Long time no see!!

I'm a little embarrassed that this blog is called A Working Mom's World and I haven't posted since I started working!! I guess it just goes to show how busy things got!!

Since it's almost my 1 year blogaversary, I thought I would do a catch up post! So what have we been up to in the past 7 months?

I went back to work April 2. It didn't take long before it felt like I hadn't left! It didn't help (or maybe it did help) that I got back right in time for the summer rush. The days would fly by and I didn't even realize it! Most of my work friendships fell right back into place and I even made a few new ones! Having a kid gives you something to talk about with almost everyone! People without kids love to hear the cute things your kid does, and people with kids like to commiserate over the sleepless nights!

Ahh those sleepless nights!! Charlotte adjusted really well to daycare, but as expected she got sick, and Melvin got sick, and I got sick, and over and over again it went. People kept saying, "it's good, it's good! She will build up her immune system!!" and apparently so will we!! Within the first 2 months of daycare, Charlotte had an ear infection, a few colds and pink eye. Melvin also got pink eye since he graciously was able to stay home with her! I got a few colds, and thankfully escaped the pink eye! AFter the first few months, things got considerably better. She is actually getting over a cold and ear infection now, but this is the first in a while. Let me tell you, seeing Curious Caterpillars come up on my call ID at work is never a good thing! They do take great care of her, but if she has a fever, she is sent home and has to be fever free for 24 hours, which means at least a day and a half off work for one of us!! Back to sleep...or lack thereof, Char was sleeping soooo well before daycare, she got sick and we lost track of time...she started needing the comfort during the night again, so up we got, we took turns though since 6am comes realllllly fast!! A few weeks ago, we decided to re sleep train her. She cried a few times the first few nights, but the past few weeks she's been really good! Sleep is so important when you have to use your brain during the day and not just watch TV!!

So here we are, fall is in full force. Summer flew by! We went to Timmins twice for weddings, my parents visited at least that many times and now Melvin's dad is here for a week before they fly off to Europe on a 2nd honeymoon! November is shaping up to be a really busy month for Melvin and I with work events and catching up with friends we've neglected in the past few months. But such is life when there is a major change happening! Thankfully everyone seems to get it!

Melvin joined the gym and goes on his lunch hour. I'm back with my Mommy Fitness Group on Saturday mornings and I've taken to running in the morning before work ok - I've gone twice, but that's because last week was a washout with all the rain and I fully intend to go at least 3 times this week!!

I promise to check in more often!! But I leave you with a few pics of the past few months. We no longer have a baby, but a running, talking, mess making toddler!!

Until next time...enjoy!

Back to reality!

I can't believe I've been off for over a year. It really feels like a month ago I was still at work and pregnant. So much has happened this past year and I am both happy and sad to start this new path!

Little Charlotte Jia Li Tan was born at 11:45 am on Tuesday March 15, 2011. She was 6lbs 7oz. She was pretty helpless and just slept, ate and pooped. As the months went on, we were so proud of every milestone. I remember the first time she rolled over from tummy to back, she was so surprised!! How did I get this way, and how do I get back, the look on her face said!

She was 6 months old when we started her on baby rice cereal. I remember she would only eat a teaspoon at a time. But she sure loved it. It wasn't long before she was ready for more. We started with sweet potatoes! Yum!!

She hated being in the car, so we would strategically plan our trips around her nap time. During the summer, we would walk the dogs at night, and she was still so little, Melvin would just carry her in his arms so she could see everything! She still loves taking walks, but is quite happy in her stroller now.

Then, at 6.5 months, Charlotte had her first cold. I felt so horrible! I don't remember if I was sick first, or if it was her, but it didn't really matter. Poor little girl, didn't understand why her nose was so stuffy and she was coughing. Ofcourse there is nothing that can be done, but give her some extra cuddles and snuggles. So that we did!

Then came teeth! Charlotte got her 2 first teeth (bottom 2) on October 5th. She was so cute smiling with her little chompers showing! And so proud! Teething wasn't nearly as bad as alot of the stories I had heard. So that was quite the relief! Today, she has 6 teeth. 4 at the top and the same 2 chomps at the bottom. According to her red cheeks and cries last night, we think a new one is on it's way!

I remember wishing for Charlotte to crawl, thinking she never would!! Yes, now I am eating my words!! Ofcourse I am happy she is developing, but now I know why my mommy friends kept saying, "be careful what you wish for!!" That little munchkin is EVERYWHERE!! As far as we know, she has only had one piece of dog food, but hey, it's good quality dog food, so it's not too bad right?? She loves their water bowl and loves the french doors in our living room. I think she likes to look and kiss herself in the glass! Grandpa will have his work cut out for him in June as he has the habit of cleaning our windows!!

It wasn't long after the crawling that the constant pulling up started! All she wants to do is stand!! We've lowered her crib to the lowest level, and she wasn't happy when she realized it wasn't so easy to get up now!! As of March 16, 2012, a day after her 1st Birthday. She weighs 17.2lbs and measures 26.5 inches. That's just over 2 feet of Charlotte!!!

