Bird by Bird

Yet again another nearly 8 weeks has passed since my last post. But it certainly hasn't been without excitement, tears, and milestones. The little man is 3.5 months old now and turning into quite the little chatty charmer. His gummy smiles and throaty giggles are the highlight of each day. But of course with the ups come the downs as well. It really continues to be such a roller coaster ride of emotions. Hey moms out there, when does that get better? Yet another really practical bit of information that was not included in my medical school and residency curriculums.

But the days are flying in what continues to feel like a complete and utter time vacuum. Among the highlights (and lowlights) of the past few weeks:

- Rolling over (the little man, from front to back)

-Cooing, giggling, gurgling (the little man, though at times I join in)

- Sleeping through the night (the little man, not regularly, and even when he does I never do, but hey it's a start. And let's not even discuss what has been going on in the sleep department for the last few nights. Not pretty.)

- Starting day care (hard for me, seems to be going well for him. And although the few times he has gone has given me a much needed break to do things like grocery shop, exercise, and write this posting, mostly with my time away from him I feel lonely, sad, and a bit empty. I'm hoping this will improve with time but I do anticipate this working mom struggle being an ongoing theme).

- Going back to work (me, and technically I start in 2 weeks, but I have some orientation activities this week and next). So glad I timed this return to work to mirror the NPR fall pledge drive (to be read with heavy sarcasm). I mean, honestly, I need news, people. I've been in a post partum alternate reality for the past 3 months with my only link to the outside world the Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me podcast I listen to on my walks around Green Lake. And yes, I've become one of those Green Lake walker moms. Among the many things I used to disdain and now have embraced whole heartedly... like art cards... nursing sports bras... excessive numbers of muslin swaddling blankets... the "mother room" at Nordstroms... spinning classes at my new gym that has daycare. I mean, seriously. I need efficient working out. And 1 hour of spinning really gets it done.

- Putting on a pair of non maternity, non elastic waistband pants (me, this morning, for my work orientation. Maybe those pants have a few extra button holes that make the waist line a little expandable. And maybe those buttons aren't in the correct alignment currently. And maybe I wore these pants with various button hole combinations well past my second trimester. But hey, they have a zipper. They are normal pants. And I am wearing them).

And last but very not least...

- Becoming a guest blogger on a fantastic Seattle mom blog called Moms Alive! Check me out here:

So it's been a busy few weeks with a lot of transition. Transitions have never been my forte, and it seems this is the hardest, most significant one of my life thus far. But we are plodding along, day by day, moment to moment, and bird by bird.