On the move

I've been getting super sentimental lately. I will catch myself in these moments of laughter at something Rory is doing and then the notion of returning to work hits me like a ton of bricks. In a few months I won't get to crawl around on my belly with my little boy as he explores our living room. It makes me sad to think about it. Sad and nervous.

I honestly didn't expect to love my maternity leave this much. In fact, in those early days I didn't think I would last the first 6 months.  It hasn't been easy. There have been hard and super lonely days, and it was a lot of work creating the wonderful network of mommy friends that I have today. And probably the biggest hurdle of all, was letting go of my own expectations of the career girl that I have always pictured myself being. It's almost like I had to give myself permission to embrace my year with Rory. And to just be a mom.

Regardless of how I got here, I love every single day that I am home with this kid. I really do love being a mom.  Yesterday, as we sat just laughing at each other on the floor, I did something that I think us as new moms don't do enough of. Silently in my head, I commended myself for the job we have done with Rory so far.  If the purpose of a year of maternity leave is to nurture your child into a young person that is ready for the outside world without you, I am pretty happy where we are netting out these days. I think Rory is going to be just fine in a few months time when I go back to work. Better than fine.

Which means I will be too.

Until then, we get to spend rainy days like today doing ridiculous things like playing in the mirror together. This is where being a mom is pretty freaking awesome.

And the next thing to conquer....

Does July feel far away?

Some days yes... especially with Christmas and with all this snow everyone is getting.  But then I think about the  5 1/2 months that have already passed by on my mat leave, and I know in a blink of an eye the warmer weather will approach and this Mamma will be heading back to work. Tear. :(   

In April of last year (when I was 7 months pregnant), I wrote about going back to work. At the time, Peter and I were looking at day cares in Toronto. Sadly,  we learned that you actually need to be on wait lists here VERY early if you want to get into good care facilities, or actually to get into one at all. I remember being totally overwhelmed by the idea of going back to work before I even had a baby, and also at what we should be looking and asking about when touring care facilities.  I believe I put us on 9 waiting lists. Isn't that ridiculous?  Some of which I was told we were early with our name, others I was told we were late... "what were you doing when you were 4 months pregnant - come on?". I kid you not.

Through my mommy network I am happy to report that we officially have care set up for next summer! YAY! Huge sigh of relief. It's a fantastic spot, in our neighborhood and the best part is that because it isn't city run, there is a SIGNIFICANT savings a month for us. Peter and I have both toured the daycare (which is actually in a older house), and met the care staff most who are early child year specialists or nurses. The best part is that we know some of the other parents/and Rory will know some of the other kids when we start transitioning him in late June. Having this set up and behind us is the best Christmas present. I can just settle in for the winter and really enjoy these last 6 1/2 months with a little guy that gets more fun by the day.  There seriously is a business opportunity here though, finding childcare just should not be this stressful. Regardless of what city you live in.

So now that child care registration is behind us, onto more xmas decorating!  

Rory's first Christmas has us all feeling extra festive this year! 

 

Rory loves Christmas. And drooling.