My Anchored Hope: Maternity Leave Done and Blessings All Around

Fast forward.....10 weeks later. And my maternity leave is done. Over. Completed.

Tomorrow, I shall face the world of a new working momma. It seems like yesterday I was at the hospital anticipating the birth of the most precious baby boy. Most of you already know that I'm having a difficult time with leaving my little man. Many of you have listened to me go on and on already and ~~talk~~ whine about how I'm struggling with this and I want to thank you for listening. This week, my emotions have been just as out of control as they were when I had Sawyer in my tummy. He just gets more stinkin' cute every minute and it makes it that much more difficult. Tuesday night, as Sawyer and Blake were playing, he was making all kinds of different coos and that's when the tears really started flowing. What if I miss him roll over for the first time? What if I miss his first big laugh? What if he says "Da Da" first? (And we all know that that just can't happen! Ha!) All these thoughts and more started running through my head. I hope it's normal for me to feel that super "guilty" feeling for leaving him every day. So many friends have given me such encouraging advice this week. I'm taking it all to heart. Some words that have stuck with me.....teaching is a calling from God, Sawyer's face is going to light up when his mommy gets home, it gets easier, and I have a great "mommy-friendly" job as far as the schedule goes. And the biggest thing of all that is going to help me do this is the multitude of prayers and support I already feel from friends and co-workers.

I have been blessed to have had my husband at home with me since the beginning of November. It's one of those blessings that God gives you and you don't realize it at first. Financially, it has been a little more stressful, but having Blake here with me and Sawyer outweighs that burden any day. I'm so thankful for Blake. He has been beyond supportive. There have been many nights where he has let me sleep as he got up with Sawyer through the night. He's a better diaper changer than me! Side note for those who don't know....Blake is still at home with back issues as we wait for him to be placed in a different position at his job. So, not only will it be a shock for me tomorrow to be gone away from Sawyer, but it will be a double shock for Blake as he will be playing the role of "Mr. Mom." Again, another blessing. I won't have to worry about packing up Sawyer and getting him out in these super cold mornings for now. Easier on Sawyer and easier on Momma. Maybe I will do a post on how it's working out for "Mr. Mom" in a few weeks;) Could get interesting. Ha!

I still want to go back and catch up on posts dating back to our first week at home since I am sort of using these blog posts to make up for my slack on keeping up on my baby books. But for now, I shall go kiss, hug, and love on my little angel before he goes night night! Here's to hoping Sawyer sleeps through the night again! Last night was his first time doing so and Mommy and Daddy were shocked when the clock said 6:15 a.m. this morning! He must know Mommy needs a "normal" sleep schedule;)

Even though it's going to be tough to be away from Sawyer, there is that huge part of me that is excited to see all my co-workers tomorrow and my room full of eager 2nd graders on Monday. I appreciate all the prayers of strength. Love to you all.