10 Things on Tuesday: Fashion Inspiration

From casual chic to event ready here are 10 things currently inspiring my wardrobe. If you follow me on Pinterest (gracebefore) then you have probably seen a few of these things pinned on my style board.

1// I am dying over this outfit. The unexpected pairing of the grey slouchy sweater & cream tulle skirt totally work. It's perfect for a casual cocktail party, bridal/baby shower

2// I love everything about this! The loose bun, big sunglasses, plaid shirt with popped collar. This would be perfect with a pair of torn skinny jeans and a pair of simple sandals. 

3// OMG the subtle sexiness of this dress...the way the back is exposed without truly having a truly exposed back…LOVE! This would be great for a date night, Valentines Day dinner or cocktails with friends.

4// This oversized button up blouse totally works tucked in & is paired perfectly with worn skinny jeans. Perfect everyday outfit.

5// First off, her hair is to die for! I am not usually a fan of ombre highlights but hers are killing me. Love the thick bangs & beachy waves. She is totally rocking everything…the solid blouse with criss cross detailing. I would totally wear this to lunch with friends.

6// Black on black on black….yes! So sophisticated and elegant and paired perfectly with a statement necklace.  If I worked in an office setting this would be perfect. This totally works for a night out too.

7// I love this just as much as number 1. Mix prints of floral and stripes. Mixed metals with chunky gold watch & stone bracelet. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is the perfect casual but cute everyday outfit.

8// I love all things navy & burgundy. This is a super simple outfit that is perfectly causal chic. The lace blouse pops underneath the complimenting colors. Again a perfect everyday outfit.

9// Chunky scarf, leggings, slouchy boots & oversized sweater.  It doesn't get much more casual than this. It's trendy but still sophisticated. You can wear this for any casual day.

10// Love her beachy wavy & simple black tank. Um, can summer hurry up & get here! Perfect for the beach

sweet moments

Have you ever had a "mommy moment"? You stop, get lost in what your child is doing and your heart goes to complete mush. I have them often and they seem to come more frequently the more independent she gets. She will be 17 months on Thursday…my goodness.  I don't why this tugged at my heart strings but it did.  She sat like a big girl, in a big girl chair at the kitchen table playing on PBS kids…like a big girl. She giggled, sang along to songs, clicked buttons & clapped with pure delight in what she was doing.  All the while I stood off to the side in awe of how smart, beautiful & sweet she is and how fast she is growing up.

It was a sweet moment. 

Mom vs Mom

I was reading my newsfeed on Facebook this morning and a topic I have wanted to blog about for quite some time was starring me right in my face. Competitive Parenting.

My friend Emilee posted :

"Absolutely disgusted at the amount of judgement that occurs from Mothers to Mothers. Seriously people - raise a happy, healthy kid no matter how you see fit - breast milk or formula, attachment or baby wise, baby led weaning or purées, vaccinate or not. Just remember the first time you judge someone else, what are you really teaching your kids??? I promise your example on how you treat others will make a bigger impact on the type of character they grow up to have than when they started eating solid foods."

Comment after comment people shared their own experiences being judged by other mothers.

We've all experienced it (we might even do it ourselves); judgement on whether or not we formula feed or breastfeed, judgment on schedules/routines, when foods are introduced, how foods are introduced, disposable/cloth diapers, co-sleeping, organic/non-organic…the list is endless.

Why do we do that? Why do we criticize one another instead of supporting each other? Being a mom, a new one at that, is emotional, terrifying, confusing & overwhelming as it is. Oh & don't forget about the insecurity we experience, worrying if the job we are doing is good enough. We are on a quest to find balance in a world of constant change.  The bottom line is that through this endless change we learn to adapt to what works best for our individual families. We have our own methods to try an keep a symbiotic balance.  Just because something worked in your household doesn't mean it will work in mine. We are all doing the best we can. Parenting is hard and complicated. We shouldn't make it even harder by clouding it with guilt & judgement. While we are fortunate to have thousands of parenting philosophies at our finger tips (websites, blogs, books) we sometimes become so fixated on a particular method that we start looking down on people who do things differently.

I think sometimes we do it inadvertently. We analyze other mothers, comparing ourselves to them, and then we judge…ourselves. We question whether we live up to the "standards" & we get defensive. We justify our methods while attacking someone else's. I think the root is derived from competitiveness and jealousy.

