Our New Routine

I went back to work last March 1st - at the last minute I decided I'd only return part time, to ease our transition. However, on my first day, it felt so good to be back at work that I ended up staying most of the day. And that's how it went the rest of the week. It felt so good to be back at work. Throughout each day I marveled at just how good it felt to be back at work, which was quickly followed up by an inkling of guilt for enjoying my workday interactions. By 1 p.m. I realized I hadn't even called to check on Elin... so I quickly dialed up the daycare only to find my suspicions were true: Elin was doing great. Relief.

Backtrack to the Monday night before March 1st. I wish the March 1st Aubrey could've told the February 28 Aubrey that all would be fine. As soon as I dropped my mom off at the airport, my mind went into overdrive. Pump, pack bottles, label bottles, get ice packs, lay out clothes for both girls, pack Bella's lunch, pack blankets for both girls, set clocks, iron & lay out my clothes, pack my lunch...the list seemed endless. I went home and robotically and sytematically checked things off the list. Double checked list. Reviewed list with Charles. Triple checked list. Quadruple checked alarm clock & volume. By 11 p.m. I was sure everything was set. I put a checklist on the door for each of us. Aubrey: pump, pump parts, bottles, ice pack, lunch, iphone, pager. Charles: ipad, iphone, Elin, Bella. Elin: Bottles, ice pack, blanket. Bella: lunch, ice pack, blanket, coat, hat, & gloves. I was so busy preparing all evening that I didn't have time to worry about Elin's first day. She had transitioned to the bottle well (better than Bella and that's definitely a big improvement), but not great, so I was worried about that.

Phew. Finally, done. I spent the rest of the evening staring at Elin, silently apologizing that I couldn't be with her, praying she would eat well, praying that her daycare teacher would love her, care for her, be patient with her. As a large, pear shaped tear landed on her cheek, she grinned in her sleep - as if to say, "Mom, it'll be alright." I might've cried some more anyway.

Morning came and of course, things didn't go as smooth as I had hoped. The plan was that I would get up early and leave by 0545 and go in by 0630. Charles wouldn't bring the Elin to school until 0700, Bella at 0730. By going in early, I could leave at 2:30 p.m and pick up Elin by 3, limiting her daycare time to 8 hours. I knew it would be a learning process. Luckily, I can go into work when I want/need. So, we slowed things down and I went along to drop Elin off for the first time. It wasn't as hard as it was with Bella, probably because she is younger starting daycare and this is our second time around the block. Elin happily went to Shannon. I reiterated that Elin needed patience with her bottles, she wasn't that great at the bottle. Please pay attention to her breathing! And, off we went.

My mind immediately shifted to thinking about work, the big projects ahead, our upcoming investigations, where I left things, and getting caught up. So, the day was great and again, it felt great to be back at work. End of day, mad dash to car, speed to Elin's school and smother her in hugs & kisses.

That night preparing for the next day went smoother and so did the following morning. Cut 5-10 minutes off our time. And, the rest of the week our morning routine times improved. So did evening prep. Just...exhausted...by...Friday. But pleased at how things were going. Slowly got into the groove at work, Elin was doing great at school. Though it had been a tough week, it was also a successful transition for the Hall family.

ELIN

1. She is super generous with her HUGE smile.
2. She is cooing and babbling already!
3. She smiles with her eyes. They seriously sparkle. Serious.
4. She giggles so preciously.
5. 2 month stats: 12 pounds, 10 oz (95th percentile) and 24 inches (95th percentile).
6. She is well out of newborn and 0-3 month clothes and fits perfectly into the 3-6 month category.
7. She is holding her head up and sitting in the bumbo well.
8. She LOVES the changing table.
9. She likes to self soothe by sucking on her hands.
10. She LOVES it when Bella baby talks with her.

BELLA

1. Did I tell you she's fully potty trained? I'm still hesitant to not use pull ups at night, but they're dry in the morning 98% of the time.
2. She knows all the sounds of her letters.
3. We're working on spelling three letter words.
4. She enjoys baking with me, particularly the frosting & sprinkles part.
5. She is comfortable playing in the kids' pool without us in it and without her water wings.
6. She will be starting soccer in a few weeks.
7. She likes her hair short "like mommy".
8. She LOVES buttoning and unbottoning since she's learned how.
9. She really likes to wear her dresses lately.
10. She LOVES, just LOVES Elin. She's always the first to say, "Mommy, Elin's awake, you hafta get her." OR "Mommy, I think Elin's hungry." She adores her, gives her tons of kisses, and hugs her all the time.

CHARLES

Charles' opening day for his new Redmond Emergency Center is this weekend. He's put his heart & soul into this project over the last year, so we're really excited to see all his planning and work come to fruition this weekend. We'll be attending the open house this weekend! Let's see if I can do a list for him:
1. He's an amazing father.
2. He's an incredible husband.
3. He requires very little sleep.
4. He can sleep at the drop of a dime, though, which has been very helpful to him during sleepless nights (either from work projects or Elin)!
5. He takes Bella swimming. It's their father/daughter time.
6. Though his plate is incredibly full, he makes it home for dinner most nights.
7. He can't stay awake for an entire movie to save his life!
8. He's slightly addicted to his iPhone.
9. I wake up for Elin, he wakes up for Bella.
10. He plays soccer on Monday nights!