Just when I started to figure it out at home...

I'm back at work! I haven't talked much about work on my blog, but I have an absolutely amazing job with even more amazing people. I work at the children's hospital here in Memphis. There are 13 of us in my department (Marketing and Communications) and we are a tight bunch. All of us women. Of the 13 of us, 9 are working moms with age ranges 3 months to 19 years. Preston and another department baby boy were born the same week, even! We had a huge year last year filled with national recognition, the opening of a brand new hospital, and a year that I am sure none of us will ever forget. It was one of those once-in-a-career years. My last day of work was Friday, January 28. I delivered Preston Monday, January 31. It's been 12 weeks, or three full months.

I came back to work with an awesome support system of other working moms. There is always an ear to listen to my paranoia, advice to be given, and concerns to be understood. I am truly blessed. I know that this is not a normal work environment. It made coming back easy. It made me realize how much I truly love my work. I already have my plate FULL of projects. Just like I like it!

I am working 40 hours a week. Four days a week Preston is at our on-site daycare (another amazing perk of my job). One day a week, he is with my mother-in-law. Our on-site daycare is just temporary until Preston starts at First Baptist Day School in August. Of course, I am nervous about leaving him anywhere anytime. Plus, I do miss him.

So, I'm back. Maternity leave is over. My taste of the stay-at-home-mom life is over. How am I feeling? Content and balanced. How is Preston feeling? He loves daycare. In fact, for a baby that needs as much stimulation as Preston does, daycare is GOOD for him. He is eating great, napping great, and the teachers loves him. Those teachers are amazing. They are baby whisperers. I don't even have to explain anything to them, they just know. Preston goes easily to them, and it makes my heart happy.

I had someone tell me once that daycare is a dirty word. Daycare is a great thing as long as the right place is chosen and you and your husband are on the same page with it. There is a line in the Baby Whisperer book that says that it is completely ridiculous to think that no one can take care of your child as well as you can. To think that is being over-baring and possessive. In some ways, I think I am the expert on Preston, but at the same time, I know that he can go to a place that loves him, nurtures him, and cares for him everyday. Rather than it scarring him for life, he can come out a better kid. Brian and I want Preston to thrive inside and OUTSIDE of our home. We want him to be comfortable around people, socialized, and independent. I am excited about daycare for him. We will work hard to teach him these things (and many more things!) in our home, but it is great to have it acted out at a safe place that we love.

Well, that's my rant on daycare :) I know this arragement isn't for everyone, but it works for our family.