The next time you find yourself judging another mother, look at the real emotion behind why you are judging them.

New Years Resolutions

I've never been a resolution maker. I'm that rebel that says "I don't make New Year's Resolutions…I try to live with intention & purpose".  Ironic right?! I am the girl that makes lists just to check things off & I don't make resolutions.  Oddly enough I find myself getting super excited as I accomplish feats/tasks throughout the year. So really…I am a closet resolution maker.  Zig Ziggler said "What you get by achieving your goals isn't as important as what you become by achieving your goals".

That is definitely my mindset for 2013.

2013 will be:

more organized 

more of what makes me happy

more things with love

more positivity

more change

more creativity

less comparison

less worry

less people pleasing

less fear

less procrastination

Mostly just want to make myself proud. Whether it's feeling proud of getting more organized, accomplishing a lifting goal, taking a chance for our family…I just want to be proud.

2012 was a year filled with lots of love and laughter.  New friends, new environments.  Lots of growth & change.  I tried new things & cut things/people out of my life.  I had lots of proud moments.  We traveled & set new priorities for our family.  Bye bye 2012 you were fantastic. Hello 2013!

{Day of Silence}

Remembering Sandy Hook Elementary

Friday I kept my TV off most of the day.  It was almost like turning it off would make it a horrible nightmare & not a reality.  My heart is completely broken for the innocence that was stolen. When I heard the headline "authorities respond to a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School", I instantly felt sick to my stomach. I grabbed Addison, snuggled with her & started praying for the families who lost children, the children & teachers that will have this forever imbedded in their memories & the community that was robbed of the joy of this holiday season. It's unfathomable. There are really no words; no comfort to offer. My friend Emilee posted this picture on her Facebook page that her friend Amanda Cutler took.  It's incredibly moving & speaks volumes of the tragedy.

Amanda Cutler of Pumpkin Pie Photography

We live in such an unstable world. There is so much hurt & pain. It goes deeper then we can ever imagine.  Please make it a point to continue to pray for the grieving families, the surviving school staff & students, the town of Newton, CT.  Pray for the people with mental illnesses, those with hurts so deep that they could actually do something so terrible.  Pray for our nation.  Make a point to smile at people, don't tear people down.  Reach out to those in need and PLEASE don't go about your daily life like NOTHING HAPPENED. Headline after headline last week was a shooting here, a shooting there, children missing…this should wreck your soul.

Week of Thanks: FREEDOM

free·dom
/ˈfrēdəm/
Noun
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

I am thankful for freedom & the sacrifices those who defend it make.

Week of Thanks: MY CAMERA

My camera. I thankful that this little piece of technology captures & freezes life's most precious moments.  Despite being an amateur I have some of my most favorite memories forever because of my Nikon.

Month of Thanks: SMILES

One of my favorite things about life is smiles. Smiles? Weird right?! Mother Theresa said it best "Every time you smile at someone, it's an action of love. A gift to that person, a beautiful thing". How true is that! Receiving a smile from somebody instantly warms my soul. It brings a sense of peace. Smiling can makes you approachable, is an expression of joy, compliments those around you...it's infectious. When somebody is proud of you or showing a sense of appreciation, they are usually smiling. When somebody finds something funny, they smile. It is such a simple yet powerful act.  

Week of Thanks: GRACE

A lot of my friends on Facebook have been participating in "The Month of Thanks", updating their statuses daily with what they are thankful for.  In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday this week I have decided to share my "Week of Thanks." Of course I am overwhelmed with gratitude daily for the abundance of blessings in my life, I am just making a deliberate attempt in acknowledging them.  With that, today I am thankful for: GRACE

Specifically God's grace.  I am unconditionally loved & time after time I get what I do not deserve.  John 1:16 "And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." 

Family & Wednesday Night Tradition

I'd like to think that I am a happy medium between a type A & B personality but I can be so type A. I am extremely competitive, I feel an extreme sense of accomplishment when I meet goals (I am one of those people that makes a list just so I can check things off). I am pretty aggressive, in that I am a "go getter"...get in there & get it done.  I also function extremely well with routine.  Since Philip's dad passed away part of our weekly routine has been having dinner with my mother in law every Wednesday night.  It's definitely something we all look forward to, especially because it's time Addison gets to spend with her grandma without any other distractions.  Do to life circumstances we haven't been able to get together the last few weeks.

