Answer: 16 Days

[aliki]

That's the number of days left before I go back to work, something I haven't done since March 19, 2010. I feel rusty and awkward. It feels like a lifetime ago. I feel like a different person. Work suddenly doesn't seem that important to me anymore.

I know I will cry on September 1st. Erika turned four months old on August 10th, and the longest I've been apart from her is five hours, when I went to Linda's baby shower and she stayed home with Daddy. I thought of her with every breath I took. My chest ached to feel her against my body. I missed her silly lopsided smile, or the way her eyes crinkle into crescent moons when she laughs, or the way she snorts as she laughs when I pretend to eat her belly.


Erika on Aug 12, 2010.
(17 weeks old)

Two weekends ago, Erika was baptized on August 8th. Shockingly I didn't take a single photo that day-- I was too busy tending to Erika! I'm waiting for friends/family to send them to me. She was so beautiful and so well behaved.

Sometimes I forget how much she's grown till I see photos like this. She's the size of a toddler! (And actually, several strangers have rudely commented "your toddler doesn't walk yet?" Ummm, no, she's 4 months old.) But she's got wonderful head control and is a great supported sitter.

Comments

[aliki.livejournal.com]

I love her chubby cheeks and turkey thighs :)

My coworker (mother of 3) already gave me good advice to show up 30 min early to work on the first day, as I'd spend it crying in the parking lot or bathroom.

[steforama.livejournal.com]

I did a "trial run" day with Cecilia, where I dropped her off for a day on the Friday before I started work, just to see how things went and I would be available if necessary. I did some errands and chores that day and also sobbed and looked at pictures of her :)

It was definitely more of a trial run for me than her!

[aliki.livejournal.com]

Since Bri is taking paternity leave for six weeks when I return on Sept 1, it'll be a little easier since I'm just visualizing I've gone to the grocery store while Daddy is home with her... and that grocery trip went on for seven hours... I hope.

Not sure which will make me more teary. Her at home with Daddy but I dont get to see her at all during the workday; or her at daycare but I get to see her during lunch.. Hmm.