Working Mamma

Mommy's Going Bye-Bye

I'm going out of town, for work, to present at a conference.  Without the kids.  Eeek!

Traveling for work is hardest aspect of my job.  And, at the same time, the most exciting.

Before I leave, it's a logistical nightmare: lining up childcare, packing, planning flights, making sure there's enough food for the kids and litter for the cats, and on and on.  And don't even ask about the time I had to dump out 100 ounces of pumped breast milk (lesson learned: keep a thermometer in the freezer!).

But there is something unbelievably amazing about returning to an empty hotel room, ordering room service, and watching an entire episode of Law & Order, without any interruptions.  It's really great... for a couple of hours anyway.  And then I begin missing my family terribly.  And I start attacking other conference attendees with my kids' pictures.  And no one wants that.

The Good Things

There are things I really like about being a working mom.  Besides the whole earning money thing, that is.

• I like that I have a reason to wear something other than sweatpants, which is totally what I would do if I could.  The other day at the mall I saw a pair of sweatpants with "Party Pants" written on the rear that I found quite amusing.  Not that amusing, though.
• I like talking to grownups about grownup things.  Even if that means American Idol instead of Elmo.
• I love showing my kids that a mom can earn the money and a dad can stay home and take care of kids.  It's a brave new world out there, kiddos!
• But most of all, I love coming home.  I love being greeted at the door with kisses and hugs and "How was work today, Mama?"

Because that old adage is true - absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  And presence?  Kind of makes you tired.

Mostly Just Steps Back

As a working mom, mornings are always a challenge.  When I had only one child, I would sneak out of the house veeeeery early, go work out, and get ready for the day at the gym.  It was great.

But along came child #2, and suddenly child #1 is awake before my alarm goes off and her calls of, "Mom, I slept a lot and a lot," wake up her baby brother, and my chances of getting to the gym are pretty much shot.  The "sacrifices" we'll make, I tell ya.

The more I've done the  night before (set out clothes, washed and packed breast pump parts, etc.), the less likely I am to run late.  But, of course, it still happens.  Those mornings when only Mommy can help the preschooler go potty or when the baby needs to nurse one last time.  But thankfully, I have a consolation prize built into my system - and it's called fast food breakfast.  (Healthy, I know.)  Because, if I'm going to be late anyway, I may as well do it on a full tummy. 

Now, as to why I haven't lost all of my baby weight... Hmmm... That mystery has yet to be solved.

New Mother Timeline

4 weeks pregnant: Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh I'm going to have a baaaaaaaabeeeeeeeee!

9 months pregnant: Get this thing out of me!

1 month postpartum: Huh?  Wha?  Come again?

3 months postpartum: Hey!  I just started settling into this mom thing and now I have to go back to work?

6 months postpartum: I am so loving this mom thing.

11 months postpartum: This baby isn't looking very much like a baby anymore.  (At this point I completely lose my ever-loving mind.)  Maybe it's time for another one?

Voicemailing Myself

Hi!  Well, I guess this here is the post in which I introduce myself as Tenille, Working Mamma blogger.

I have an almost three-year-old daughter, E, and an almost one-year-old son, D.  I work full-time.  So anyway.

Are you ever, say, cutting up green beans into pea-sized chunks (wondering why you're not just serving peas in the first place) when it suddenly occurs to you that you MUST remember to do something at work tomorrow?  And I, for one, absolutely cannot trust tomorrow-me's memory, at all.  So, I'll pick up the phone and dial my extension at work.

My work phone: Ring, ring, ring, ring

Meanwhile: Cutting up chicken into pea-sized pieces

My work voice: Hi, this is Tenille...

Me: Huh?  Why am I calling myself? 

Apparently, I can't really trust three-minutes-from-now me either.

So, when I finally remember what message I want to leave, I always add something nice on the end like, "Hey  nerd, you look extra cute today!"  Because it makes me laugh.  Every. Time.