Back to Work We Go!

It's been a while (again) since my last post, and the biggest thing that's changed is that I went back to work this past week. Albeit part-time and only Wednesday-Friday, but it's a pretty big step for any first-time mom to leave their baby with a stranger when they've gotten used to spending 24/7 together.

Anyway. It wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be, I'm happy to report. I didn't cry or make a complete ass of myself at the office. I was sad, for sure, but I also realize that I can't keep Angus to myself indefinitely, and it's for his benefit for him to be around other kids. The daycare we chose (as if we had THAT many realistic choices in the absurd competitive world of Arlington childcare) is an in-home situation run by 3 people (I think of perhaps Iranian or Afghani origin, I'm not sure and am far too conditioned by my job to directly ask the question). There are 5 other kids of varying ages, and so far, so good. Angus has proven to be a star by eating his way through an impressive number of bottles in the short 5.5 hours he's been spending there daily so far, pooping through a shocking number of outfits, and generally being a pretty calm baby. I'm back to work full-time this coming week. I doubt I'll struggle more with that than the part-time care, but I guess we'll see.

Going back to work has been, for me, a no-brainer decision. Partially because we don't have a choice financially :). But it is a choice a lot of women struggle with, partially because of how they think they'll be perceived by their peers. On the one hand, there's the concern that, by going back to work, a woman will seem less caring and like a lesser mother. On the other hand, by opting to be a stay-at-home mom, some women worry they will be deemed less relevant and taken less seriously. However, for me - I don't, quite frankly, give a shit what other people think of my decision - it was pretty simple. Angus will be better off with a mother who has her own life and thus fulfilled in more than one way. Staying home with him for my leave was wonderful, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything - nor would I turn down the chance to have additional leave - but he will need his world expanded beyond his mommy and daddy eventually, anyway.

Next up for him: pushing ME in the jogging stroller and getting a job! I hear mowing lawns is the cool thing to do....

In other news, Grandma and Grandpa visited for about a week, leaving a bit over a week ago. It was, as always, great to have them here. Not only did they get plenty of Angus bonding time, they were also immensely helpful in watching him and feeding him when mommy needed a quick break. A few photos from their trip are also included

Wee man being a good sport mid- road trip back from Williamsburg, where we went for the wedding of one of Christopher's coworkers/friends the night after Ragnar.

Abandoned baby!!!! Well, Dad trying to encourage Angus to go to Georgetown. His mommy is very much discouraging this decision.

Grandpa and Angus time.

Stop-off in Jamestown en route to Arlington from Williamsburg.

Starting line of the Ragnar race. I ran about 16 miles, a far cry from my 43-mile effort at last year's DC Ragnar, but still a solid effort, I think, less than 3 months after an emergency C-Section.

Someone "tagged" us with Obama 2016 during the race. We thought it was pretty funny until we started getting aggressively honked at in rural MD. At which point we erased Obama and wrote in Carfax. Now, most people would realize the joke, but we decided it wasn't worth getting chased down by an angry Republican in the bumblef**k of MD for.

Smiling like a champ :)

Watching a Celtic game with daddy

His new play pad

Chubby cheeks



Loving his new pad