VIVA...

LAS VEGAS!

This past weekend, Nick and I ventured to Las Vegas with some friends to celebrate his 30th birthday (which is on the 18th!). We had a great time. We flew out there on Friday morning and met Kristi and Michael Galloway, Sarah and J. Long, Clint Mountain and Emily, and a few other couples from Birmingham. It was a great trip. Since Kristi and Michael are in DC, Sarah and J. in Birmingham, and Clint and Emily in Tuscaloosa, we don't get to see them very often, so it was great to catch up.

Nick was so happy because he got to spend a lot of time at the poker table...something he has really missed. He played cards with a group of guys fairly regularly when we lived in Birmingham, so it was nice for him to get to play with some of them this weekend. I was able to enjoy some time at the spa and hang out and catch up with the girls. We had some wonderful meals and just enjoyed being together and with our friends.

It was, however, my first overnight trip away from Carter, but I managed to do okay. My mom graciously came up to Indianapolis to keep him while we were gone--a huge THANK YOU to her, because without her keeping him, this trip would not have been possible for me--so I knew he was in good hands. I have to admit...I was really missing him, though, and ready to get home! It is so difficult to be away from him for that long!

Nick is actually headed out to California for a work trip, so Carter and I will be on our own until Wednesday! Hopefully, I'll survive being a single working parent for 3 days!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

my first attempt at a magnolia wreath

hanging the advent ornament on the tree

We have been decorating for Christmas around the Willis household this week. We were going to go as a family to pick out our Christmas tree last Friday night after work, but Carter was fussy and sleepy, so he napped and Nick went to get the tree while I stayed with Carter. Nick managed to get the lights on the tree on Sunday while I put up the rest of the decorations and created a magnolia wreath for our front door. For the past two years, Nick's mom has made a magnolia wreath for our door, but this year I had to tackle the assembly myself (Debbie sent me the magnolia branches! thanks!). I must say; it doesn't look too bad. It isn't as pretty as the ones Debbie and Andrea make, but not too shabby for a rookie. We capped off our Christmas decorating by putting the ornaments on the tree last night; so now our house looks as festive as we are feeling!

Not out of the woods yet...

So, my strong performance on day one of daycare has not really been repeated since. I generally do okay in the mornings when I either drop him off or leave him at home with Nick to drop him off, but I fade quickly as the day goes by. Tuesday I had a mini-breakdown at work around lunchtime and a major breakdown on the phone with my friend, Deanna, that night. Yesterday, I had a full out crying episode at work and also last night. Who knew it would be so hard to be away from the little guy? It is so weird...even up until probably the weekend before, I was totally okay with everything. All of our married life, I had planned to be a working mom. I guess it is just different when it is reality. It isn't that I don't think it can be done, or even that I can do it; it is more that I just ache when I am away from him.

Some of my friends say that they have a hard time with daycare because it feels impersonal, the toys are ragged or "used" looking, etc. That isn't my issue at all. I know that when he is there he is happy and well cared for. My issue is that I just want to be with him. It is also funny how difficult it is for me to be passionate about things at work now. Somehow, those things just don't seem as important as they once were.

On the flip side, Carter seems to be doing incredibly well. His teacher told Nick that he is much more happy and less fussy than most of the babies they have during their first week. A friend that I work with (who has a son a week older than Carter, who will be in daycare with him) went by there yesterday and said Carter was on a play mat batting at the toys and talking--that he looked content and happy.

My friend, Christina, who has twins a few weeks older than Carter and also works, posted a comment to my last entry that said some days are better than others. I think that couldn't be more true. Today, I feel okay, at least for now. Who knows, by lunch time, I could be dissolved into a fit of tears. Hopefully not, but you never know. I find that I am also having a hard time because by the time I get home at night, I feel like there is so little time to do anything. Not to mention that the only thing I WANT to do is spend time with Carter.

I think that of all of this, the thing that makes me thank God the most is that I realize how precious a gift that Carter--and motherhood--is.

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Back to Work and off to Daycare!!!

With Ms. Deanna on my first day of daycare

Today was my first day back at work, and I have to say, it went fairly well. I had to get up a little earlier than usual since I was adding a few steps to my morning routine, so I must admit that I am a little more tired than usual tonight.

Nick and I both took Carter to his first day of "school" (read: daycare). Thanks to Nick for indulging me on this...I am sure there was probably no reason that we both needed to go, but I appreciated the moral support. I actually made it through the drop off with NO tears! Don't get me wrong, I cried all day on Sunday thinking about it! He was smiling right before we left, so that helped me do well, I think.

I called around lunchtime to check on him and his teacher said he was doing great! When I went to pick him up, he was fussing a little bit while one of the teachers was holding him, but when I started talking to him, he immediately jerked his head up to look for me. What a nice treat after being away from him all day! Once I got him home and fed him, he definitely wanted to love on his mom and dad for a little bit. After that he totally cashed out in his swing...worn out from his day at school and content to be home!

(make sure to scroll down--I did two posts today and I would hate for you to miss the cute pictures in the other post!)

Cashed out in my swing after my first day of school

Flirting with Haley

These pictures were entirely too cute not to share! About a week and a half ago, we went over to the Gilroys' house for dinner and to hang out a bit. Carter was fussing for a little bit of attention and was also a little warm since he was already in his PJs, so Haley volunteered to entertain him for a little while. He was obviously not only entertained, but quite tickled!

Carter was just giving Haley a little practice before she and James went to her hometown for Thanksgiving. Her sister just had a little baby girl not even two weeks ago!