News at Home: And so it begins…
Tomorrow I start my new job and Dante goes to daycare for the first time. My maternity leave is officially over. Y’all, I’m thrilled and nervous and excited and anxious all in one.
I’ve spent this past week in a whirlwind of preparation. I went through my closet and KonMaried (that’s a word no, right?) the hell out of it. I’ve actually never read the book because I didn’t need to. I’ve never had trouble with hanging on to things. I’m not sentimental and I don’t like keeping something I’m not using. This was the first time it was actually a challenge going through my closest, because:
- Maternity clothes are expensive and what if we decide to have another baby?
- I don’t want to get rid of clothes that I hope to fit in again. But I also don’t want to start storing clothes I’m not using.
- I’m starting a new job and I’m not 100% sure how business professional vs business casual I will have to be. But I do know my Kindergarten leggings and t-shirts won’t fly. Some of that stuff was expensive, so it’s cleared out of my closet, but I need to get some money for it.
Ultimately I decided to keep the maternity clothes for a year. When Dante turns 1 year old, I’ll evaluate if we want another child or not. If we do, I’ll be glad I didn’t get rid of them. If we don’t, I’ll pass them on to someone who’s pregnant and in need of cheap maternity clothes (that’s how I acquired most of it anyway).
For clothes that are too small, I evaluated whether I really wore them much. If I did, they went into storage to try on again in a few months. If I didn’t, they went into the sell pile.
And my clothes that aren’t business professional, but I really like went into casual, after work/weekend wear. Everything else into the sell pile. So now I have another project… selling clothes. sigh
I also went through and re-labeled Dante’s clothes for daycare. I had done it once, but the labels all fell off. Let me tell you, as soon as I have time, I’m leaving quite the review on Amazon! So I got some iron on labels (which required also getting an iron because who irons? that’s what the dryer’s for, right?) and they worked much better.
Wednesday I dropped off the things that aren’t going back and forth daily – a bunch of diapers, a few extra clothes, white noise machine, nap pajamas, burp cloths, ointment, etc – and got my keyless entry fob from the daycare. I’m so glad I went, because I met a parent of the youngest kid (until Dante starts tomorrow) in the class and her daughter has been there since she was six weeks old (she’s 3 months now, so just a few weeks older than Dante). Talking to her was super reassuring – she’s so happy with the daycare. It also means I’ve now been there three different times of day and seen different staff and always been happy with what I saw. A good sign.
Thursday for Thanksgiving we spent some time with Franky’s family at his house and then headed over to my sister-in-law’s for an hour or so. It was a really nice day and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. It’s amazing how much we have to be thankful for!
Friday and Saturday I did a little shopping for the few things my closet really needed to have a completely functioning work wardrobe. Then I became a cleaning maniac. I clean every weekend, but I kind of went crazy with it. I don’t know, maybe I’m more anxious about next week than I thought and I feel like, if my apartment is spotless everything will be okay? IDK.
Kiko is SO WORRIED about Dante starting daycare that it kind of stresses me out. It also makes me feel guilty – not for taking him to daycare, but for being ready to take him to daycare. I love him SO MUCH, but I’m ready to feel like me again. A working professional. I look forward to picking him up at the end of the day and having MISSED him and enjoying our evenings and weekends together. But Kiko is so sad about taking him that he keeps trying to figure out some miraculous way we can afford for him to stay home from work. Even if we could afford it, I wouldn’t stay home. Thankfully, he’s not judging me for wanting to go back, he’s just worried about how Dante will be all day. I think he’ll be fine. He’s a good baby and they are professionals. I guess time will tell.
Today I plan to blog, prep food for the week, and just get my mind right for the week ahead. Oh and I started knitting again! I made Dante a pair of booties for a baby size 0-3 months (which he is) and they’re too small, so I started another pair. I want to finish them today. I’m sure I’m forgetting something…
Blog News
It’s December… which means COYER starts today! Yay! I feel more ready than I’ve been for COYER in a long time. I think partly because I just love the theme of Friendship. It’s what blogging is all about for me.
