To Be with Hannah

Since going back to work after maternity leave, I didn't feel one way or another about staying home or continuing to work. So, since no decision was the easy and less final decision, I went back to work and have been working since. Leading up to about a month ago, I hadn't ever felt at peace about leaving work to stay home. 

I definitely had days I literally texted Seth, “Can I be done now,” but I was never truly ready to take the plunge. So in the last several of months, I have been praying that the Lord would make it clear if I should stay or should go. I thought to myself, if work is just really hard, that will be my sign to go.

The last three months, it’s been hard.

On top of work being crazy and my reduced commute not being all I hoped, we had just moved and were getting ready for Hannah’s first birthday/housewarming party. When work is crazy and home is crazy, there is no break. There was little time to truly focus on the small amount of time I actually did have with Hannah. It’s been stressful, and I don’t get stressed easily.

My one saving grace at work is that I haven’t had to fill any positions in my department. I have seen other areas struggling to get things done even more because they have been short staffed. Thankfully I have been able to get out the door, though sans a lunch break, close to my scheduled end time.

Then a month ago, one of my subordinates resigned.

I knew immediately when she told me. I knew that it was time to be “done,” and it was the first time I ever felt peace about it. Granted, what I intended to do was first request going part-time, but I was finally ready to walk if part-time was not feasible.

Days later I told my boss that through prayer and various circumstance, it became clear that I need to spend more time with my family. Because of the staffing needs in the department, I asked to be considered for a part-time position. Otherwise, I would work out a schedule until the proper replacements were made. I knew that as a manager, I could not work part-time in my current position.

My timing wasn't great in that my boss was leaving for a two week business trip. Nonetheless, upon her return she worked the the appropriate executive and HR channels and two weeks ago I found out a part-time position was approved. 

So, this is my last full week of work. On Mondays and Thursdays, I will "just" be mommy. To God be the glory.

A Hootin' Halloween

So I decided to go DIY with Hannah's Halloween costume and thought it turned out pretty well. Check out my picture tutorial. Happy Hootin' Halloween!

10 Things

1. If I play with you on the floor, you pause what you are doing every few minutes to come give me a hug. Although you are affectionate, you need your space when you're upset after getting hurt.

2. A few weeks ago, Seth and I were in the kitchen while you were playing in the living room (or so we thought). It suddenly got quiet so we came looking for you. We found you in the bathroom, looking innocent, until we noticed your wooden groceries in the garbage can...wet. There was only one way that happened. We didn't know whether to be disgusted or impressed.

3. You stood up from the ground unassisted and went right into a walk for the first time (with complete ease) on Tuesday (October 15).

4. You are shy at first when you are around new people. You are perfectly capable of standing and walking, for example, but you curl up your legs when you're around new people and I'm trying to set you down. When at the park and other kids come playing, you freeze your activity and will sit and watch them for as long as I let you. When the kids get nearby, you quietly and shyly say, "hi".

5. You are a brave girl when it comes to slides. Day #2 going down slides at the park you could do it all by yourself.

6. You are a Mama's girl. If I am in close proximity you will reach for me, even if Dada has you. While true, you say Dada much more than Mama. "Mama" takes some prompting. (Side note, today was a hard day leaving you to go to work. You know the routine, and are sad even before I have to say goodbye. Needless to say, I was late for work since I squeezed in extra hugs.)

7. You have become quite opinionated. You used to be much more easy going but have come to understand and make use of the word "no," which you say firmly like a German.

8. You mimic well, and that's why I think you're so smart and verbal. I particularly like having yelling wars. You even yell when you watch the video of you with Waylon on his birthday. And yesterday,while reading one of your colors books, you said "car" for the first time!

9. Speaking of Waylon, you have a minor obsession with him. All day long we hear "Way Way, Way Way." You know there are pictures on Dada's iPad and Mama's phone of Waylon, so every time you see them we always hear "Way Way, Way Way" and you reach up for us to pick you up to show you pictures of your Way Way.

10. You are a rock star sleeper. Only once in our new home, two days in, have you woken up in the middle of the night. You are so easy to put down, and you're still taking two solid naps (8:45 AM for approximately two hours and 2:30 PM for over two hours). 

Hannah's 1st Birthday/Housewarming Party

With Hannah's birthday just days after we moved into our new home and anticipating a house-warming party in the foreseeable future, we decided to combine the two by postponing Hannah's 1st birthday bash by a month.

After scrambling to get the house all unpacked but no attempt made to fill all the empty room, the party was held on Saturday, October 4. 

Of course no party is complete without the Miller/Morrow clan. The Minnesota gang came in two days prior to help get things ready (and do some pre-party partying). So here are some pics from the few days prior.

Helping open your gifts is what cousins are for, right?

Hannah loves her Papa.

Party Day!

Special thanks to Maria and Dana!

Learned Paint.NET and the difference a chalkboard pen can make.  

I steal all my ideas from Pinterest.

Babies and babies and more babies! Keep em' coming!

Ofalia Rose and Hannah Rose with their mommies.

Grill master on his new grill.

Three gens

Sisters

With my Ignite girls!

Grammy & grandpa with the three grandchildren for the first time!

Let's really get this party started.

You'll get it on your own next time.

Always so good at sharing.

Hannah couldn't decide who she loved more, Steve or Jonny.

Hannah's very own classic Radio Flyer (for now)!

Rides with Hunter

The new parents!

What are you kids getting into? Oh, it's just root beer.

BFF's

Christmas Card Photo Option #1

Christmas Card Photo Option #2

We had such a great time celebrating Hannah and sharing our new home. And the rain held off just long enough for most to finish their meal inside or out! Seth and I decided however, we never want do this again. Never want and never will though, are two different things.