Mobility: It Begins

I've been thankful for every. single. day. of maternity leave. I knew things were going to be tight when I decided to take the full 12 weeks that are allowed (7 of which are unpaid...). This amazing time spent watching my little baby during her tiniest times could not have been possible without Ben's job at ISU. Being practically within walking distance to our parents during Charlotte's first 3 months has been the biggest blessing - for all of us. It's going to be incredibly hard to say goodbye to everyone next Monday morning as Charlotte and I move back to Kentucky.

While it's easy to get caught up in how difficult it will be to leave family - especially Ben - behind so that I can return to work, I have to remain thankful for this precious time with Charlotte. We all have to remember how lucky it was for all of this to work out the way it has. Although it stinks that Ben's job here is temporary, we wouldn't have been able to spend these first 3 months up here without it.

I wouldn't have been able to capture this moment today without it...

With my return to work within eyesight (see you next week, MC!), I'm starting to get nervous. I'm nervous about the stress & demands of the job, figuring out how to continue nursing, the lack of sleep, and just leaving my girl every day! I don't want to miss a minute - the girl grows if you blink! I'm also fortunate to have a host of guests lined up to watch C for me while Ben finishes work at ISU. Ben's mom, my dad, my mom, and my friend Sharon are all coming to spend a week or two with us so that C can stay home during the day.

And after the holidays Ben will get to make up for lost time with the opportunity to stay home with her while I finish the school year. We all joke that she'll be able to rattle off her state capitals by Easter! But all joking aside, these two will be just fine. Daddy has a lot to teach Baby, and Baby has a lot to teach Daddy. I know she's been schooling me for over 12 weeks!!

Charlotte telling Ben how to carve his pumpkin