From Work to Home

This upcoming weekend marks a significant change for me, for the family and for the company. I will be hiring my replacement and "retiring" to Homemaker. It was somewhat unexpected. Yet, as AG continues to grow and develop, we are all becoming aware that she needs to be exposed to more than just the office!

I think I have been more ready for this than I could have realized. The guilt of containing an active and inquisitive one-year-old has been immense. Tension among the family has grown as we all struggle with limited resources to achieve lofty goals. And, life has seemed rather bland with Sweetie and I involved in all the same events; we aren't stimulating each other much.

Yet, work for the past year especially, has been incredible in so many ways. One skill I did not have previously, is a presence of mind under stress. I have discovered how essential it is that I have all my "ducks in a row" before venturing into uncertain territory. Most importantly, I am learning how to set boundaries.

AG has no idea how amazing life is about to get for her. We have been fortunate to join a play group most weeks. With time less pressed I expect to be able to include her in more of my daily tasks and projects. Planting flowers? Sure we can spend time letting you play with the trowel and learning all the coordination that comes along with digging! Even now, she surprises me with the skills she can grasp after one or two repetitions. I can't fathom how quickly she is going to blossom when she can explore and experiment freely.

Certain enjoyable aspects of our lives have taken a back seat-many are in the nosebleed section-and I am looking forward to bringing them back to the forefront. Decorating, good cooking, gardening, and other creative outlets have been severely lacking. Sweetie and I both have deep creative tendencies. No matter how important the job, there will come a time that you must satisfy the soul. With this opportunity, that time has come.

And sleep... never before motherhood did I appreciate sleep. Enjoy it? Maybe. Appreciate its value? Not a chance. AG and I may take more than our share of naps together the first few weeks we are home.

While the needs of a toddler (not so much a baby anymore!), family, and home will take significant portions of energy, I am looking forward to exploring new skills and personality developments free of constraints.

Here's to transplanting home!