1st Trip to the Zoo

So...although this is a little late (going back to work has made it difficult to keep up) I wanted to share Camryn's first trip to the zoo.  I was lucky enough to return to work the week of fall break and Cammie and I took advantage of the beautiful day.  Together with our friends, Danielle, Riley, Luciana, Meghan and Maddie we ventured to The Lousiville Zoo.  Camryn wasn't too impressed with the animals (she is still little :), but did an awesome job riding around the zoo!  What a great way to start fall break!

Halloween

Although Camryn was too little to go trick or treating, we couldn't resist dressing her up as a strawberry (thanks to Aunt Tammy for picking out and buying her Halloween costume :). 

Our teeny, tiny strawberry :)

Camryn and her favorite Aunt Chrissie

Camryn has had enough with the strawberry costume!

A little better...

Mom's favorite...look at that smile!

Feeling much better now that the costume is off....love being in just my diaper!

Back to Work....

Unfortunately this day had to come....Monday, October 11th...the day I had to return to work. :(  


Returning to work was such a mix of emotions for me.  Although I was excited at the thought of being a productive human being again (I am definitely not a stay at home kind of girl), I worried so much about balancing work, the Y, household tasks, Chris and most of all being a good, no GREAT mom to Cammie (especially with additional stress added to my plate).  I could not forget the way work had made me feel over the past three years and was concerned whether or not I would be able to just walk away. 


The Sunday before was definitely a HARD day.  I think I cried over a dozen times as I thought about all the things I would miss when I returned to work (rocking Cammie to sleep during the day, meeting my mom and dad for lunch at Chick-fil-A, watching trash T.V. (how Chris refers to daytime television) as Cammie laid on my chest and the dogs were at my feet and of course all of the "first" things that she would do).  Chris had to constantly remind me that I would still be able to do those things, just not as often or at the same time.


Monday morning quickly came and Camryn and I headed out the door for what I thought would be the longest day of my life.  I can honestly report that returning to work ended up being much easier than I ever anticipated. My amazing co-workers welcomed me back and really made me feel like they missed me while I was gone.  My students seemed so excited to see me and reminded me why I decided to become a teacher and do what I do each day.  The day quickly ended and each consecutive day since has gone just as fast.  I can honestly say I do a much better job of leaving work at school, not stressing about the small stuff and leaving school at a decent hour each day (around 4:15 which was unheard of from me before).  


I truly believe that some women are meant to be with their children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while others are meant to work and be with their children part of the 24 hours in each day. Growing up, my mom worked third shift as a nurse and she worked a lot.  My brother and I spent a portion of each week at my grandma's house and although I missed her, I knew she was doing something that made her happy and would benefit our family in the end.  Today, I aspire to be the type of mom to Camryn that she has been to me. Although I miss Camryn like crazy while I am at work, being away from her for a portion of the day makes me truly appreciate the time I have with her in the evenings.  I love that I am now able to drop whatever I am working on to do whatever she needs (feed, hold, rock and/or love her).  Although I would give anything to be with her during the day I know that I am making a choice that will better her life now and in the future. I want to be able to give her what she needs and most of what she wants.  I want to be able to send her to college and get her started in the right direction for life just as my parents did for me. If I didn't work we would have to sacrifice some or all of those things that I know she deserves.  I tell this to myself each day, especially on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning when the end of the week does not seem close enough! :)


I don't know how this post got to be so long...guess that is what happens when you haven't blogged since returning to work :)

Our Monster

Just had to show off our little monster!

I think she looks like her dad here...must be the face! :)

Mommy's Little Monster :)

(P.S. I am LOVING dressing Cammie in all the fun Halloween clothes and accessories...pumpkin hats, ghost bows, monster attire! Definitely a reason to love Halloween again!)

Picking Pumpkins

Last Saturday Chrissie, Amy, Cammie and I headed to Hubers to celebrate the beginning of fall and take some must have pictures of Cammie in the pumpkin patch.  Although we weren't there too long (the weather was finally fall-like, so it was of couse crowded) we had a great time! I think this is the start of a great fall tradition! :)

Cammie and Mommy in the pumpkin patch

On the way back from the pumpkin patch

Kisses from two of my favorite people!

What a great day!

In her dreams...

One of my favorite things to do right now is watch Camryn sleep...she is so animated when she sleeps!  She wiggles around, her arms fly and she can be so full of expression.  I also love the way she smiles so big and sometimes lets out a great big laugh.  It makes me wonder what she is dreaming about that is so funny?  I wish I could capture it on video so I will never forget the sound, but she does it so sporadically that it has just been impossible.  I just wanted to jot it down, so I would at least remember that right now there is nothing better than that sweet sound of Cammie's laughter! 

Puppy Love

Before Cammie was born, Chris and I thought of our two boxers, Zoey and Brohdi as our babies.  As we anxiously awaited Camryn's arrival we heard many concerns about our dogs...Would they tolerate the baby?  How would they act around the baby? Would we still love them with the baby?  Judging by these pictures I think they have fallen for her just as much as we have :)  Brohdi and Zoey are still our fur babies, who now LOVE Camryn just as much as we do!

Cammie and Brohdi napping in mom's bed.



Cammie and Brohdi sleeping on the couch.



Cammie and Zoey



Zoey giving Cammie a kiss on the cheek.