Last Week as a Full-time Mommy

So the time has come-I have to go back to work. Next Thursday is my first day back to work after a 16 week maternity leave. I am definitely trying to savor each moment that I have with Xander, especially in the mornings when he is in a great mood and we are just hanging out in bed together. Lyrik and I will go through yet another adjustment period with our little man-except this time it will involve juggling all of the things we were doing plus working full-time. I have to say-I think I will get the brunt of the juggling just because I am in charge of getting Xander to daycare, etc. But, the bright side is that I will get to be with Xander twice a day on my nursing breaks from work, and I will overall get to see him more than Lyrik. Lyrik is still going to do the four day work week though-so he will get all day Fridays with Xander. That- I am jealous about! Everything will be fine though- I am only mildly freaking out about the return to work. I really thought this day wouldn't come so soon- a lament of many a new mother-I am sure.

In the meantime-we are watching all of the new developments in Xander. Drooling has become his number one hobby, with babbling at a close second. His sleep has been great-and he is now on a four hour routine, meaning that he eats four every four hours, so that's been nice for me. He has become infatuated with his feet-he just discovered them, and his hands are constantly in his mouth being sucked away on. Oh, and Xander seems very interested in watching Mommy eat lately. I guess it's only a couple more months until he gets real food-that's hard to believe! What really made me realize he is growing up, was the other day when my Mom took him for a walk in the umbrella stroller! He can totally hold his head up now-so it was no problem for him.
Today we are heading to the u-pick strawberry patch to get some berries for the freezer-I am happy to have found a place that doesn't use sprays. Yay!

Camping with the Xander Man

This last weekend we went on our first camping trip with Xander. We headed over to Tillamook State Forest and settled in around Elk Creek and the Wilson River. It was great to get away from the scorching heat in town and relax in the shade next to the cool creek. Lyrik tried casting a few flies, but a wound up dog, off leash, does not make for ideal fishing, and Lilly was definitely excited to be in the water. Xander just took it all in and loved looking up at the tree canopy above our camp. We opened up the top of the tent so that he could see out the netting while he was settling in for his naps.

He did great staying on his routine while we camped. His naps went pretty well, although I was worried it was too hot in the tent in the middle of the day, but he didn't seem to mind. Getting to sleep for the night was a bit more difficult because I think he is used to having darkness in his room at night and it was light until 9pm or so. We tried to make the tent as dark as possible at 7pm bedtime, but it seemed not to matter, he stayed awake until 9:30. But it worked out because he only woke once in the middle of the night to nurse and then slept all the way through to the morning. My biggest fear about camping was that he would wake often during the night but he didn't, even though Lilly had about six rounds of barking through the night.

We went on a great hike along the creek and had lunch by a nice little pool where Daddy went for a dip in the freezing water! Xander dipped his little toesies in the water and let out a cut little shudder, as you can see in the video here. All in all, it was a great trip and it gave me some hope that camping with a baby is possible. Next time, we want to try backpacking, although, I have a feeling it is going to be difficult to pack light with a baby in tow.

In the backpack with Daddy. I guess he likes hiking!


Daddy and Xander playing at our campsite.


Hanging out in our prime spot down by the Wilson river.