We finally got back into our normal routine & spent the evening together. It was wonderful.  She is getting married December 15th & I am so thrilled that I have been able to be part of such an exciting time in her life.  She bought the most beautiful wedding dress & looks absolutely stunning in it.  I was literally awed be her.  Over dinner we talked about the venue, flowers, the DJ & all the fun details that come along with wedding planning.  I love seeing her so happy...she is literally glowing.  I am so thankful for Wednesday nights but was especially thankful last night as she is including me (just her daughter in law) in such a joyous time of her life.

 I hope as Addison grows up she understands the importance of FAMILY not routine/tradition or type A-ness. I hope I teach her that the reason we get together with Grandma on Wednesday nights isn't because Mum is neurotic & needs a routine but because it is important to spend time with those you love.  As a family unit we choose to love & support one another. I want her to know that our family is a solid rock, even during times of adversity & trial. I want her to experience that closeness & bond.

since I can't post a picture of my mother in law in her wedding dress...here is Addison in all her chic-glory starring at herself in the fireplace wearing my scarf.

world breastdfeeding week

National Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7th.  It's celebrated to facilitate awareness & support to breastfeeding.

{SOURCE}

I think this picture says it all.  People are often more shocked to find out that I am still breastfeeding my 11 month old then they would be to see a 1/2 naked women walking down the beach.

Women are uninformed, poorly educated & have so many misconceptions when it comes to breastfeeding.  Some people physically cannot do it but most think they can't & it's largely because of lack of support.

I am definitely "shy" when it comes to feeding Addison in public. In fact there has never been an "in public" for us. I have never felt comfortable doing it, even with my nursing cover.  I usually would go my car or find a place where I could be alone.  Part of it was being creeped out with people knowing that is what I was doing & the other part was the looks & stares that it brought. It's sad that we have set up a society that makes women feel embarrassed or ashamed for breastfeeding our children.

We certainly don't make it easy for breastfeeding moms, especially in the work place.  We have designated smoking areas but don't provide women a sanitary environment to pump while we are at work.  Not everyone has the luxury of an office with a door that locks so we often have to resort to pumping in a bathroom (if we are even allowed to pump). I am lucky to even get a 45 min meal break at work, let alone a 15 min break to pump. That alone is enough to make somebody not even give it a shot from the get go.

There are so many benefits of breastfeeding: nutritional benefits for baby,  cost, bonding between mom & baby, immunity support, it's natural, it's great for mom....I could go on & on.

In no way is this meant to knock those that formula fed. I am not passing judgement. Breastfeeding came easily for me but that isn't the case for anybody.  This whole last week is designed to educate.

If you’re a new mom or a mom to be educate yourself & find support. Seek out help, there are tons of local & national organizations for breastfeeding support. Don’t be afraid & don't. Know that a lot of doctors and hospitals push formula....in fact, everything pushes formula. Push through it & try to stay positive.

dream big

I, just like everybody else I am sure, am completely obsessing over the Olympics. I've always been a super fan but this year it's gone to a whole new level.  This time around I am completely awed & inspired by the extreme dedication & discipline it has taken every athlete in every event to get there. The extreme sacrifices they have made are unfathomable. 

It's awesome because somebody allowed them to dream big. Somebody introduced them to their sport, supported their goals/dreams & gave them the tools to get there.  Sure, there is undoubtedly God-given talent but without the mastery of that talent they wouldn't be where they are.    

10 years ago if somebody told me I'd be running a sub 6 min mile while pushing a baby in a jogging stroller I wouldn't have believed them.  10 years ago if somebody would have told me I'd be doing the things I am doing in Crossfit, I wouldn't have believed them.  Imagine if I had been as passionate about these things or introduced to them sooner?!

I want Addison to be a dreamer. I don't want her to not try something because she doesn't think she can do it.  I will teach her she can do anything. I will give her the tools to accomplish her dreams. I know God has big things for her, it's my job as her mum to help her get there.  No matter what her dreams are in order to accomplish them it will require dedication, discipline and support. I will help her get there. I want her to be a dreamer.

sleep Q&A

{SOURCE}

I have been getting asked a lot of questions about sleep lately. Mostly how we got Addison into a routine & tips suggestions for establishing a routine for their own babies.

