Working in Another State

At work in NYC I have this picture directly under my computer monitor, and will often stop, sigh, maybe grin.  It's been hard to be away, but I also have to admit that it's been a bit of a vacation.  Generally, my head is in such a better place, that life is good.  I really enjoy the challenge of my new job.  It is the first time in years I've felt intelligent, and capable, and useful.  It's amazing what being busy and having a lot of challenging dilemmas presented to you can do for your self-perception. I had felt much too stagnant for much too long.

Beyond just finally liking the work, I love my new co-workers.  I have already made some very good friends, and generally like most everyone.  Even if part of my job is to be a PITA, and people don't always take that well. ;). Also, being away from my family, it gives me more time to socialize with all of them.  We go out to dinner together most nights, and often hit the gym together (ok, not that often) or end up in each others' rooms until all hours of the night.  My schedule is so screwy.  But I'm still getting more sleep than I ever could have dreamed of since having children.  Six or seven hours most nights.  I know!  Not only that, I don't have to cook clean, or even do laundry.  It's quite blissful.

I don't know how it will work once I get home.  I am replacing multiple people because they still need to hire more, so I have a lot on my plate.  That's not so hard when alone in a hotel, but we shall see in the future.  I'm also worried about the longer commute.  But it'll be ok.

Robby's doing well with it.  Apparently he usually cries for around 15 minutes when I leave, and will ask about me every hour or so, but he likes getting to see the trains.  He at least was still my cuddly little man when I got home last weekend.  Though he did try and misbehave a lot more than usual for me.

Generally, I couldn't ask for more.  I like my job.  I finally feel more like the social person I used to know.  My husband is doing a wonderful job holding down the fort.  I can't really edit this on the train, so you get to see TONS of typos and a picture turned the wrong way,but I've got to put it up, or it will never happen.  I'm almost home!!!!  YAY!

This Working Mom's Day

Ok, so I'm on vacation, and not actually at work.  And I don't have any pictures, but ask and ye shall receive.  Kat of Living Like the Kings did a post on what her day looks like, and here's mine.

5:30 am   Robby wakes up and wants to nurse.  If I'm lucky, he'll go back to sleep, if not, we're up for the day.  If he goes back down, I go upstairs again and pretend to sleep for 20 minutes, which never actually happens.

5:50 am   If I fell asleep (or not) Chris has a stupid snooze alarm that goes off.  Not that he gets up.  On good days, I run down, hop in the shower, day starts.  Bad days, Robby hears the alarm and wakes up, and I may not get a shower (though I MIGHT get one after Chris is ready if things go well). 

6:00 am  I go down to the kitchen, start to pour my cereal, usually right about now Robby wakes up.  So, I go up and grab him, Chris has finally heard his alarm going off, and is in the shower.  I nurse Robby, change him into clothes, and come downstairs again.

6:20 am  BREAKFAST.  I plop Robby into his highchair with a banana or nectarine or some other fruit.  He'll have cereal at daycare later.  I plop on the couch with my bowl of cereal, and we watch the news.  Or maybe some Sesame Street if he's being fussy.  After, I run around trying to get clothes on and get out the door.

6:50 am   I leave for work.  Chris takes Robby to daycare around 7:15.  I get to work at 7:00.

7-3:30pm  Work.  I come home for lunch sometime between 12 and 1 for 1/2 an hour.  I don't really see people.  Lots of computer stuff.

4 pm   Pick up Robby from daycare.

4-6:00 pm  I play with Robby, try and do some cleaning, and get dinner ready.  A lot of days we'll go to the pool.  Occasionally a walk or the library.

6:00 pm   Chris gets home and we have dinner.

6:30-7:15 pm Dog walk.  This is a highlight of both Robby & Harper's day.

7:15-7:45 pm Bath, playing in Robby's room, nursing, going to bed.  He goes to sleep somewhere between 7:45 and 8:15.

8:15 pm We start madly doing projects or cleaning.  Recently, we've been renovating the kitchen, so the house isn't as clean as we'd like.  We still sweep, vacuum, and do dishes daily, but the rest is a little chaotic.  The last piece (counter tops) are being installed Monday, so hopefully it'll get back to normal.  This past week, I've been sick and passing out on the couch by 9:30 and not doing much unless Chris specifically requests that I do.  Usually, he goes to bed around 10, and I'm a ridiculous night owl and will be mucking around doing nothing useful until 11ish.

There's my working mom craziness!