4.5 months - Life as a "working" mom

Hi everyone

It's been rather a while since I last blogged. But it's been very busy: more proofing work coming in, some contracting to Old Mutual, lots of Jessica-ing, a weekend away with home cell at Eikenhof Dam near Grabouw, Adam has written his Microsoft exam after a month with his head in his laptop, we had the Korbitec Christmas party at which Adam played. Lots of firsts too in all that: first exam for ages, first time playing and singing in public, first contracting work for me, first Christmas shopping, some first time visitors... and let me not forget a second. A cousin for Jessica was born this week. Little Anastasia joined the family on Sunday: my brother's new little girl. I'm hoping that the cousins become good friends as they are only 4 months apart in age. It's been a good three weeks.

I guess it's easiest to say it in pics, so here are a few glimpses into our busy November.

...Er - pics coming later today. Jessica commenting loudly on being left in her cot with tons of toys after waking ME up at 5am for a feed. Argh, after a late night out last night too! I was really hoping that she would sleep in a bit. Not! Best rescue her before she wakes Adam... I'm having mercy and leaving him to sleep in after his hectic week of exams and practicing for the concert. Actually, if I put her on the bed he would just hug her and go back to sleep anyway with her in his arms. My hubby has a great capacity to sleep through most noises! I think it's a gift personally :)


.... And here you go - Adam in red, in his first ever public performance. A solo of "Romeo & Juliet" by Dire Straits to start it all out...

And of course, the fans! It was a really great afternoon out at Groot Constantia with all our friends from work, and their families. Carla outdid herself in organising the event.

Last day at school?!

Well, it's been quite a week. After settling Jessica into creche a week ago, I have subsequently been retrenched as the company don't have a position open for me after some restructuring while I was on maternity leave. They've been very kind about it though, and gave me a good package which helps a lot, but it was still rather a roller-coastered week. I have to say that going back to work is, in a way, much easier than staying home. As a friend said the other day: "Suddenly I realised that this was the first time that I was on my own since she was born." Mmm. True.

Yikes. So, seven working days and I am a stay-at-home mom again. With the retrenchment package I can now, with care, stay home for about five months and then go back to working full time, or start my own business. I've picked up a little proofing work since I have been home (all three days) which brings in nice income, but I need a regular supply of work to do to be able to stay at home for any length of time.

Jessica seems to have settled back into life at home quite easily: she even rolled over for the first time today just as Adam got home! Quite a big milestone for a little person. I was so glad that I got to see it (another first!). Just think, a few days earlier and I would have missed it. She was so thrilled when she made it over onto her back! Big smiles and wonder at the change in landscape. What it is to be a child and see everything for the first time!

First day at the office... um, school!

I'm getting to be a big girl now. Yip, Mum went back to work today and I went to school for the first time. Well, actually they call it creche. Here's Dad getting me out of the car - I have to admit that I slept all the way to work. All that traffic! A girl just has to have a nap!

Here's a picture of me and Mum outside the creche while we waited for it to open. Next to us are Chantal and Jemma (it was also Jemma's first day today).

Monicah is the lady who runs school for us, helped by Sandra. Monicah loves picking me up and cuddling me. Er... I think I may have lipstick on my head so I am going to NEED that bath with Dad tonight.

There are three other girls at Korbitots: Leah is seven months old and trying to walk (you can see her behind Monicah in our picture), Ellen is six months old and loves to sit on the mat and bang her tambourine, and then there is Jemma who is five months old (but only 'cos she was born two months early - and she has a lot to say about it too, just ask the people in the office next to the creche).

All in all, it was a fun day. Mum came in to feed me whenever I got hungry, so I got to see her lots today. This might actually not be too bad!