Going Home, Where the Heart Is

9.5.13 (8 weeks tomorrow)

I'm sure every mom does this at some point in her child's short time of sleeping in their crib or perhaps long after while they sleep in their beds... I find myself staring at my little baby as she sleeps. Now that we put her down in her crib to start the night off, I have the chance to see her more from a distance. I peak in at her as she lays, so small, so sweet, asleep in her crib. I know these days will pass us quickly and I treasure the moments I am able to watch her like this.

Sierra's day at work last Thursday was a success as it turned out, and the anxiety that I had initially felt about it was just wasted energy after all. Luckily, we were only there from 2:45pm-6pm so she didn't really have enough time to be a fussy face! She didn't cry on the way in, she slept in the office, and slept in the Moby wrap as I coached my team. The kids were thrilled to have her around too.

Friday was arguably one of the more busy days we have experienced in her short little life, thus far! I woke up, fed her, ran with her in the Bob, lifted in my garage as she swung in the swing, we went to the doctor's for my "6-week" post-partum visit, we stopped at my work to drop off some paper work, we went to a mother's group meeting, had lunch with Crystal, met Papa at the UC Davis pool (which went swimmingly), came home to meet Uncle Onkar, and then all 5 of us headed out for dinner at the Village in downtown. Phhhew! We made it through that whole day... she was such a trooper.

Saturday Gus and I woke up at 6am to go to Rockville Regional Park, where he mountain biked and I ran and hiked with Sierra in the Bob. Gus recently repaired and "upgraded" my Bob tires with puncture proof liners and gue to go into the tires. This is because we kept getting flats from our thorny "goat-heads" (some weird weed with super poky needles) that are all over the ground in this area. So after pulling 14 needles out the other day, Gus decided to make a change! So far so good. Shortly after we came home, all 5 of us went to the farmer's market and to the Berryessa Gap Brewing tasting room in Winters. It was fun, but since Sierra hadn't had an afternoon nap it wasn't our best experience. The rest of the day Sierra let us know she wasn't happy with the disruption to her schedule.

Sunday brought reprieve, since Sierra was able to get her naps and regular feedings in...she does not like the bottle nearly as much, so she seems a lot happier when I can breastfeed all day. Gus and I went on a cleaning spree all day after we said goodbye to Auntie Crystal and Uncle Onkar. We felt pretty satisfied after having the inside and the outside of the house looking good again, and our baby fairly happy with the day's events.

On Monday we went to the Crocker Art Museum, where our friend Stacy works. She wanted to see the baby, so we made it a point to stop by. There was a free family event there called "Buckaroo Days." Sierra was too young to take in that much of it, but I am sure she enjoyed the stimulus anyway (although this picture might say otherwise).

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Sierra was able to spend time with her new babysitter and her children. I keep thinking of all the positives of being back at work, instead of dwelling on how much I miss spending time with her everyday. It hasn't been easy, and figuring out a pumping schedule while working has been quite hard too! Gus has been spending more alone time with Sierra than he ever has before. It's been challenging for him, but I am so proud of him for being a patient papa.

Wednesday before I left for work we were able to get out to the mom's group which is so great for both of us. I feel like I hear a lot of great perspectives from the moms there and Sierra loves hearing the baby sounds (this week was mostly 6-9 week olds). It felt good having a full morning with her before I had to head out. Thursday morning we went to our free swim class! Sierra's a natural in the water of course! It was great to meet more babies, sing songs about water time and watch her splash around. She just seems easy going about all we do, except for getting in the car seat...scream fest!!! It is easier going to work each day if I feel like we have had a full morning of "meaningful" interactions before I leave.

Early tomorrow, Gus, Sierra, and I are driving up to Humboldt to go to our close friends' wedding. Julia will be such a beautiful bride! We are so excited to show Sierra an area we love so much. The ocean, the redwoods, and the cool air!!! It almost feels like going home when we go up to Humboldt.