Buddy Reads
I’m doing 3 buddy reads (on the calendar so far, I might add more). Two start today and one is January 1st. I’ll keep track on my Sunday posts.
Starting today:
- Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett. I’m reading this one with Linda.
- The Toll by Neal Shusterman. I’m reading (listening to) this one with Jamie.
Starting January 1:
- The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton. I’m reading this one with Anne.
Recommended Reads
I also was excited about the recommended reading part of COYER with Friends, so I went through all the sign up posts yesterday – so many good recommendations y’all! – and these are the books I’m might read (I’m linking to the recommender):
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.
- The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
- The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
- Beard Necessities by Penny Reed
- Not Your Average Engagement by Cassie Mae
- Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
- The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
So yeah, lots of reading ahead of me this COYER! I plan to do lots of blogging today too – finishing up posts for the week, some visiting and replying to comments 🙂
Last Week on the Blog
- [25 Nov] Memory Man by David Baldacci ★★★★★
- [26 Nov] Thankful Freebie! #TTT
- [27 Nov] Waiting on Wednesday ~ The Countess
- [28 Nov] Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
- [29 Nov] FitReaders Update ~ November 17 – 23
- [30 Nov] So Could You? Read a Series in a Month?
- [30 Nov] Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1) by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff ★★★★
- [1 Dec] #COYER Winter with Friends starts… NOW!
- [1 Dec] Sunday Post with Berls | And so it begins…
- [1 Dec] The Sunday Post ~ Turkey, Decorations and Relaxing ~ Week in READview!
Coming Next Week From Me
Sunday
Sunday Post with Berls
Monday
FitReaders December Goals
Tuesday
2020 Reading Assignment Challenge Signup
Friday
Fit Readers Update
I saw pictures of you both ready for your first day. I have been thinking of you both!
I thought of you Monday and hope everything went as smoothly as it can! SO glad you’re feeling good about the daycare and talking with the parents is such a good idea! I wore some of my smaller maternity clothes for the first few months after my youngest was born and they were so comfy for the end of the day. There was a pair of maternity yoga pants that I still miss but I’m not sad they don’t fit anymore! It’s so funny how we all have different issues. There were quite a few things I was panicked about and my husband was completely cool with and vice versa! Hope you’re having a great week!
WOW!! I can’t believe the new job is already here. I know you mentioned on FB the first day went well, and I’m so glad. It’s tough, but you are making the right decision. I know so many friends/moms that didn’t go back to work after their baby was born and 1-2 years later felt lost. On the other hand, I did go back, worked for just over a year and realized it wasn’t a good fit for our family. I took a year off (luckily we could afford it) and then found a new part time job. You will know in time if it will work for you and your family.
Transition is tough, but it sounds like you’ve thought through the job and with Dante’s care so wishing you well now.
Great job setting up your buddy reads. I have one. I need to figure out my recommend reading.
Have a good week, Berls!
Good luck with the return to work! I’m sure Dante will be fine with daycare.
I have a pile of kid’s clothes I need to sell or pass on but I just never have the time (or it’s super low on the priority list) and it always feels like a hassle arranging collection etc… I wish you luck with that chore! Maybe I’ll also get around to it as part of a pre-Christmas clear out!
I wish you good luck and that everything goes well for you and Dante. I’m so glad you feel good about the daycare; that’s important. You did exactly the way I am doing my sorting as I unpack. If something fits but I don’t wear it, it goes. (I still have a box of maternity clothes and my daughter is 23! She might want them someday?). You are doing so well with everything. I’ve been enjoying your blogging but don’t feel bad if you are busy with the new job the next few weeks.
I’m sure Dante will love daycare, Berls! And I hope Kiko will get over his own guilt, and see that it’s what’s best for everyone in your family.
WOW, you have definitely been very busy. I actually need to go through my closet, too – I did it a year ago, but somehow, now, I have too much clothes again – even if I haven’t really bought much lately.
I love that COYER is starting today! After I finish the book I’m reading now (Beard Necessities – buddy read with Anne @ Books of My Heart), I’m starting Off Sides.
Have a great week at your new job! Sending all the good thoughts to you, Dante and Kiko <3