Brooke asked: 

"Hi Holly! Any tips for getting baby into a sleep schedule?"

Anonymous said:

"People told me about the love you would feel but boy is it amazing! It's def tiring. The lack of sleep is tough but all worth it. He is sleeping 4 hour stretches At night. Any tips a on sleep? I know u guys were great about getting her to bed and sleeping through the night."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

I certainly do not proclaim to be a "sleep expert" but I was fortunate to have gotten Addison into a healthy routine from the beginning & because of that she has always been a fantastic sleeper. All I can do is share what worked for us.

{I will preface all this by reminding you that every baby is different & responds differently, so what worked for us may not work for you.}

bedtime + routine:

The first few evenings we were home from the hospital Addison had a complete meltdown around 6:45pm.  The more stimulation she had between 6:00-6:30 pm, the worse the meltdown was.  Prior to becoming fussy she would yawn non-stop, rub her eyes, pull at her ears & kick her little legs in utter frustration.  When I would head upstairs to nurse her & put her to bed I couldn't figure out why she was so restless.  She was giving me clear cues that she was tired & not only were we ignoring them, but we were stimulating her more.  By the time I'd put her in her crib she was overtired & have trouble falling asleep.  Thankfully after about 4 nights of this, I figured out SHE was telling me she was ready for bed. I read a few articles on sleep habits in infants & decided that if it meant we had to sacrifice by having dinner at 5:30pm & plan our evenings in the beginning around a "bedtime routine" than it was worth it to have a baby that was a good sleeper.

For us establishing a routine began with Addison. We let HER lead the way & we followed her cues.
Philip & I established a "no visitor rule" after 6:00pm once we realized that this was her "wind down time".  It upset some friends & family members but we needed to do what was best for Addison & for our family.  We used the time from 6:00pm-7:00pm to give her time to settle down & begin establishing a bedtime routine.  Reducing stimulation before bed was extremely helpful.

 Our routine has changed as she has gotten older but here is what it looked like the first 8 weeks or so. (We didn't follow these exact times but it usually fell into this pattern.)

• 6:00-6:30 pm: Start winding down. 
• Sometimes it included a stroll through the neighborhood, listening to soothing music, tummy time, snuggling on the couch, etc.  It always meant no visitors.
• 6:30-6:45pm: walk around the downstairs turning off the lights in each room, saying good night to Hampton & heading upstairs for a bath.
• 6:45-7:00pm: close curtains in room (establishes night time), turning on heart beat monitor (white noise), dimming lights in room, dressing Addison for bed & swaddling her, bedtime story & rock.
• 7:00pm: nurse 
• 7:15-7:30pm: put her in her crib whether she was asleep or not. Most of the time she was dead asleep but sometimes she would fuss. In that case I would pick her up & console her, reassuring her that everything was okay & put her back into her crib.

When she would wake up in the middle of the night to nurse we kept lights soft & dim with minimal stimulation, teaching her that it was time to sleep & not play. I would whisper, use calm movements & continue to promote a restful environment. For the first 4 weeks she woke up about every 3 hours to nurse. By 6 weeks was only getting up 2 times per night & was sleeping through the night around 4 months when she hit the 10 lb mark & her circadian rhythm was beginning to emerge.

• 7:00-7:30am: Wake up, open curtains, turn off sound machine & begin our day.

Now we don't need the wind down time so her bedtime routine doesn't start until 7:00-7:30; although, walks/cuddling on the couch, reading books are almost a precursor to bath & bedtime.  

Consistency is key in establishing a routine. You have to do it & make modifications until it works, over & over & over again.

I have heard a lot of criticism for having an early bedtime for Addison & for establishing a routine.  People told me it was "unrealistic", that "she came into my life, I didn't come into hers", "she needs to learn to be adaptable", etc.  The bottom line is, I followed Addison's cues & in doing so, I have a wonderful nighttime sleeper & daytime napper.  I am not a believer of the "they came into my life philosophy" when it comes to sleep because infants require 18+ hours of sleep/day.  I think it's extremely selfish as a parent to constantly deprive your child of something they NEED (not want) for your own pleasure.  Life changes when you have a child & unfortunately some things cannot be business as usual.  Starting her bedtime routine early in the beginning required a little sacrifice in but is great now. Philip & I are appreciative of our alone/adult time after 7:30 pm.  She is adaptable & a trooper when we keep her out past her bedtime.  She usually falls asleep no matter where we are rather than having meltdown.

