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!