (ahem, administrative assistant) at Summerland Baptist Church. It’s the church Steve and I have attended ever since we moved to Summerland and working there is truly a privilege. The staff is warm and fun-loving, the environment is positive and uplifting, the job involves a lot of just talking to people (and I do have the gift of gab), everyone was very supportive of my taking a full year off to be with my baby, and they were so accomodating with my hopes of returning for a solitary weekday. I love it there! I feel like I am more than a secretary there; I feel like a part of a team that is making a positive impact on our community.

I only work on Mondays and am free the rest of the week. I will have to cover the holiday weeks of the full-time secretary this summer, which may prove to be a tad chaotic, but the extra income will be greatly appreciated.

Beck asked for a telling of my and Steve’s love story. I’m too lazy to write the whole thing out right now, so take a glance at this post for the full meal deal.

I have four minutes left on my lunch break and thought I’d break into the office early to give you an update on my first day back at work. In short, I am loving it! It feels so good to be back in my soft, cushy desk chair madly typing away. I phoned to check in on Avelyn and she’s doing fine at the sitter’s so that’s good news.

I received three “Welcome Back” bouquets this morning and have been greeted by many a smiling face. It’s good to be back.

This one day a week deal is pretty sweet.

Like the sweet onion teriyaki sub I scarfed down for lunch today.

PS: Total weight loss to date…5 pounds. I’m getting soo skeeeneeee!