The decision for a mom to stay at home or work part or full time is a tough one. We’ve decided there are pros and cons to both sides and whatever a family decides needs to be for the family and the individuals involved. There are lots of ways and reasons to do either. For us, we decided for mommy to return to work and put Corinne in a daycare with some of the sweetest church ladies ever.
So last Monday, after three months of maternity leave, I returned to work. Josh didn’t have classes yet and he did an awesome job of caring for Corinne all week. He was also an amazing husband coaching me through going back to work and leaving Corinne for such long stretches at a time for the first time. Luckily, my clinic schedule was light and I was able to leave early a few days. By Friday, I was so excited for the weekend, it was great. Her crying, fussing, pulling my hair didn’t matter to me too much; I was with my girl!
Then, the following week, it came time to take Corinne to “school.” (We like this term a little better than daycare.) It is easier to swallow for some reason. The ladies in Corinne’s classroom loved on her and hugged her tons. They walked me through the process and coached me, too. “Call as many times as you need,” they said. That weekend and that Monday were rough, but I surprised myself that once I was back at work, I dove in and got through it. I did cry on Monday and was nervous most of the day, but I did it.
Little did I know that it was a team effort. The night before, Josh had put a Van Morrison song on repeat in my car to help ease my nerves. I didn’t even realize it until that evening. I told Josh how much music had helped that morning. He just smiled and asked why. I told him how nice it was to have “that song” playing with the piano and guitar. He then told me that he had done it on purpose. I cried all over again about what a good man I am blessed to have.
The rest of the week flew by. I was able to go feed Corinne at lunch a few times which allowed me to observe things at the school as well. The work these ladies do is impressive. She is a delight to her teachers and especially to me. Again, by the end of the week, I was so ready to see Corinne and be with her all weekend (a three day weekend at that).
We spent Saturday and Sunday running errands, going to church, cleaning, and doing laundry. Since it was a 3-day weekend for me, on Monday, I took Corinne on a date. First, we went for a walk in the park at 8:30 in the morning. She didn’t quite think it the adventure I had made it out to be…she slept the entire time.
Then, we of course went to Starbucks for breakfast to top off our date. I pretty sure that she thought I was crazy. Admittedly, she can’t talk yet, so I went with it anyway. Once Josh got back, we finished the day together as a family. It was a great day (think Van Morrison’s song “There’ll Be Days Like This”).
Can’t wait for more fun dates with you in the future, sweet girl!
I am looking for corrnie’s photos that took on snowy day, which you showed me in class. But I can’t find them. You’re a happy daddy to have so cute baby. I wish I could be a mom to have sweet baby like corrnie. But it’s too late, I know. I am so happy whenever you show me your family’s pictures.