and that ain't no April Fool's joke.....
It's actually my third day back and it's not that bad. Darin has now become Mr Mum (or Mom as you Americans like to say) and we are all doing ok. I only cried once when leaving the house and have only choked up a few times after seeing other mums around town with their babies, Maclarens and o-balls. In preparation for his stay at home dad role, Darin wanted to rent the movie Mr Mom. I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be of much practical help, but hey it'd probably be funny.
This is the face I had to leave at home Tuesday morning......it was hard.
Work seems unnaturally normal to me...um, except that my brain is in a constant fog from the lack of sleep. It's weird. I also just took a work phone call and they wanted to have a meeting now but I gotta run and pump. I was also simultaneously trying to purchase six bags of disposable nappies at the same time too. I told them I was free in half an hour. Weird. It's like I'm leading a secret life.
Luckily my work is pretty flexible and they have allowed me to work four days a week for the first few months and my hours have been reduced to 10 to 4:30 and with an hour lunch and two 20 to 30 minute pumping sessions, I really only work four and a half hours a day - the days are flying by so far. Darin also brings Jake to work during lunch once a week so I get a quickie cuddle. That baby smell is quite addictive.
I wasn't sure how my work would deal with the fact that I needed to pump at work. I had recently received a memo before coming back to work that encouraged mothers coming back to work to continue breastfeeding....BUT only during the night and they encourage using formula during the day. Anyway, considering that in a building of 3000 or more people I am the ONLY one pumping, they have generously offered the use of an unused meeting room for me to pump. It has two sofas (not that comfy), a great view (although I close the blinds), a cupboard to store my pump and running water to wash the parts afterwards, oh and of course let's not forget a very handy lock on the door to prevent any shocking incidents! Yay!
Hopefully I'll be able to blog a little more often (thanks work!) now. Ok gotta get back to work. I have Jake's five month update coming soon but it'll probably be next week before I get around to it!
wow, already back at work! time is flying! i remember those days of pumping. it was tough. i always kept a picture of camille near me while i did it :) inspiration of sorts.
miss ya!
Posted by: gleek | April 03, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Congrats (?) on getting back to work!
Posted by: Fuji Mama | April 03, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Golly, he's cute. Glad to hear that your work is being flexible. Sounds like you're making the transition well.
Posted by: Lisa | April 03, 2008 at 11:30 PM
It's not easy to go back to work, but it gets better. I actually have come to appreciate my adult time. I think it makes me a better Mom when I'm with my daughter.
Cute kid. Nice work.
Posted by: Joline | April 04, 2008 at 12:10 AM
You are very very lucky to have Darin as your primary child care person! They'll have a special relationship because of it I'm sure.
And good for you for continuing to nurse!
Having a kid really does give life a whole different dimension.
Posted by: Heidi | April 04, 2008 at 01:20 AM
You are a superstar! Your work sounds very accommodating, which is nice (and unusual in Japan, I'm guessing). Good luck, Kat!
Posted by: Mariko | April 04, 2008 at 01:56 AM
What a cute face! It makes me want to pinch the computer screen.
Posted by: Veronique | April 04, 2008 at 01:58 AM
Omg, he's a cute kid. We gotta hook him up with Lily in the future!
I'm so sorry you have to spend all that time away from him, though. At least he's with his Daddy instead of in daycare, ne?
Posted by: Jenn | April 04, 2008 at 02:08 AM
i'm not a huge fan of leaving the house, especially for work, and all i have to leave behind is my bed.
it must be nice to know that he is at home with a such a great dad though...
Posted by: claire | April 04, 2008 at 07:36 AM
OMG he just gets cuter and cuter! 4.5 hours a day? Considering the circumstances, I don't think it could get much better than that, could it? Good luck with everything and hope that things settle into a comfy routine.
Posted by: Bree | April 04, 2008 at 10:59 AM
You should feel guilty abandoning your baby like that. Poor Jake! I feel like I should call Social Services or the Baby Crimes Authority or your mother.
Love Mok
Posted by: Mock | April 04, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Jake is soo sweet, I'd be crying in to some poor salary man's coat on the train if I had to leave that babyface!
Posted by: pinn | April 04, 2008 at 11:23 PM
AND you get to blog at work! Life is rough. Looking forward to more posts...
Posted by: kirsten | April 04, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Oh it has just begun Darling...this is exactly our story: Mr. "Mom", you back to work pumping in the closet and exhausted... It's so funny to read you thoughts.
Hey, Flynn had on his Bonds suit today...thought about you all!
Posted by: Erin Merryweather | April 05, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Sounds like things are going well. Thanks for the note. Your office has really been great about easing you through such a huge transition. Hope to see you soon.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 06, 2008 at 02:49 PM
What a face! It must be hard, but at least Jake is in very capable and loving hands!
Posted by: yaiAnn | April 07, 2008 at 11:59 PM