Juggling Work and Motherhood

Edmund Playing with His School Friend

In each of the last few posts I have mentioned how amazed I am at how much time has passed since I've had a chance to write in Edmund's blog. This post is no different. I really don't know where the time goes. Although I do have an inkling some of my time is sucked up by work. Unfortunately I returned to work as our school is preparing to undergo reaccreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). I have even toyed with the idea of writing a book about my love/hate relationship with NAEYC, but that's a story for another day. I selfishly hoped I would miss out on the NAEYC accreditation while on maternity leave, but I had no such luck. I wouldn't call myself a work-aholic, but I do strive to do my best when it comes to work. Shortly before Edmund's birth, however, I made a promise to myself that I would stop working outside of school hours. I assumed my director would be especially pleased with this, especially since she is often on my case about the amount of work I do outside of school. Unfortunately it appears I have returned to my old ways. This is not because I wanted to however, but because now the director is asking us to put in outside school hours to get ready for NAEYC. If we pass we will be offered a bonus, but I'd rather have the time with Edmund. At least I know the end will come sometime in late October.

Now that I've blown off some steam about NAEYC, it's time for the important topic--Edmund! Edmund is quickly acquiring new skills. There are days I'll think to myself "when did he learn to do that." For one, he has now mastered the art of sucking on his hands. You will recall that when he discovered his hands he would often end up hitting himself in the face. He now steadies his hands with ease. Once steadied, he brings his hands to his mouth and begins merrily sucking on them. He is also showing signs that he may forgo the pacifier for his thumb. Future postings will reveal his final choice. Edmund also prefers his hands to toys. I'll offer him a toy and he'll drop it in favor of bringing his hands together and waving them in front of his face. One day I decided to try this action to see what the appeal was, but I'm afraid it did not have the same mystifying effect on me that it has on Edmund.

Edmund is also consistently grasping toys when they are offered. He can even use two hands to manipulate his toys, and you guessed it, bring them to his mouth. At school I try to get pictures of Edmund playing with a toy, but by the time I have the camera ready he already has the toy to his mouth. I should also take the time to describe Edmund's favorite activity at school. He absolutely loves the kick gym. The toy has a foot pedal that the baby must kick in order to get the overhead toys to spin and play music. Edmund gets so excited and kicks so vigorously it's hard not to laugh. My description can't do it justice. I hope to get a video before he outgrows the toy, which unfortunately will be in the not too distant future. The babies all seem to lose interest once they can sit up. But for now I simply wonder if Edmund thinks I bring him to school simply to kick the kick gym. When I look at how focused and engaged he is while at the kick gym I picture him as a little baby worker who must carefully time each kick in order to be productive at his baby job.

On Sunday Edmund will be 4 months old! Everyone says "the time goes by too quickly," and I have to say that "everyone" is right. I love watching my baby grow into a little boy, but wish his babyhood wasn't so fleeting. While my job can be exhausting at times, I have to remember how fortunate I am to be with my baby everyday. I will be present for all his milestones and it can't get better than that!

Laughing Edmund

Edmund was the talk of the school in this outfit from his Great Uncles

I'm happy to report that both Edmund and I survived the first week of preschool. Edmund is still as laid back as he was the first day (phew!). Edmund is already making friends. There is a little girl in his class named Emma who is exactly one week younger than Edmund. One day I put Edmund and Emma side by side on the floor mat. My intention was to see how their sizes compared, but to my surprise they linked arms. I don't think they realized they were separate beings seeing as how they both attempted to eat the other's hand. I must admit it was quite a cute sight. After about 5 minutes of this I realized I had my camera, but unfortunately by the time I retrieved it they had unlinked arms--oh well.

Edmund Has Tummy Time with a Classmate

I should also take the time to mention a very big milestone. Edmund is now laughing, allthough it took us awhile to figure out that the funny noise he makes from time to time is a laugh. He sucks in air repetitively, making somewhat of a long, low sound. After he does this for about 30 seconds he gives himself the hiccups. We're hoping he eventually figures out how to laugh without hiccuping because it cuts his laughing sessions short. And his laugh, funny as it may be, is contagious.

Edmund Goes to School

Edmund in His Going to School Outfit
(he peed on it before the end of the day)

Greetings Edmund Fan Club. It has been quite awhile since I've had a chance to sit down and write. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Steven started his Ob-Gyn rotation last week and this week Edmund and I started school.

So far Edmund has been quite the wonderful pupil. He is a happy little guy. It is only his third day, but to this point he has yet to let out a full blown cry. I wish the other babies would follow his example. I am not jumping up and down over his easy going nature at school just yet, however. It could be that he is simply taking everything in right now to one day drop his bomb of fury. Seeing as he has always been an easy going baby, he probably will remain happy. Pray that he does! Unfortunately a happy baby in childcare is a catch-22. It means he is the child everyone loves, but is often ignored because he doesn't demand attention. I try my best to talk with him about everything that is going on while I play with and tend to other babies, so he knows he is not forgotten. I have heard working moms say that they treasure time with their children so much more than they would otherwise. Even though Edmund is with me at work I feel the same way about our time together. Our afternoons have become very special. Afternoons and evenings are now a time to cuddle. So I will bid you all farewell for the evening as I go lavish my son with love and kisses.