Phew, because being that I started back to work on a limited 15 hour a week schedule this week I was beginning to get depressed, thinking I was doomed. But fortunately Greg is very hands-on and while we both have our slight varying tactics we use to care for Olivia, our overall philosophy and approach is the same. But the seed has been planted and even knowing I had a partner who is very hands-on I still couldn't shake the "two but not three" Barbara Wawa theory. And so the challenge begins!
Mondays and Fridays are my days off. Tuesday I am in the office from noon to 5pm and Weds. and Thurs. I work from home from noon to 5pm. While this schedule won't last forever--I will gradually build to working 30 hours a week--I am determined to have all three...why? Not because I am an overachiever or seeking a challenge...because all three mean a lot to me. Ok, perhaps (maybe) I could loose the work component but there is a sense of satisfaction I get from it as well. Is it my focus as it once was--NO; the priorities have shifted and the two I choose are my husband and child but that doesn't mean just because work is now the third ranking item that it goes being neglected. It means boundaries and balance...although I hate the latter--balance--it is so cliche and means that things aren't in harmony. So I prefer boundaries, and I will admit, I have not been so good at this in the past...Yes, this is the girl who would work in the office while in NYC until 10pm and cab it home. But now I have this little person starring into my eyes! It's amazing how powerful and magical that really is.
Olivia reminds me of what is important everyday. She also allows me to find great joy in the simplest of things and explore alongside her. For instance, she learned to giggle and laugh on Friday. THANK GOODNESS I was sitting next to her when she did. Check out the video--we caught the tail end of her giggle fest. Greg and I have watched this video 100 times since and we still merry in the joy she expresses. Little does she know but she is teaching mommy just as much as mommy is teaching her.
So far: happy baby, which will hopefully lead to successful child. Now onto the next challenge--healthy marriage. Ok, date nights are a little more challenging with an 11week old and most of our family in Southern California or at least 45 minutes away. Fortunately, we do have Greg's dad close if we ever get in a pinch. Suddendly I remembered reading, in some parenting publication, how to make date nights happen even if you don't leave your home. So, on Friday we started with a nice late afternoon family walk, then we fed baby and down she went to bed. And although I had planned to make dinner that turned into a joint activity as well! Fortunately, Greg enjoys cooking as well and he makes a great sous chef, and so we began the chopping and sautéing...the extra help was appreciated and fun, especially since we were trying a new recipe. Greg took the initiative to light the candles and voila--we were "out but in" for dinner together!
Afterwards, we meandered downstairs (with baby monitor in tow) to watch a movie. We realized however, we had a ton on TIVO that has gone unwatched and so being the reality TV junkies we are we opted for an episode of Kitchen Nightmares and Sober House (romantic, huh?). It might not sound like every one's idea of a great date but just having the uninterrupted time together was perfect enough for us. We call it reconnecting time and that it was. As for boundaries, I think I hit a milestone on Friday just like Olivia did with laughing; I didn't log in ONCE to my work email and I left the blackberry OFF! May not sound like a big deal but anyone who knows me should know just how significant that step is in my quest for balance!!
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