Still here!

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I am still here. But still busy.

We spent the weekend in North Dakota. Juliet slept almost the entire drive (it took us about 7 hours each way) with the exception of stopping to eat once. We relaxed and hung out with Erik's relatives all weekend and Juliet met a bunch of her aunts and uncles. Her sleep has been off since the trip and with me going back to work and I hope it gets better soon. This momma is very tired.

I have some of the cutest photos from our trip to post and I really really really hope to write a North Dakota post it tonight. In the meantime, here is an instagram pic of my little sweetie.

Being back to work is a teeny, tiny bit easier this week but I still got teary after I dropped her off at my mom's house yesterday. She is so smiley and happy in the mornings and I am sad to miss spending more time with her. BUT, I know grandma and Juliet has fun together and I still get my time in the evenings...and I know it will continue to get easier in time.

I make the weekends count more than ever and am planning a fun Saturday with my little girl...we are going to the farmer's market and then to mommy/baby yoga. Can't wait!

Back to work

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{Juliet and I on a walk on a gorgeous day on one of the last days of my maternity leave}

Today is my fourth day back to work. The week has been a bit of a whirlwind. Emotional. Busy.

The transition back to work has been hard.

I really miss Juliet. But...the actual work part is pretty good. As I'm driving into work in the mornings sometimes I think it feels like I was never really gone. My coworkers are great and it's so good to see them again on a daily basis. I've done a project or two that has been fun and reminds me I like advertising and media. I have a job I enjoy, which makes me really lucky. I pump three times a day which I've come to realize is such a huge commitment. Of course it's worth it because breastfeeding Juliet has been one of the most rewarding and bonding aspects about being her momma. But pumping is a little lonely and just reminds me that I'm not with my baby.

 Juliet has been with Erik's mom this week, she is staying with us and it has helped us tremendously. I don't have to worry about dropping Juliet off anywhere and she gets to be within the comforts of her home. Grandma Karen dotes on her all day and I can tell they are having fun.  This has helped the transition a lot and I am so grateful.

 I know it gets easier each day so within the next few weeks I'm sure this will be the new normal. Juliet still has a late bedtime, she doesn't go to sleep until about 9-9:30 so that means I get at least 3 hours with her each evening, which I cherish. I can't imagine when she starts going to bed earlier.

Which all brings me to say...it's been so hard finding time to blog. I'm so exhausted by the time Juliet goes to bed that I go to sleep at the same time. So blogging has definitely taken a back seat. I really hope I can get back into it because I have so many posts in my head waiting to be documented. Juliet turning 3 months (she is such a big girl, I can't believe it!), the birth story is almost written and I have a couple amazing days that I want to share during the final weeks of my maternity leave (a day spent in Uptown Minneapolis with Erik and Juliet and a fabulous lunch and walk around the lake with my BFF Kristin). So stay tuned for, what I think is, a lot of good stuff.

Working moms, I'd love any advice you have on how to make this transition easier or anything in general that you think may help.

A Mother's Day picnic

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Mother's Day was idyllic.  We had a picnic in our backyard with my family.  The weather was perfection and we sat on blankets and ate good food and lots of desserts.  My little sweetie was super happy all day, mesmerized by the trees and sky.

Here she is saying "momma, please stop with the pictures!".
A cute girlie and a picnic basket.  I caught a little smile!
Our picnic set up.
Family photos with a fussy baby.  This was the only 30 seconds she was fussy all day.  I should have tried again for better photos but totally forgot.

My sis and bro chilling on the blanket with Juliet.
Pretty tulips from Erik and Juliet.
Erik and his girlie napping on the blanket.
We kept our picnic lunch super easy with sandwiches, quinoa salad, chips and fruit.
I bought a Boston Cream Pie because it's my mom's favorite.
My brother Joel brought cupcakes.
My momma opening her Mother's Day gift and Juliet with her grandpa.
My mom, Juliet and I celebrating Mother's Day together.