Today she is spending the better part of the day at Curious Caterpillars. Melvin came to do the drop off with me this morning as he will be taking over the morning routine on Monday. This is the first morning she really cried and I think it's because we were both there. She had stopped crying by the time we got to the top of the stairs to leave though. So I have the day to myself today! I went for a run, came home, showered, made a smoothie and finished my book. All that before 11am! I don't pick her up until 3pm!! Everywhere I go, I feel like I'm forgetting something and I swear I heard her cry when I was in the shower this morning! I wonder if I will hear or see her around the office next week!

Speaking of office, they are expecting me at 8am sharp on Monday morning. I will work until 4pm and then pick up Charlotte from daycare! I have my framed Birthday Girl picture of Charlotte ready to put up at my desk along with my bag of stationary that I admitably never unpacked!

I had a great 1st year with my little family and am very thankful for our very supportive families! I think my parents visited almost once a month the past year and always insist Melvin and I get some time to ourselves to go for dinner. Hah we don't always accept as we don't want to miss out on any Charlotte time either!! My little 6lbs baby has grown into a 17lbs toddler and I wouldn't have things any other way! I always planned to go back to work, and I do feel a little guilty at times, but I'm not the first woman to tackle the working mom role and I won't be the last!! I can't wait to see what this year brings and how much we grow as a family (by that I DO NOT mean with another baby...)

I leave you now with Charlotte's first picture that I have on my blackberry and one that was taking last week on our way to the Doctor's for her 1 year appointment!!

It's been too long!!

I can't believe I have posted anything in almost 3 months!! My friend Lisa started a blog today over at http://torontofitmom.wordpress.com/, and her post inspired me to get back in the saddle!!
What's been going on?
Well, I went to Mexico the first week of March with the Body Conditionning by Dancers group. Check out our fearless leader Eva Redpath here http://www.evaredpath.com/ There was 16 of us (all women) and we had a blast. We would wake up every morning for poolside yoga at 6:30 am, have breakfast, hang by the pool and then meet up for Beach Bootcamp at 11, have lunch and back to the pool, end the day with a run on the beach or around the resort, shower and supper. Now that doesn't sound like fun to everyone I'm sure, but it was a great experience! We also did some self developpment/transformation work while sipping on some exotic juice or coffee. Thankfully, Charlotte was in great hands! Melvin took a few days off work and my mom came down to spend most of the week with her. I think everything had a blast!
A few days after I got back, my dad and grandma arrived and we had a small party to celebrate Charlotte's 1st Birthday!! I stressed so much for her cake, ended up making a boxed PC Organic cake which my mom expertly iced just for Char not to have any interest in it at all!!
Last week, Charlotte started transitionning to day care! Today was her 4th "day"and she was there for morning snack, walk and lunch. Wednesday we add on nap and Friday is a full day. Then it's back to work for me and full time day care for her! People keep saying to me "ohhh she's going to daycare????" and they make it sound like the saddest thing ever! I was always planning on going back to work, and we didn't want to go the nanny route. I did alot of research on day cares and I can see how much fun Charlotte and the other kids have. The women are great and super friendly. Yes, I'm sad to leave her, but I'm leaving her in a great place where she will thrive and make new friends!
While she's there, I'm getting organized for back to work!! I needed a new wardrobe and I really want to have our meals planned for the week so suppers are easy peasy. We also bring our lunches, so I need that to be ready the night before! Any suggestions are welcome!!
That's all for now, I'm off to portion the chicken breasts I bought today.
I will be posting more often I promise!!!

Home Sweet Home!

Well the holidays are over and here we are. Back home in Toronto and still no snow!
We decided to drive the whole way back without breaking it up. Charlotte was pretty good, had a few rough spots, but we all made it!

The new year usually means new year resolutions. I have a few this year:
1: Get back to eating healthy, for real! We are pretty good most of the time, but I know we can eat better! Charlotte eats everything healthy and I know she doesn't understand yet, but I want to make sure we are good role models for her as she gets older
2: Get our house organized, for real! We've lived here for a year and half. I was pregnant when we moved, and then it was Christmas, then it was time to do the baby's room, then Charlotte was born. We have come a long way, but again, we have a long way to go! We have started a list of things that need to be done and we will get them done!

I can't believe it's already January, that means I have to go back to work in just a few short months, literally since February is a short month - I know, it's only a day, but at this point, every day counts! I have a new manager at work, and I've been emailing her this morning to confirm my start date! I go through waves of excitement and sadness! But I know I'm not the first woman to do this and I won't be the last!

Melvin and I got quite a few new gadgets over the holidays. As I mentioned before the sales were pretty good! I plan on trying them all out and blogging about it in my next post!

My next challenge is to start weaning Charlotte. She is mostly sleeping through the night, but she wakes up anywhere between 5-6am, eats for maybe 2-3 minutes and goes back to sleep for 1.5 hours. That's good when she doesn't wake up until 6, but up for the day at 630 is tough!! Since I know it's a complete comfort feed, we will get rid of that first and then start dropping one feed a week and replace it with a bottle. She likes the bottle so it shouldn't be too hard.We will keep the morning feed for last. Updates to follow!!