Maternity Leave

It's my last week of maternity leave and I cannot believe our 12 weeks together without me being at work is almost up.  In the last 12 weeks you've taught me so much.  I think I am a lot more patient with things in life, as your crying just doesn't stop sometimes when I pick you up, instead I loop from the kitchen to the living room many times before you're content.  I also never thought I could love another person so much and care for someone as much as I do for you.  Not to mention, as much as I was a morning person before you came along (this is not sarcastic - I used to be up around 5 am on weekdays and before 7 am on weekends), I have realized that hanging out with you in those early morning hours is the best, especially when it includes your snuggles.  Finally, I think seeing your smiling face and beautiful eyes wipes away any tension or stress I have felt in the last 12 weeks.  I am hoping this will be the way you greet me when I get home from work next week. 

Now enough about the changes in me.  You've changed so much too.  You now weigh 4 pounds more and are 2.5 inches longer.  One of the biggest changes is that your eyes are open so much more during the day!  This provides a lot of time for you to coo, smile, and laugh, it also means you are crying less (maybe this is because Dad and I have figured out what your cries mean and we are better adjusted).  You also love to play on your play mats or sit in your chair and look around.  Finally, you've developed a schedule throughout the day which includes times when you nap and those when you're wide awake and ready to play.  It's so crazy to me how much you've changed throughout these weeks and I love all the moments I have shared with you.  I hope we have a lot of good moments this week and in those weeks to come when I adjust back to going to work.

The end of my maternity leave also means you get to hang out with Dad now each day.  He's staying home with you and as I was talking to you on the changing table this morning (trying to keep you calm while you got dressed and while your stomach was growling), you were smiling and giggling and loved to hear about hanigng out with Dad.  I think you two will have great moments this summer too and Dad will love this time at home with you.  I'm excited to hear about the things that you do with him in the months to come! 

As a look back, here's two pictures for you.  One from your first couple days of life and one from this past week.  You've changed so much, but one thing remains the same - you still love to keep your hands up above your head or out to your sides.