(She only slept in a bassinet in our room for the first 2 weeks then we moved her into her nursery)

naptime:

I learned early on that she couldn't make it more than 2 hours being awake without being fussy so I put her down for a nap about every 2 hours (before she showed signs of being tired), unless she fell asleep sooner.
Her curtains are open during the day during naps (to help establish daytime). I turn her heartbeat monitor on just as I do at night.  I also swaddled her for naps. She was swaddled until she was 6 months old & she was in a sleep sack until about 1 month ago when she could no longer be swaddled anymore. Swadding was huge for Addison.
In the beginning she took lots of naps which decreased to 3 naps/day & now she takes a morning nap & afternoon nap.  I put her to bed awake at 9:00 (unless she sleeps past 7:45 am) & she goes right to sleep. In the afternoon she goes down around 2:00pm. 


During the day I make sure that I provide lots of stimulation: singing, playing, talking. Now that she is older cruising, crawling, I make sure she gets all of her energy out that way she is ready for naps & bedtime.

For me the keys to helping Addison become a good sleeper were:

• establishing a bedtime routine from the very beginning (it will be much more challenging at 8 months old)
• being consistent
• reducing stimulation before bed
• keeping nighttime feeding stimulation to a minimum
• swaddling
• white noise
• daytime stimulation 
• learning the signs of when she was tired
• sleeping in her crib in her own room

Like I said, I am not a sleep expert, I am just sharing what worked for us. The bottom line is you have to do what works best for your life situation & family.  In order for your baby to be adaptable, YOU have to be willing to be adaptable. Sometimes something as simple as turning off the TV before you put the baby down or saying no to friends to a 6:30pm dinner is all it takes to get your baby down at a reasonable hour.  Doing it consistently for a short period time is all that it takes to establish a routine.

Growing Up With Gadgets

My mum constantly says "we didn't have anything like that when you were little" & I am sure my grandmother said the same thing while I was growing up. I grew up in a home where imaginative play & outdoor fun was fostered. I wasn't plopped in front of a TV or given handheld video games to entertain myself. I swam like a fish in the summer, played softball in different leagues & was mad when I would get called inside at night. I spent hours coloring & writing stories, played Barbies & dress up with my mom's vintage clothes (from the 70's-80's) my Gram kept stored in her attic & I had SO MUCH fun doing it. Don't get me wrong, I am sure, in fact I am positive, there were a few "but why's", "can't I just watch tv" or begging to play Sega (haha, shows how old I am getting) but I loved using my imagination & I loved being outside. I don't see that so much these days. Philip & I most definitely want to raise Addison where TV is a luxury & not a necessity. Where she would rather color or kick a soccer ball around in the backyard then play with a Nintendo DS. Enter the challenge in doing so: the world of gadgets. With iPhones (Philip & I both have one), iPad (we have), laptops (we have 2), Nintendo DS, XBOX, DVD players for the house & car (we have both), leap pads, etc. I think the challenge is not, NOT having these things but not using them as pacifiers or tools to get your children "out of your hair". Addison has known how to operate certain applications on my iPhone since she was 6 months old & is pretty savvy playing her games on the iPad as well. She is pretty fascinated with them & it's mind blowing that she even knows how to use them. While it's cute now, I don't want those things to become her source of entertainment. It really bothers me to see families out to eat & kids glued to their DS's, parents driving for hours to the sound of Disney movies because their kids won't ride in the car without watching a movie, parents telling their kids to go play the XBOX so they can watch TV rather than playing with their kids outside. As I watched Addison scrolling through pictures on my phone I kept battling this. I want her to be familiar with technology & enjoy it but I don't want her to be obsessed with it & need it in order to have fun. It really got me thinking. I guess with all things it's about balance & moderation. There isn't anything wrong with it in moderation but if we are allowing our kids to get their source of entertainment solely from the TV, movies, social media & gadgets, what kind of generation are we raising?

