Back to work, done!

Did it. Went back to work this week. Turns out the thought of going back to work was much worse than the reality. 

It could have went smoother, Joel was up in the wee hours crying and fussing because he is teething. After 2 1/2 hours of soothing and shushing, a dose of nurofen and a nappy change the only thing that got him over to sleep was 4ozs in his bottle. He hasn't had a night time bottles since the discovery of the magical powers of supper on 12th July! My husband was great, taking the lead as he was conscious it was my first day back at work the next day but even so it was after 5am before we all got back to sleep!

  Joel usually wakes at about 6.30am. I had planned to get up with him and have some play time before heading to work. But due to his unsettled night he had the cheek to sleep in! At 7.30 I was ready to get to work but anxious to leave without seeing Joel. I decided to have a slice of toast and a cup of tea and if he still wasn't awake I would leave. 

I ate my toast and drank my tea veerrryy sllooowwwlllyyy. 

At 8.10 he woke -hurray! Phil hopped out of bed and the pair of them gave me a lift to work so I wasn't late on my first day! 

When I arrived at work I was disappointed by the lack of gossip, and soon realised that everything was pretty much the same. Same co workers, same customers, same stinky microwave, same issues being discussed at management meetings. 

I was nervous about returning to my job, feeling a bit lost as I was sure I had forgotten everything! There was no 'back to work' settling in period put in place, I was simply left to my own devices! But I buddied myself up with a coworker to shadow for a while as I got up to date with any new guidance and I was soon in the swing of things! 

The highlight of my first day back at work had to be when a coworker, an older man in his late 50s/early 60s who swears like a big sweary thing came to tell me there was a box of biscuits to share. When I turned from my computer to speak to him he had two Cadburys chocolate fingers sticking out his nose! I haven't laughed so much in ages. And yes, he ate them. 

The day flew in, I had two hot cups of tea, a relaxed lunch break and good aul catch up with everyone. 

Joel had a lovely day with his granda and I came home to a smiley baby and a big pot of carrot and chickpea soup with wheaten bread and cheese. Lovely!

Got this photo while I was at work. Joel sleeping on the swings in the park. 

Work has its perks! Hot cup of tea, drank right to the end. God I love tea!

My advice to all my friends facing the gloom of going back to work is that the thought of it is much worse than doing it! Think of all the tea!!

Drew Barrymore's clever words

Just a wee thought...

Having been on maternity leave for 7 months now I have conquered many new skills, the swift ninja nappy change to prevent pee sofa/carpet/clothes, rocking the 'boke on shoulders' look like it's super fly, multitasking like a pro and mastering the day time TV schedule.  I no longer slum it with Jeremy Kyle ( ok, ok, sometimes I do!)  but have discovered Oprah on TLC channel.  Recently I watched an interview she did with Drew Barrymore.  On 26th September 2012 Drew Barrymore became a new 'mom' as the americans say.  A little baby girl 'Olive' - such a cute name, and I think Drew has done a great job in putting motherhood into words.

'Motherhood is like having the worst crush of your life.'

Well said.  So true.  I can relate.
In the early days I devoted so much love and attention to Joel and got nothing in return.  When he smiled my heart fluttered, 'Is he smiling at me? Did he like that silly face I pulled? Does he think I'm funny!!??"
When he smiled at someone else I was a bit jealous.  'Why is he smiling for them? Does he like them better than me?'
When I was away from Joel I spent my whole time thinking about him, wondering what he was doing, to the point I was distracted.
When I was returning home to him after going to the shop I was so excited to see him, climbing the stairs to my flat a little faster.
Thinking about him makes me smile.

I love her description of motherhood, and I also love her lobster suit for baby Olive.