Back to work...

So being back to work a few days a week has worked out fine so far. Fine in the sense that Annie has had some issues but they were expected. The past two nights (I have worked the past two days), she has woken up crying and calling for both of us. Last night (after a full day of work for me) was particularly sad as she had trouble settling and wouldn't take any comfort from us at first. The second screaming wake up, Annie allowed me to physically comfort her immediately and she went back to sleep. All I have to say is, thank goodness her toddler bed is still in our room beside our bed!!!! Annie and her Dad have had some fun days together and when they came to pick me up last night, she ran into my office yelling "Mommie, Mommie, Mommie", jumped into my arms and held on tight for QUITE a while. It was WONDERFUL!!!!! We were all smiles, hugs and kisses and the people at work were enamoured of course!! Annie is a beautiful girl!! So, it seems to be ok and since this is a very part time contract position, I think it will be a good thing. I have to say though, it is very strange for me. Having spent ten years in the position and I was very rarely sick, it felt like old times, just walking back into my office. It really isn't MY office but it hasn't changed that much!!!!!!!! I also have a renewed creative energy and when I left I was burning out so it is great to be able to come back and do some neat fun things. The reason I chose this career path was because of this fact. The welcome I received from the staff was pretty amazing too!! Everyone made me feel so welcome with hugs and kind words. Anyway, I just wanted to post to say Annie and had a little bit of a breakthrough last night at bedtime. Annie hates being by herself. It really frightens her. When she is having a hard day, even being in a room by herself can upset her. So, last night we were talking about me going to work and Daddy going to work and the fact that even though each of us works, the other one is ALWAYS with her. I told Annie that either her Mommie or her Daddy are never very far from her EVER. I could tell she was processing this fact by the changing looks on her face and then she gave me a HUGE bear hug. I have to say however, it is a challenge on a marriage to practice our type of attachment parenting BUT it is so worth it. When I feel a little sad about it, Shawn and I talk and remind ourselves that we only have a short window to build this relationship with our daughter. Soon enough, she won't be very interested in hanging out with us. We had almost twenty years together before she came into our lives and everything must shift and change. It is amazing to have a partner who is willing to do this but it wasn't easy to get here. Believe me, we have had our challenges but again what is more worth a few personal sacrifices then belonging to a warm and loving family who supports you through everything!!!! Oh and Annie's latest activity is paper cutting. We tried the kid's scissors but they just didn't work for her so she uses adult scissors and does wonderfully. She has had a long time obsession with tape and the tape has now been added to the paper cutting, folding and drawing. I must say, Annie is a talented girl and I love getting my little notes taped and rolled up in paper. Oh and Annie has so much control with those scissors she is able to make tiny cuts on strips of paper that we turn into little hula skirts for her dolls. So fun!!!!!!!