 

HAPPY NURSES WEEK

{in the ER it's pee but it still fits}

One of the best ways to celebrate nurses week is to recognize a nurse you know.  While it's an incredibly rewarding profession it's physically demanding & emotionally taxing & sadly we don't here "thank you" enough.  Make sure to let a nurse you know how much you appreciate them & the impact they are making by serving in the community.

MOMMY STEPS

Early this morning after I finished my shift at the hospital (when I should have been sleeping), I was lying awake thinking of all the "first" moments I've had over the last 5 months & how many more I have to come. I was thinking about how everyday we achieve a milestone whether it's little or big. Last night was a BIG one & tonight is an even bigger...for me. Since I am only working casually in the ER, I am lucky enough that I don't have to leave Addison very often & when I do it's with Philip.  Sure, I have left her for an hour here & there with my parents & Philip's mom but I have never "left" her with somebody else & nobody other than Philip & I have put her to bed. Last night my Mum stayed at our house with her until I came home from work because Philip was away. It was a HUGE step for me.  I totally trust my Mum & know she is 100% capable of taking excellent care of Addison (after all, she did raise me), it's just something I haven't had to do in 5 months & have had a lot of anxiety about.  She did fantastic & although I left with much trepidation her sweet little giggles in the background made it much easier to slip out the door. I called when I got to the hospital & she was still laughing in the background which made it easy to get through my shift.  Mum texted me after she was asleep & she was snug as a bug when I got home early this morning. She was definitely happy to see me when she woke up at 7am & I was excited to see her.  It makes my sleep deprived Monday's so worth while!

{She looks slightly terrified}

{the "okay mom, get your dumb picture" look}

{Some of the faces she was shooting herself on the Macbook}

Tonight I am leaving her in the nursery at the gym while I take a cycling class....HUGE! My friends without children are probably reading this thinking I am a crazed lunatic.  I never thought I would have separation anxiety but sometimes I think I may have it worse than Addison.  They are mommy steps & I am taking them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

On the morning of my 28th birthday & the last day of 2011,  I have so much to reflect on!?!

What a magical, beautiful, crazy, exciting year 2011 was! It was a year filled with so much love, laughter, tears, smiles, ups & downs (mostly ups), what a year. 2011 was the most life changing year I've ever had...it's purpose was to prepare me for the most amazing days ahead & I am so thankful for that. 9 months of the year was spent growing a tiny person, the most precious gift I have ever received. During that 9 months I learned SO MUCH about life & love. 2011 was the year I discovered the most magical kind of love I've ever experienced. It was most definitely a year of transition & reinvention.
As I look back on the last 365 days I realize that the most amazing of those days are nothing compared to what's to come...I've never been more ready for anything in my life.  I am so excited for 2012.

WIDE EYED WONDERMENT

As an adult it's easy to lose track of how amazing this world is. Addison is reminding me of that. I love how she stares in bewilderment & curiosity...everything is new & good. I love how she gazes in wide eyed wonderment as she feels new fabrics & hears new sounds. She is so trusting & relaxed.  I love catching her in a moment of discovery.

FIRST DAY BACK TO WORK

Like clockwork she greeted me with her sweet gummy smile at 7am, cooed & ah'd. I sipped on my coffee & starred at her with glossy eyes because I knew this seemingly normal morning was going to be short lived & our daily routine was going to look much different today.  I had never left her for more than 3 hours let alone 8...ugh! With every little smile & squeal I kept reminding myself that THIS is what I get to come home to. It was definitely reassuring knowing that she would be with Philip all day...he is SO GREAT with her.

I got in as many snuggles & kisses...basked in her sweet "Addison scent" as possible & left feeling comfortable because she was one happy girl this morning.  I cried the entire way into work & could barely compose myself to walk in through the ER doors.  As soon as I met eyes with my first co-workers, I took a deep breath, pushed back the tears & knew it was going to be okay.  Before I even made it to the break room Philip was texting me pictures & video of her playing contently.  During one of my pumping sessions we even got to face time. I worked with a great crew today & the department flow was more than manageable. My patients reminded me why I decided to do this every now and then. The best part was clocking out, it felt like Christmas morning.  The anticipation on the drive home was unbearable, I couldn't get home & showered fast enough to snuggle. My sweet sweet baby girl greeted me with a big smile & her laugh/squeal thing she does. She smelled AH-MAZING & I snuggled her until she fell asleep...it was perfect.  I had the perfect first day back to work!