Back to Work

So I'm starting back at work on Thursday, October 23. I'll be doing half days until the 29th and then back to full time on the 30th. For the past week, as it's dawned on me that my leave is ending, I've had such mixed emotions. One minute I'm excited to go back and get caught up on everything I've missed and start planning for the future. Then Evie will look at me and smile and coo and I just can't imagine leaving her! I feel like there is so much in her day I am going to miss... Who would've thought that one little person could be my whole world?!

However, I love my job and the people I work with and can't imagine walking away from it at this time. Besides, I feel strongly that continuing to work sets an example for my daughter that, yes, women can be mothers and also great at their jobs. I think it is important for her to be around other adults and children and to learn to be comfortable in their care. I'm very confident that her caregiver will take very good care of her while I'm away. She is a mother of two herself (one just a few months older than Evie), she nurses her son, and she is just generally very sweet, patient and nurturing. I feel that Evie will be in very good hands, which is a big relief and will make this transition much easier. I will let you know how it goes...

7:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.!!!!!

Last night was the first time Evie slept all the way through the night!! I put her down at 7:30 p.m. and she didn't wake up again until 5:00 a.m. this morning! I was so excited I couldn't go back to sleep after that, but I actually go 7 straight hours of sleep for the first time since she was born! We're hoping there will be a repeat performance tonight :-)

Ready for my first Halloween!

Busy, busy, busy!!

Grandpa's got me!


Jacob loves to play with his cousin "E" (as he calls her).


Jacob made "binoculars" at school


Chillin' at Aunt Kim's house


Grammy Mallard loooves me!!

After our trip to Apollo Beach/Cocoa Beach, Blake had to go to Jacksonville for some training. My dad (Grandpa Kornegay) came to stay with me and Evie to keep us company, and we had a lovely week.

Then, Evie and I took off for Atlanta on October 7 to see my sister, Kim and her family for a few days. Evie's cousins were absolutely smitten with her, and she seemed to enjoy them as well, smiling and laughing when they would talk to her.

We returned home on October 10 and the next day, Evie's Grammy Mallard came to see her. She was nice enough to babysit for us on the 11th so Blake and I could go out to eat and see a movie, our first real date since she was born. We've both come down with colds, so are thankful to have her here to help us out this week.

I'm planning to go back to work on October 23rd, do a week of half days (8-noon) and then start back full time on the 30th. I'm excited and sad all at the same time. I love my job and the people I work with, but know I will miss my little girl terribly. Thankfully, we have a wonderful babysitter lined up so that is one worry off my mind. It will be another big adjustment, but we will get through it!

2 Month Check Up

Today was Evie's 2 month check up. She weighed in at 10 lbs, 6 oz and 22" long! Dr. Martin and I had a long conversation about all the media attention on the supposed link between vaccinations and autism, and we both were of the opinion that, at least at this time, there is not enough evidence supporting this link for people to stop vaccinating their children. I feel Evie is at a much greater risk of contracting measles or polio than of getting autism from the vaccination.

That being said, it was not fun watching my little one get her shots. She was all smiling and happy, but as soon as they pricked her thigh, her little face turned bright red, and I've never heard that cry from her before! About broke my heart. She was pretty tired and fussy the rest of the day so I gave her her bath and nursed her and rocked her to sleep a little early tonight.

She was up every 2-3 hours last night, which she hasn't done in a while, so I'm hoping she'll go back to her usual long stretch (4-6 hours) followed by 3-4 hour stretches. Or, even better, maybe she'll just sleep through the night! A girl can dream...

Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Sept. 26-28

At the Kennedy Space Center


Saturn 5 rocket (the one that sent man to the moon). VERY cool!


Blake with the White Rhino at the Brevard Zoo.


Big fat gator at the zoo. Evie looks worried...


Pooped after a day of sightseeing.

After our visit to Apollo Beach, Blake, Evie and I drove over to the Cocoa Beach area for some sight seeing. We visited the Kennedy Space Center and the Brevard Zoo and ate some yummy seafood at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. Evie did great at the hotel, the first time she'd slept in her Pack 'n' Play. Though it was quick, we very much enjoyed our first family vacation :-)

Apollo Beach Sept. 24 & 25

On September 24, we drove down to visit Blake's parents and brother in Apollo Beach. Evie loved their home, especially their screened in back patio and pool. This was also the first time she met her Uncle Ken, who was smitten with his new niece.