I will be slowly coming back to more regular blog posts within the next week or so.  My goal will be 2-3 posts a week.  I go back to work Monday and the anticipation has been really hard.  Juliet will be with her grandma so I know that she'll have constant snuggles and love all day.  I'll just miss her so much.  But I'm lucky in that I like my job a lot and my my bosses and colleagues have already shown so much support and I haven't even come back yet.  My bosses are making sure my workload is manageable and they are throwing me a little welcome breakfast on my first day back.  Pretty great, huh?

Mother's day

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Sweet Juliet, thank you for making me a momma. These past few months have been some of the greatest of my life...getting to know you and falling so much in love with you. You are beginning to smile when you see me, especially when I come in after your naps. You love our afternoon walks and just stare and stare up at the sky and trees with your big, beautiful, buggy eyes. Your favorite thing is breastfeeding, and you do it often. One day, a couple months ago breastfeeding was no longer a challenge and now is just relaxing, bonding time for you and I. I love you silly girl.

Mom, thank you for being the wonderful, amazing mom you've always been. Because of you I know exactly how to be the best momma I can be to to Juliet. I've loved our Tuesday walks and hanging out with Chloe and Juliet during my maternity leave. You are a wonderful grandma and Juliet is very lucky.

Karen, thanks for being a fabulous mother to Erik and a fun, loving grandma to Juliet. Thanks for all the hundreds of gifts, Juliet is one spoiled little girl.

Erik and I and my family are having a picnic in our backyard to celebrate Mother's Day. A BYOB picnic (bring your own blanket). Yes, I'm being serious. Oh, how times have changed. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommas out there! Enjoy your day with your little sweeties.

A little break

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I'm taking a little break from blogging for a bit. How long?  I'm not sure. I might still post this week but posting will definitely be infrequent. 

I go back to work exactly two weeks from today and from now until then I plan on spending every single second with Juliet. I don't want any obligations taking me away from time with her, which includes blogging. We've spent the entire past 12 weeks in a perma-snuggle, it's been the best 3 months of my life and I am teary thinking about it ending so soon.

I hope you understand! Check back from time to time and I'll be back to posting regularly in a couple weeks.

MS Walk

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For the second year, Erik and I are walking in the MS Walk on Sunday in honor of my mom. She has lived with MS for 27 years. She's amazing and strong and is able to walk further and longer than I can.

I'd so appreciate if you would consider donating to the cause. 

If it's nice Juliet will be sporting her cool shades for the stroller ride. Click here for my donation page, any amount helps and I would be truly thankful for your support. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Spring strawberry salad

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When I saw this salad on Oh She Glows blog I knew I needed to make it. And I did, that same day. Luckily I had almost all the needed ingredients, with the exception of a lemon. So I hauled ass to Target, because why not, I go there almost everyday anyway.

My friends Kristin and Libby came over for dinner club and we had this salad, pizza and some cheese as appetizers. I added goat cheese to the salad (Oh She Glows blog is vegan, so no cheese in the original recipe) and it was tasty. The best part was the strawberry lemon basil dressing. Click here for the recipe on Oh She Glows blog.

Easy tea sandwiches

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Tea sandwiches are a great appetizer for any event. I made these for a gathering with my family on Sunday and they were a big hit. And they are so easy. Like stupid easy. You can make them fancier by using Boursin cheese or add herbs to cream cheese but they taste great with plain cream cheese, too. They are cuter than cute as well, aren't they? Radish and cucumber tea sandwiches

Ingredients

10 slices bread (white, rye, whole grain, or pumpernickle, etc), cut into fourths
4 oz. cream cheese
2 tablespoons fresh dill
2 bunches radishes, sliced
1 english cucumber, sliced
Salt and pepper

Preparation

Arrange bread on a serving platter, top with cream cheese. Place radish slices on half the bread and cucumber slices on the rest. Top with dill, salt and pepper.