Chan, Chan, Change...

So, I went back to work last week. I started panicking and worrying about it probably a week after Nina was born. I think secretly, I thought that if I didn't talk about it, it would never happen; but it did. The scheduled date was January 12. However, after many snow days, and semester exams being rescheduled, I reentered the world of teaching young minds on the 18th. The night of the 17th, I honestly thought my heart was being ripped out every time I did anything for the "last" time as a stay-at-home mom. ("This is my last time to nurse" "This is my last time to tuck her in") I swear you would have thought I was going away for years. I made Lee promise months ago that he would have her my first day back. I think I thought that it would make me feel less lame calling and crying on my breaks. (I forgot how infrequently those happened in teaching) The morning came and I quickly complained about how early it was! Nina had been sleeping until 7:30-8:00 every morning and 5:30 was super early. I got ready, and nursed Nina and cried the whole time. As I got ready to walk out of the door, I think I nearly kissed a hole through her face.

Once I got to school, I was okay as long as nobody asked how I was doing. I'm there to do a job people, let's keep it professional! ;) As first block rolled around, I had forgotten how it felt to be in front of 31 people! My students filed in and took their seats and looked expectantly at me as though to say "Okay lady. Teach us something." In the midst of all of the things in my life in the last few months, I have turned very introverted and being in front of a group, for the first time in my life, was a huge fear. As I got in front of the class, it was like getting back on a bike: it all started to come back to me. With the help of my kids, I remembered my class rules and my expectations (hilarious that I forgot to tell them what to bring to class!). We just finished week 2 (With some snow days mixed in there) and I feel like everything is going great. Nina is doing well with all the awesome people that are so wonderful to keep her, and I have remembered why I love my job. I honestly think the anticipation of it all was worse than the actual event. Just glad to have the first day over with!

The last few weeks, Nina has been waking up several nights to nurse at around 12:30. She hadn't been waking up to nurse since she was 10 weeks old. I think it was a direct sign to us that the time for rice cereal had come! I plan (but don't hold me to it) on making her baby food, so I dug out my food processor. (I think I only ever used it for grinding up Oreos for the making of Dirt Cake) I ground up my brown rice and boiled it with water and then mixed in breastmilk. It wasn't too bad. We prepared for the whole event with video cameras and Lee's big, fancy, baby-picture-taking camera. Here are a few pics from the big event:

As you can tell, it was a great success! She even wanted a second bowl. I think Nola was hoping she would drop some (she is so helpful like that!). Attempt #2 after she wakes up from this nap!

These are a few of my favorite things...

So, every year Oprah has her "favorite things" episode where she parades her favorite things in front of America and then gives them away to her audience. So, I figured, why not make a list of my favorite things? I've been through a lot this year with finishing my Spanish degree, being pregnant, being on bedrest, having a baby, and being at home, that I thought I should share some of things that make me happy. So, without further adieu, in no certain order, here is my list! (And don't expect me to give it all away at the end!)

10. Boppy Total Body Pillow I am a devoted back sleeper. I have been made fun of for years about waking up in the exact same position in which I fell asleep. In your 20th week of pregnancy, you are supposed to start sleeping on your side (some doctors specify your left side). This sounded awful to me! Who sleeps on their side the whole night?! The Boppy company made this fabulous pillow that made sleeping wonderful! The pillow became such a fixture in my life (I went nowhere without it), that Lee named it "Bob the Boppy" or just "Bob" for short.

9. My Sonicare toothbrush. At my friend, Michele's, rehearsal dinner, I stated that "I floss anally". What I meant to say is that I am obsessed with flossing. (Way to make a great first impression, right?!) This toothbrush has made brushing our teeth a pleasure in our family and something we look forward to! (Don't make fun!) It is perfect for removing coffee stain (A big problem around our house!) *Note: ask your dentist to order it for you. They get it much cheaper than you can get it for in stores*

8. Clarisonic For Christmas this year, my mom got me this little gadget that I wasn't quite sure to make of. You put your face wash on it, and use it on your face to clean and oh my! does it ever clean!! This is the first time I've been off of Proactiv in 6 years and not had a breakout! (Lee even loves it, but don't tell him I told you... he never reads my blog)

7. A chenille throw blanket. When I was a junior in college, I bought this red throw blanket at Target that I used for every nap. I loved this blanket. So much, that when my friend, Katie, came to visit, she remembered my sweet blanket (that is now across the back of my couch.) It is warm enough for the winter, but cool enough to use to nap in an unairconditioned cabin. It was big enough to go around me when I was on bed rest and soft enough that Nina pets it. A must have.

