Work/Life Balance...Is Hard

First, my company is awesome at helping with this.  Just wanted to throw that disclaimer out there since I'm friends with co-workers on FB :)

Going back to work was hard.  After spending 6 full months with Zoe, I didn't want to leave her.  Did I need a break once in a while for just "me" time?  Yes.  But did I want 40+ hours away from her?  No, if I'm being honest.  I realize I was extremely fortunate to have those full 6 months and still have a job to go back to.  We had a lot of saving to do before my maternity leave, but it was so worth it in the end.  We made it through the colic and anxiety (me not Zoe), got through to the "happy" side :), and still had a few months to enjoy. 

Six months into this journey, I had to go back.  Staying at home wasn't an option for us.  And I do believe that interaction with other kids and adults is good for her (or maybe I tell myself that because I can't stay at home...).  Thankfully, my work has a Tailored Work Arrangement program for parents and I was given free reign on what I could do.  You may think, "that's great!"  Except, how do you pick something when you have so many choices and have no idea what will work for you?  I was overwhelmed to say the least.  I talked to several women partners and associates who either are currently doing a TWA or did one in the past to get some ideas.  And most of them have done several different things.  I kind of pieced together what I thought would work for me and came up with my new arrangement.

I've reduced my hours to just over 43 a week (yes, in the accounting world, 40 hours is not a standard work week - although is it anywhere anymore?).  It came with it's consequences but getting to see Zoe before work, pick her up from daycare, and work from home on Fridays has been very much worth it. 

It took a while, but we finally got into our new "normal."  I have my schedule down pretty well for cleaning and laundry and grocery shopping.  Zoe is in bed by 7:30-8pm so that leaves plenty of time in the evenings to get other random stuff done as well.  I just have to make sure to soak up every ounce of those 2 hours we have after work before she goes to bed.  She's 11 months old and crazy as can be - crawling everywhere, wanting to walk but needing help, eating her favorite foods like a champ, throwing her toys everywhere, reading her books OVER and OVER and OVER (I have Llama Llama memorized), talking in her own language and sometimes using her demon voice as Aaron has dubbed it.  Running around with her can be exhausting, but it's SO MUCH FUN.  I get to relive my childhood through her and actually remember it all :)

We're now in the heart of our busy season which has had it's challenges.  I can't stay late just any day anymore.  I have to coordinate with Aaron to make sure it works in his schedule.  And since I can't do it often, I try to make those days count which means I'm staying until after 8pm.  Which means I don't get to see Zoe.  So far, I've only been doing it one night a week so it's doable.  But I miss her.  And it makes for a busy night when I get home trying to eat, and get things around for the next day and get to bed at a decent time since I'm up at 6am.  And throw in that I'm now trying to squeeze in a few hours when I'm home either when Zoe's in bed for the night or napping on the weekends makes for one tired mamma. 

Is it October 15 yet?  I keep joking with everyone that for better or worse, we have less than 15 days left.  That's what I keep telling myself.

And because no post is right without a picture of Zoe...