It happened again...

I neglected you!  Super sucks, I know.  Friends, again?  ok good. 

Moving on....

So since I've blogged last, our fam has had a few exciting changes.  Johnny has a new job!  Yay!  In addition to owning/running the most awesome adult kickball experience here in Tampa, he's now an editor/manager (you like my slash --/ moment, right) for an internet/marketing firm.  He manages over 30 sites/blogs.  His interns and freelancers do the writing, he does the editing, concept creation, and managing.  You like how I made that sound like I know what he's doing, huh?  Don't ask me any other questions about what he does, because I got nothing.

Harper transistioned from home daycare to well, uh, daycare in August.  And she's done great!  Her teachers are happy and impressed with how quickly she's acclamated to their school.  Apparently her climbing skills are out of this world.  Haha, I knew that already.  I'm happy that she's learning, appears comfortable and is happy.  No tears at drop off makes a for a very happy mama!

Change number 3... we've moved about a half mile away from the beach.  It's so laid back here.  Our section of the beach is a self proclaimed weird, eccentric area and our neighbors and beach residents like it that way.  Their slogan is "keep it weird".  Seriously.  It's on signs and and banners and stuff.

So, now as we are gearing up for the holidays, my mind turned to my neglected blog. I've missed this!  I will be better.  Plus, with all the comings and goings of this season, I need some place to reflect and stay sane.  You have been on my mind.  I've going to get better at documenting the making and growig of our fam.  Really I am.

Hold me to it, ok?

Can a Working Mom practice Attachment Parenting?

That was my question as I pondered this parenting style and the undeniable fact that I was returning to work.  Nonetheless, I was determined to make it work!

As a teacher/educator, I have the benefit of added in breaks to my work schedule.  Due to the fact that Harper was born via (emergency) c-section, this afforded me 8 weeks as opposed to 6 weeks of maternity leave.  And my maternity leave ended right before Spring break, so I had 9 wonderful uninterrupted weeks with my girl!  I was a babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding junkie!  And I loved every minute of it!  As did Harper.  Due to her small size at birth, I definitely wanted to do everything I could to ensure her health and development stayed on track.

Then came the dreaded day that I had to go back to work.  I had to make sure everything was in place for my girl and our style.  I found a great caregiver.  When I started back to work, I came with breast pump in-tow!  Fortunately, my position and schedule allowed me to sneak away at leaast twice a day to pump.  My body certainly had to adjust to the new schedule.  When it was time to pump, boy was I ready!!!

When we got home, it was babywearing and breastfeeding time!  This allowed my girl and I to reconnect and allowed us to maintain our bond.

Almost a month after I went back to work, a wonderful thing happended... SUMMER BREAK!  Two more months of time with my girl. 

Now my high needs baby is a high needs toddler (different blog post for a different day!).

Yes, you can work and practice attachment parenting.  Work to achieve the right balance for you and your family.  And enjoy the ride!

Time management

I've got to get better!  I want to blog, be an awesome mom and Teacher of the Year (well, pretty darn close).  But how to do it all?  How are other working mommies doing it?

I'm still me...

I love my new role in life.  Me, a mother.  But before I became a mommy, I was a daughter, sister, wife, niece, cousin, and friend.  I was me!  Sure I have dreams of becoming a super mom; even the soccer mom I make fun of all the time.  But I'm still going to have fun, go to festivals, travel, get my drink on, have sex (yes Mama, I said it!).  All the while, being the best daughter, sister, wife, niece, cousin, friend and mom I know how to be.

I'm still me!