Drunk Birthday Photos of the Past and Back to Work

I don't do birthdays with class. 

My birthdays? Are either a drunken good time, or a night of junk food. 

24th birthday. Liquor and ice cream cake

19th birthday

23rd birthday

20th birthday - No, they're not all mine

Chloe's birthday? Reduced me to tears. 

When Chloe's birthday party was over and the guests left and Chloe was having a nap, all I could do was look around and try not to cry. The leftover decorations and new presents were just a huge reminder that the party was over. My daughter's first birthday party had come and gone. It was the last big event of my super long vacation. Not only was her party over, it also served as a bit of an 'end'. The end of my 13 months of maternity leave. 

I was only set to go back to work a week later, on October first, but knew things were a bit up in the air after going in for a job interview. As of Sunday, I had no idea if I'd be starting work that week or the next, but either way my time home with Chloe was coming to a quick end. I always knew I'd be sad when it was time to go back to work, but I thought I'd take it easily enough. I was a little sadder than anticipated. 

I got a call Monday around lunch that had me packing up Chloe with enough clothes and food to last her a week, and bringing her to my mothers. She only starts daycare on October 1st, but the phone call was asking me to start work on Wednesday (today), to start the new job that I had been interviewed for. 

This is a huge deal for me and Chloe because my old job (which I love) could only give me a couple of daytime shifts a week. Squeezing in enough shifts to make a decent pay check would've been incredibly hard, and most likely would've ended with me either working two jobs, or looking for a new job altogether. 

This new job is Monday to Friday, and the hours are within daycare hours. I don't have to worry about working anymore. This should be a huge relief, and it is, but I'm still sad to leave my daughter, and especially early. It makes me especially sad, because for her to stay with my mother (an hour away), I won't see her all week, including her birthday.

Chloe and my mother

I woke up the morning of her birthday and just lay there feeling sad about how I wasn't waking up to her pretty face. It was especially hard because she's been a bit feverish since the afternoon of her party. I hate being away from her. 

But ultimately, this is great for us so that's what I'm doing. And today, by the time you're reading this post, I should be starting my first day of training at my new job. 

I am now a conference coordinator. Doesn't that sound important? I love having a nice title. 

But I sure do miss my baby.