So I wanted to go back to work; I was even looking forward to it with the giddy anticipation one generally equates with one's first day of school. It seems in my year or so of maternity leave, I have forgotten a few things.

Going to work actually implies GETTING UP to go to work, as in an alarm (although the Lolo did the trick), as in actually getting out of bed relatively quickly, as in managing to have a shower at a reasonable time and not when the Lolo permits it, as in finding something to wear (actually having to iron a pair of trousers), as in brushing my hair and trying to look presentable, as in driving at rush hour and paying for parking, as in not having time for breakfast... *sigh* What was I thinking?

On the plus side: Hubby sent me a huge bouquet of flowers to celebrate my first day. I was there for one day and am home again today and tomorrow. I got a spiffy new laptop with a docking station *grin* so that I can actually work at home and at the office (although they actually gave it to me so that I could work on those 4 1/2 hour train rides to Toronto that I am going to be taking for my project which has yet to start.)

Also the nanny is working out great. The Lolo did not even notice I was gone and was not particularly distraught when I returned. It was a case of "Mummy, you're back! I'm going to play now." or in Lolo speak "Da da ya ya da da da" (still no mamas, you will notice).

Today, we had Mother Goose in the morning and laundry. The nanny came at one and I actually managed to get four solid hours of work in the basement. So I think my plan to work at home part time will work out fine. I am, at present, thinking it will be a relief not for the baby or the reduced commute but simply for saving me from the hell that finding something to wear is turning out to be. After nearly two years of not buying any clothes (pregnancy and maternity leave), my wardrobe is a little on the "I HAVE NO CLOTHES" side.

I start work on Monday. Yikes.

I am sort of excited and also nervous. It feels like the first day of school. I have been back in the office several times so I sort of have a feel for the lay of land. New faces, old ones, changes, etc. I will be doing very different work this time. No more travels up to the Arctic or crazy do not "miss the boat" deadlines, which when doing Arctic construction work is quite a literal statement. Either the materials make it on the boat or no building occurs.

The babysitter will be coming in and next week will be the interesting test of whether the Lolo will be her usual cheerful self when left alone with someone other than Mummy for a whole day. She has been left alone only once and it went well. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I plan to work from home on Tuesdays and Fridays, and to be perfectly honest, I am looking forward to those days when I will be home and not taking care of the Lolo. I have a huge list of projects that need to be completed or started (all non work related, of course). I am really hoping that my work load will be light enough at the beginning that I can do all this other stuff. So really, I am looking forward to going back to work to have some money to pay the babysitter so that I can complete my non-work related stuff.

On a completely non-related topic, we have decided to go to New Brunswick to Hubby's sister for Christmas. This means 10 1/2 hours in the car with the Lolo, who hates cars. I think we are a little insane, but we could not find Aeroplan tickets (ie free on points) and can't afford to buy plane or train tickets (over $1000). So off on an adventure we will go, as Hubby says. I point out that it will be an adventure whether we want it to be or not. Earplugs will be required.

Hubby has added the nickname "Crocadilla" to the Lolo repertoire. He thinks her new teeth are rather amusing; being the one still breastfeeding her, I have a slightly more painful view on the subject and "Saber-tooth Lolo" seems more appropriate. Must wean NOW.

I finaly got the last of the chapters to be beta'd done and sent...
I had a little backlog going and was feeling a little guilty.

The baptism went really well and all the hosting of lunches and dinners were accomplished with tasty foods eaten by all. Relief and tiredness followed, of course. I am still tired, but that is life.

I went into work yesterday and we discussed my return - still no date set but I know what I will be working on. It is a HUGE project - the client wants it done by March. I laughed and said NO WAY - and really truly no way, even if I gave up my life (which I have no intention of doing) it is impossible to get all the work done by then no matter the size of the team I would have. When a client is still in the process of defining their program and their needs, there is no way we can complete what is asked. I think (hope) that our offer of services points that out, diplomatically, of course.

It was exciting being at work and I don't feel too guity. Lolo was left with her nany for the whole day (8h30 to 4) for the first time. She seems to have had a ball and I walked into the living room and thought that she had aged a year. It occured to me that she is no longer a baby but almost a toddler (or a little person, as my husband says). She looked older all of a sudden - where on earth has that year gone to?

I confirmed my plans and got the official OK - I can work from home for 2 days a week (yeah!). And I may not have to buy a new computer. If I am going to be doing the HUGE project, I will need a laptop - so I asked for one and it looks like I will get it.

I have to write eventually about my cleaning lady adventures... I feel odd having one, but 3 stepkids, baby, hubby, and work = HELP!

I have been on a high since I last posted. That little bit of work I got done when the nanny was here was followed by a couple more little bits of work, and my mood has been incredibly (annoyingly perhaps tp the rest of the family) upbeat. I have finally gotten my creativity started again, and it feels like a profound renewal of my whole being is taking place.

I worked on the house plans of a friend of mine (I have been promising them for ages) and I am rather pleased with the results. AND I finally figured out how to add a second bathroom to our upstairs - a master's suite. This will, of course, be done when we win the lottery, but nonetheless, I already picture it in it's full glory and am fine tuning it for the fateful day when it will get done.

Hubby is rather amused by my chipper-ness and in typical Hubby fashion comments: You are just happy because you figured out a way to pee in our bedroom.

Somehow the glorious-ness of my triumph over a rather difficult design problem and the greatness of my solution (if I may say so myself) is now reduced to having found a way to pee in our bedroom. My creativity will NOT be stifled. I must now work on my Christmas cards. Fortunatly, nanny comes on Monday for a few hours.

Other creative attempts and Hubby comments:
The youngest of my step-kids, aged 12, is learning how to play the tenor clarinet (not her choice). It is a rather huge instrument which in theory can make a nice sound, but at the moment is rather painful to listen to. She is trying quite hard, so I have no doubt that her perseverance will pay off. The Lolo seems to like her playing enough to echo whatever noise the instrument makes. It is really funny to see the baby sitting there imitating an instrument twice her size. Hubby, in his brilliancy, comments again that when Lolo decides to be a vet specializing in sick hippos, we will know when the inspiration was planted.

Forunetly, we all rather love his silliness and as he points out on a regular basis, I should have caught on before I married him. Now it is too late!