A Week Without Baby

I started my new job on Wednesday. 

I am now a conference coordinator. I book conference spaces for a hotel. A secretary-type job, but that's the kind I like. So far, I've only completed two days of work, but I know I'll like the job. 

I don't have much to talk about with my munchkin still being at my mothers. I pick her up tonight, and I'm pretty excited to see her. She's been sick with a fever, but Mom found evidence that it might be a huge tooth coming in. Poor girl. Oh, how I miss her. 

With her gone I've spent some time cleaning the apartment - sorting baby clothes and mopping floors. I've shopped a little. I've taken the bus home from work for the first time. 

Really, there's been nothing interesting to report. 

So this concludes my really boring update on what's been going on lately. 

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. 

Chloe's First Birthday Party

Chloe's first birthday party was Sunday. It was a great day.

A bunch of family and friends came over for food, cake and presents. We started the party at two, although most people arrived long before. The birthday girl put on her party dress and the fun started. 

She got a bunch of great presents: Some Megablocks, Elmo who plays the drums, finger painting set, a purse and accessories, a bowling set, a bunch of clothes, and a bunch of other things. She also got a blanket made out of her baby clothes from me. 

I took a million photos, so I'll share a few with you of the birthday girl. 

And a few of family and friends, including the actual birthday boy and girl in the middle, my brother and sister. 

Overall, a great day, and I was incredibly sad to see it and end have everyone leave. 

And today? It's baby girl's actual birthday. 

It's Almost Party Weekend

I'm sitting by myself in the dark, kind of. It's just after lunch on Friday. The weather is not what you'd call nice, hence the darkness. Chloe is napping, boyfriend is at work, and I'm using this time to catch up on reading blogs. 

The weekend is an important one. 

Sunday is Chloe's first birthday party. Friends and family will be coming over to help celebrate. I am beyond excited to see some of these people. It's been too long since I've seen some of them, like my grandfather. 

I bought a bunch of food, a bunch of supplies, the little present and the outfit. But I still don't feel prepared. 

There's still cleaning to do, the big present to pick up, and a few small groceries to get. A few more groceries to get, since I ate some of the party food. Oops. 

I also went a job interview yesterday. I don't want to get into details, but I'm hoping to hear back about it today, whether it's a good answer or a bad one. A lot of things depend on that answer, no matter which way it goes. 

So things are a bit all over the place here. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, and I think I just need to write out a to-do list and tackle it, then I'll feel better. 

Oh how I love lists. 

What's your weekend looking like?

It Feels Like Family

Somehow, growing up I always knew I'd end up being a single mother. I was always so shy and awkward, I just never saw things working out for me traditionally. Maybe it was me being pessimistic, or maybe it was me being realistic. There are a lot of single mothers out there. But unlike me, most of them don't start out immediately as single mothers. 

What I didn't see coming, was how quick and easy it would be to meet someone, and form a little family of our own. 

I love watching our girls play together and bond. I love watching them laugh and occasionally hug and kiss. I love watching them splash in the bath and play peek-a-boo under the high chair. 

I love having someone to give the girls a bath so I can clean up the supper mess. I love doing the dishes together while talking about anything. 

I love having a guy who poses for stupid pictures for me. I love that money is never a fight. I love that there never really is a fight, just a discussion. I love making plans and talking about future holidays and birthdays together. 

I love that the laundry piles grow three times as fast and the sinks are never free of dishes. I love that toys and sippy cups are always everywhere. Even though some mornings are too early and some nights too rough, it feels like family. I like the feeling.