So my lovely, this is the last update I’ll write for you before you become a Big Sister. It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached that point. It also astounds me how much you’ve changed since I first found out that this was going to happen. You’ve gone from being a toddler to a big girl and I couldn’t be more proud of you now and how independent you are. The threenager stage is still kicking in hard, but I feel like I’m finally learning how to manage it and you are learning your boundaries. At times it’s been tough when I’ve been tired but I’m pretty sure we’ve had fewer fall outs these months. But above all you’ve been really sharing your caring side as I have been more tired and Daddy has been suffering from a horrible cold. Nothing makes us feel better more than a lovely Little H snuggle! I can’t to see how much you’ll look after your new brother or sister. You’re going to be awesome!
Little H,
So we finally reached your third Christmas but the first one you have been really aware of. You have been so excited for weeks, I was relieved when December arrived because it meant I could get your advent calendar out. It didn’t prevent your impatience but it did help manage it a little! But you made Christmas so much fun this year. For the first time years I was genuinely excited about Christmas Day and I will always remember your little face when you came down to see your presents from Father Christmas!
As 2011 reached it’s end, I decided to write an end of year post which reflected back on the highs and lows of the last 12 months. Since then, it has become a personal tradition to write and publish my “That was the year that was” post on 31 December every year. More than anything, this post is a personal opportunity to look back as a year a draws to a close. 2017 has been an eventful year with a focus on just embracing ‘normal’ life and getting out and about on trips. Little H never ceases to amaze me with how she develops – whilst technically still a ‘toddler’ to me she is now a little girl. We really found a this our stride this year which will hopefully give us a strong base as we embrace more change as a family next year. But before I get ahead of myself, it’s time to sum-up 2017:
My dearest Little H,
It’s been so long since I wrote and update on you, how you’ve grown and changed, how you’ve made us laugh and (on a few occasions with some of your newer tantrum states) cry! So much has happened in the last 4 months that I am going to fail to capture so many of your gems. The reason for my apparent ‘lazy’ behaviour? Well it was 3 months ago we were finally able to tell you that, all staying well, you’ll become a big sister early next year. Growing your sibling as well as working and looking after you has properly wiped out your mummy. However, I have been adamant the whole time that I won’t let these ‘diaries’ stop. So, here is my attempt to catch-up and hopefully get back into my routine again! I’m so looking forward to Christmas this year because you are so excited. I’m looking forward to sharing next month’s update too.
As 2011 reached it’s end, I decided to write an end of year post which reflected back on the highs and lows of the last 12 months. Since then, it has become a personal tradition to write and publish my “That was the year that was” post on 31 December every year. More than anything, this post is a personal opportunity to look back as a year a draws to a close. 2016 has been another life changing year with my Maternity Leave reaching it’s an end, seeing me become a working mum. Little H has changed beyond belief in the last 12 months and is rapidly approaching the big 2. It’s been a whirlwind of a year but a fantastic one.
Thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to read and comment on my blog. I have loved hearing your thoughts and feedback on what I’ve written. I am extremely grateful that you all spare your valuable time to stop by. I have also enjoyed reading all of the wonderful posts you have written this year! I can’t wait for some more fantastic reads throughout 2017. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
But 2016 isn’t over until it’s over. So let’s dive right in…
It’s been over 10 months now since I went back to work after my maternity leave ended. 10 months! Longer than I was pregnant with Little H. Only 3 months short of how long I was off work. By the time Christmas Day arrives, it will have been over two years since I bid everyone farewell and hobbled off to prepare myself for becoming a mum. In January my baby will turn 2! I’ll be honest, I’m in a state of disbelief about the whole thing. I’m in denial that this amount of time has passed already. It feels to be racing by.
When we’re watching ‘Frozen’ for the hundredth time, I’ll still clap and sing along…because I’m her Mummy.
I’ve started writing this post numerous times, trying to come-up with some vaguely witty introduction. But this morning I decided to just get to the point. Being back at work is actually quite good fun. But working part time and juggling child care is hard – harder than I thought it would be. I’ve been back for 3 weeks now (which now I am part time is a grand total of 9 days!) and it’s been a mix of highs and lows through that relatively short space of time.
I am suffering from a quite severe and long-running affliction. “What is it?” I hear you wonder. Well I shall tell you…it’s guilt. Yes, guilt. And it’s just a little feeling of unease or regret that I suffer from; It’s the kind of guilt which eats away at me and makes me question my decisions throughout every day.
I’ve done the nerve-wracking, stomach-churning reasons why I am not looking forward to going back. Now it’s time to call out the good things, the things that will encourage me to skip out the front door in the morning. Because let’s face it, full time child care involves dealing with one of the less flexible demographics in society (Try asking an 11 month old to wait 2 minutes for the bowl of fruit they’ve just seen you get out the fridge…).
Here are my 5 reasons why going back to work is awesome: