A New Chapter

The past couple of weeks have been some of the craziest of my life!  I went back to work full time last week to Channel 4 where I have been for the last 6 1/2 years of my life.  To say it was hard, was a huge understatement!  I had to wake up super early to have time to nurse, pump, wash and pack bottles, etc.  Meanwhile, poor Hayes was stuck in the bouncer all morning while we rushed around to get out of the house.  Work was crazy just trying to "catch up" from being on maternity leave especially while trying to pump 3 times while there... Then, once I got home at around 6:30pm, I only had about an hour to see Hayes.  We ate dinner in "shifts" and struggled to get dinner ready and get him bathed and to bed.  Afterwards was filled with washing bottles, pump parts, cleaning up the kitchen, pumping one last time, and then passing out in bed.  We felt like we were in boot camp!!

Could we live like that?  Sure.  But, do we WANT to live like that?  Absolutely not.  We had definitely gotten used to a less stressful life while I was on maternity leave.  I was able to have everything done during the day, have dinner on the table when Derek got home, and then we were able to play with our baby and relax in the evenings.  It was so nice and non-stressful.  Derek was able to thrive more at his job knowing that everything was being taken care of.  We joke that I was his "executive assistant"....

After going back to work, I have a HUGE respect for working moms.  This, by far, is the toughest job and makes staying home with your child seem so easy (and not to mention so enjoyable!!)  One of my biggest "pet peeves" is when mothers staying home refer to it as a "job".  Will some days be tough?  Sure.  But to me, it is nothing less than a PRIVILEGE to be able to spend every day with your child.

With all this being said, Derek and I made the very tough decision over the weekend that I would resign from my job in order to stay home with Hayes.  I resigned on Monday (November 15th) and had my last day on Tuesday (November 16th).  The hardest part was actually resigning.  Once I did, I felt as if a huge weight was lifted and had complete peace with our decision.  

What solidified the decision for us was the sermon preached on Sunday about "Contentment".  Since being home will require a lifestyle change and sacrifice, the passage from Philippians 4:12-13 was just what we needed to hear: 

 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 

Now with all this being said, I don't know if I am necessarily "cut out" to be a stay-at-home mom 100% of the time.  So, I have begun exploring some part time options that will allow me to stay at home with Hayes.  STAY TUNED for more details on this!!

Anyway, below are some recent pics of our little guy.  How could anyone blame me for not being able to stay away!!

Beat Ole Miss!

Just relaxing in my jeans

Meeting "Grand Aunt Winnie" and Uncle Howard for the first time!

Playtime!

Lovin on my "lovey"