6. Blue ink pens. In college, I learned that when a professor gave you a handout, it wasn't so easy to scan a page to differentiate between my notes and theirs. I have found this true on greeting cards as well. Just a plain ol' Bic blue ink pen. Love it.

5. Vaseline. Doesn't it fix everything? I often feel like the dad in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" with Windex. Diaper rash? Vaseline. Dry hands? Vaseline. Ring stuck on your finger? Vaseline. Seriously. (Oprah would never have that on her "Favorite Things" show.)

4. Stainless steel water bottle. Even thought we are often made fun of for our over-amount of greenness, these bottles rock! They keep your water cooler and they're safe with the whole BPA scare.

3. Weight Watchers. What a trick to diet while keeping enough calories where I can continue to nurse! I had no idea where to start, so I was eating like I was still pregnant to ensure enough calories for my milk supply. No wonder I wasn't losing baby weight! Weight Watchers has a specific plan for nursing mothers! I get a ridiculous amount of points (I totally had French Toast and bacon for breakfast and still have 22 points left for the day) and never feel deprived. However I am losing at a steady rate of 2 lbs a week (What's recommended to keep it off and for nursing.) Goodbye baby fat! (P.S. Sign up fee is free until March!)

*At this point, I ask Lee what my favorite things are. This is the conversation that happened:
Me: What would you say my favorite things are?
Lee: Me and Nina
Me: This is things not people
Lee: Your breast pump
Me: That's kinda awkward to blog about, don't ya think?
Lee: All of your favorite things are kinda awkward.
Thanks hon*

2. Gripe Water. We found out about this when Nina was a newborn. It is a magic combination of ginger and fennel that instantly cures hiccups. It is mostly made for colicky babies, but works wonders for hiccups, gas, etc. It's mostly Tums for babies and we love it.

1. I debated whether I should put my Kindle or my iPhone 4. Both of which are always by my side. So, lets just call it electronic devices. I used to have a stack of books beside my bed and they always took up a ton of room in my suitcase when we traveled and now it is super compact and you never worry about losing your place. On the iPhone, I used to be a huge believer in my Blackberry, but saw the light when I made the switch. I LOVE this phone. It can do pretty much everything you ever wanted a phone (or person, for that matter) to do.

So, that's that. No, you're not getting any of this free, but consider my advice a gift enough! ;)

Will I ever be good at blogging?

After watching the movie "Julie and Julia" (an amazing movie), I realized the neglect that has been done to my blog. Not all things on this blog will be baby-centered, but be prepared to hear lots about my little joy.

Being a mom has always been something that I knew I wanted to do. I knew I would love my child and spending time with her, but oh my word!! Nobody warned me that I would come to love (and like) her more every day. Last week was Lee's first seminary class since Nina was born. She and I were alone all week. I was so scared that she would have some horrid accident or come down with a life-threatening disease in the 4 days he was gone. I was wrong (Praise Jesus!) and she and I enjoyed a week of girl time. I used to dread Lee's weeks in seminary like I dread going to Wal-Mart in December. We would spend most evenings frustrated with the lack of cell phone service and intensity that his courses require. I used to look forward to the night they would leave Parchment Valley to go to Gino's Pizza for Two for Tuesdays because I knew the cell service would be consistent. This class, however, we had the joy of webcams! Several times during the day, Lee would be able to chime into the mecca of girl-time. Every night, he would "go" with me as I tucked Nina in and would be able to pray with us. First seminary class= great success!

This week marks the end of my stay-at-home-mom era. I can't believe that it's time for it to be over! When I was on bedrest and had to miss the first day of school, I thought that by the time the second semester came around, then I would be ready to go back to work- boy was I badly mistaken! I have gotten so accustomed to our little life of me being home and playing homemaker! My house and life has felt so under control. The time of dread started probably in October when I realized how quickly the first two months had gone by and I knew the next two would be equally as fast. So, here we are. I went to school today to somewhat get my bearings and prepare for the return to the world of early mornings and high-heels. I have missed my coworkers and students, but the thought of not smelling like spit-up and carrying a diaper bag everywhere is a little unsettling!

I am so lucky for my child-care workers to be my husband, mother, mother-in-law, and close friend. I know they all love Nina and will take such good care of her. As I started to wallow in my self-pity of all of the things I would miss, I was so convicted by the things I was failing to see. While singing in our praise band on Sunday, I had the realization that I was choosing to fail to see the fact that I had been called to teach and to minister to my students everyday. The place I have the opportunity to go to every morning, isn't just a job, but my place of ministry and my mission field. I had been praying for a peace that passes understanding, and I found it.

Stay tuned for more consistent blogging-hopefully...