Sunday, April 11, 2010

Back to work after a busy week







All has been going well with Hannah and I--there has been a lot going on and I don't know where to begin.
She is so sweet and her personality keeps showing more and more every day. We have so much fun together. She seems to be learning so quickly, still uses a lot of gestures to get her message across but her English is starting to grow. She is starting to show frustration when I just don't get what she wants to tell me. Her understanding of the English language has grown tremendously--in fact it seems she understands almost everything I tell her so that makes things easier for me.

Hannah started daycare/preschool a week and a half ago--she has been only going every other day for half days--mostly because I can't stand anymore seperation than that. She seems to be really enjoying it and her teacher says she is doing great. I spent two days there with her and was very satisfied with her teacher and how everything was run. I just wish I didn't have to leave her. It has been harder on me than on her. I start back to work tomorrow so she will be starting full time.

We spent Easter at my sisters and the weather was almost like summer. The kids were able to play outside all afternoon without coats. We had so much fun with two egg hunts. first the big kids (teenagers) hid eggs for the little kids (10 and under)and then the little kids got a chance to hide eggs for the big kids to find. They thought that was so cool. Hannah was the youngest one there but she got into doing everything the other kids did.

Thursday was her 4th birthday. I wanted to spend the entire day with just the two of us so we went to the Minnesota Zoo. It was a wonderful day. Hannah had so much fun seeing all the animals and I had so much fun spending the time with her and seeing things through her eyes. She was such fun company. I keep experiencing new feelings and this day was no exception. I felt more than the joy of being her mom--I just truly enjoyed her as such a fun person to be with. When we got home I had her presents all layed out and she had so much fun opening them and playing with them. She kept saying "Thank you Mom". I was overwhelmed with how perfect a day could be. We had the best little conversation:
Me: Oh Hannah
Hannah: Oh Mama
Me: I love you so much
Hannah: I love you so much
Me: Wasn't this a great day for your birthday?
Hannah just gave me the biggest smile and then the tightest hug. I could feel her happiness and that made me the happiest I have ever been. I hated to put her to bed that night because it meant the great day was ending.

Saturday some of my family came into town and we went to the hotel so Hannah could go swimming with her cousins. She had the best time. It was fun for me too but the constant vigilence of keeping track of her, making sure she is safe in the pool, and that she is behaving is quite tiring. I am used to being the aunt who just can have fun with the kids and it is a totally different role being the caretaker and enforcer.

Hannah's baptism was Sunday. She looked like an angel and she was so good in church. I could not have been more proud. It was quite an emotional moment for me. I am not sure that Hannah understood it but she definitely knew that it was something special.
Following the baptism we had a party at a local pizza place to celebrate that and her birthday. She certainly ran off a lot of energy with her cousins and loved every minute of it. She was so busy I think the only time she stopped to eat was when we had the cake. She was excited for presents and it was fun to watch her because she would look at each present and seemed like every one was just what she wanted. Although there were so many that she actually got tired of it and quit before getting done. Mom had to open the last present for her. I just can't believe all the support that I keep getting from all my friends and family.

Now I am a very exhausted mom after all that and I dread going back to work full time. I actually don't dread the fact of working and having Hannah in daycare but I know how stressful my job was and I know that it will only take a few days to be knee deep in the stress again. I pray that I can leave it at work and just be there for Hannah when I get home.

I know my posts will decrease now but I do hope to keep up with important updates. I have so far been able to say that I haven't experienced the exhaustion that everyone says starts as soon as you get your child but I feel it coming on. Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

13 comments:

Misty Clark said...

It's so wonderful to hear how well everything is going for you. What special events to celebrate. Happy 4th birthday Hannah! I'm glad to hear she's excelling in everything :)

Aaron and Julie said...

Happy Birthday to Hannah! Your description of the day actually brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad she is home with you to celebrate her birthday!! And baptism congratulations! Prayers for you tomorrow as you go to work - and as you come home leaving work behind. Hannah's smile when you pick her up will remind you it is ok to leave it all at work for another day :)

Lou Ann said...

Happy Birthday & Baptism & 1st Day at Pre-School Hannah!!! What busy girls you've both been. I know tomorrow will be a crazy emotional day for you Mary but like everything else that has happened since you became Hannah's mom, you'll figure it out. I'm still surprised at how much less interesting I find my job even though I still enjoy it. It simply isn't as important as the reason I'm working - for my daughter. So I'm curious to see how you feel in a few weeks. Everyone is certainly different but you might find work isn't as stressful simply because you have something more exciting to go home to. However you feel good luck tomorrow.

Take care,
Lou Ann & Lexie too

Three Northern Stars said...

Happy 4th Birthday Hannah. Looks like you hare having so much fun with mommy.

Kim said...

Mary, your posts always make me cry. :) Happy tears of course. I am just so happy for you and Hannah. Life sounds great!

Kimberly said...

Hi Mary - Happy Birthday sweet Hananh. Love all of the pix! I love that you are so happy and enjoying your time with her! I will be praying that you have peace as you return to work! I know taht can't be easy!
Blessings!

Robin said...

Hey Mary! I am slowly getting back into the blog world since coming home with Tyler. I received your package yesterday ... you are so sweet! He loved it!!

I know you are dreading going back to work ... I am not looking forward to it at all. I know that daycare will be very good for Tyler ... it is ME that will have a difficult time :)

We need to meet up at the park or something one afternoon. Please give me a shout with your schedule. Tyler LOVES older children.

Thanks again!
Robin

Emily said...

Happy Birthday Hannah! SO MUCH to celebrate!

JaneMM said...

Happy Birthday Hannah! Looks like everything is going great. You look wonderful together.

Take care and enjoy the Spring season.

Jane

Margaret and Tom said...

Wow! What a great day it sounds like you had...I had tears reading your and Hannah's conversation...sooooo sweet! Hugs!

Tammy said...

I am so, so happy for both of you. You both deserve every bit of happiness! Happy Birthday, Baptism Day and first day of school to Hannah! I know how you feel about putting her to bed - there are times I don't want to let go of those perfect moments either.

You will find you feel differently about your job. Maybe not at first but as time goes on and you get settled. Things that were important won't be as important as they used to be. You will find you are thinking about Hannah constantly and you are looking at everything through a new lens - the mommy lens. Suddenly everything takes on a new meaning. Work used to stress me out too and there are still days it does. But picking Zachary up energizes me in a way I have never been energized before.

You will feel tired, especially at first. I really missed all those naps I used to take while we were home together :-) But you guys will adjust. There is something to be said for having such a consistent routine as well. And you will treasure those weekends more than you ever have before.

Update us when you can! I love hearing about all the joy you have!

lisa said...

It sounds as if you are falling deeper in love with Hannah everyday.... As it should be and it is so great to hear! She does look like an angel and you look like the sweetest mom an angel ever had!

Happy birthday and babtism Hannah!!

Lisa

Robin said...

Happy Birthday Hannah!! Sounds like you had a great day planned for her!

Thanks for the info about her starting school. We are going to Primrose as well ... toddler class. We started going to school on Monday, same time each day ... during play time. I am super nervous about leaving him. The teachers suggested that I leave him for the hour and come back after play time to pick him up ... yikes! I know school will be great for him but really wish I could stay home more with him :(

I would love to hook up one afternoon for a little play date. Give me a shout when you get some free time.

Thanks!
Robin