Back to Work.

It was time for me to return to work this weekend. First, I spent 2 days this week in a training class because our hospital transitioned to a new computer system. During the week leading up to my return I was thinking about how to make the transition. What would it feel like to have to learn a new computer system and get up to speed on all of the newest processes implemented at work? How to nurse Hayes while I was at work? What it would feel like to leave him and go to work to care for someone else? How Matt would feel spending his days shuttling back-and-forth to my job (that is how I nursed him) since we live so close? The fact that I was working shorter shifts and they gave me a few days to become acclimated to all of the "new" made the return much more manageable.  

On my computer training days Papa and Hayes met me for lunch (snacks) and I would nurse the little babe. After each class they picked me up and I took them Papa out for ice cream. In a Dreyer's vs. Baskin Robbins free standing store competition, Baskin Robbins came out the winner! I could eat ice cream every day.

I had Friday off with Hayes. How cute are his star jammies? In the morning we played and Hayes learned how to grab his foot and stick it in his mouth. In the afternoon we went grocery shopping, Hayes had a bath in the sink but barely fit. How did he get so big? Papa had a late night at work so we attempted to bake cookies but only got as far as making the dough. Hayes was in charge of holding eating the spatula. We tried a new recipe and LOVED the change. Milk and semi-sweet chips together is a nice change.

Saturday and Sunday were my 1st and 2nd shifts back to work. Both days Papa and Hayes got up and strolled to get me coffee and a pastry (they got themselves some too) while I slept in a bit. Hayes has been getting up several times a night, so even an extra minute of sleep feels like 30 minutes. Jake and Georgie even got in on the action. I have a picture of my first day working as a nurse and now as a mama/nurse. I like the second one better.

 

After each day of work we went on a little adventure. Saturday mama got a manicure which is rare these day, but I sure love it when it happens. Papa went to the barber at Temescal Alley which meant Hayes and I were able to walk around the alley. I love all of the tiny shops filled with gems.  Then we went home for bunless gardenburgers and ice cream sandwiches. 

Sunday we BBQ'd. We ate delicious food, spent time outside, laughed and spent time with great friends at their lovely home. It was a perfect night. I had the yummiest salad and smashed potatoes and Matt loved the pork tenderloin.  Hayes loved the girls and they loved him right back. With a weekend this fun I barely remember going back to work...it turns out it wasn't as difficult at I thought it might be.

Happy Labor Day!!

We were definitely looking forward to the long weekend and kicked it off with a dunk in our "pool" and a coffee date with papa.  This little of ours loves water and he loves cups.

Saturday morning we had a relaxing start to the day by making breakfast. When I was in Brooklyn a couple of years ago, I ate at a place that served baked grapefruit. This is my take on that dish. A pinch of salt, a bit of brown sugar, a few mint leaves and under the broiler it goes, until the edges are brown. Bam! You're done.

 Hayes was able to wear his mini Sperry Top-siders for the first time. Thank you Greg and Taylor! This was his first time wearing hard sole shoes. Why are miniature man clothes and shoes so darn cute?

 We were busy squeezing our baby and catching up with our family, so we only managed to get a few pictures of Andy and Shilpa's baby shower.  We ate, played games, ate some more and were just plain excited about all of the babies about to arrive.

                                     

The little mister was lucky to be loved up by his "bay area grandma" and grandma Joanne. He also met his Uncle Jim and Aunt Gerri for the first time, as well as many of his cousins. He and Uncle Jim played in the water, had many conversations (secret guy ones of course) and they even had matching outfits.  It was a lovely celebration and we are just so happy for Andy and Shilpa. We are patiently waiting for their sweet bundle of baby boy goodness to arrive. May I add that it is rare that I attend a party where the majority of the food served is vegetarian. This party was just that and I ate like a queen! I spied a little person who may have been as excited about the food as I was.
           
The next day we put on our best denim on denim and readied ourselves for a day in San Francisco.
We walked the Embarcadero, ate lunch at Gott's and took in the incredible weather. Hot and blue. We ended the day by driving out to Tracy for some block party fun. Hayes was especially fond of the the tiki torches.

   
                                     

Our last day of the long weekend was spent mostly at home. Playtime, gardening and enjoying the fruits of our labor (the tomatoes are taking over our garden but I'm not complaining) seemed like a natural way to start the day.

Papa wanted to go browse the Labor Day sales and I wanted to get my favorite cupcakes. We did just that and also worked on our family selfies. We turned our little babe into art, his little toes dangling outside of the frame. Papa laughed while Hayes attacked his chin. Hayes made this funny "O" mouth. This is what he does when he is interested in something and wants to hold it, or taste it. In this case a water bottle. Water bottles are a big hit around our house. We ended the evening by having an indoor picnic. Papa had the last of his birthday cake, I made s'mores in the toaster oven and Hayes got his tiny hands on some cantaloupe.  It went by so quickly but we sure had a relaxing weekend. We hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend.

 He smiles or we do, but never at the same time.