Back at Work

This past week I went back to work.  It wasn't even actually a full week.  It was 4 days...but that was definitely long enough!  :(

While it was nice to get out of the house and see my coworkers and feel the anticipation (and STRESS) of a brand new school year, I've really been having a hard time being away from Abigail.  In the morning, I get up and get all of my things ready for work (including my breast pump), then I wake Abbie up to feed her.  After feeding her, Michael takes her to get changed while I get dressed for work.  Once I'm ready, I hold her for a few more minutes until I need to leave.  That's when my stomach starts to churn and feels like it's twisted in knots.  Goodbyes typically last several minutes.  I tell her to be a good girl while I'm away and that I'll be back soon.  Once I hand her over, I shed a few tears and get my things and start walking out the door.  Michael's so sweet and knows that I need to give her one more hug and a kiss, so he calls me back into the house to say goodbye one more time.  That's basically how every morning has been.  While I'm at work, I'm constantly thinking about her.  There have been even times when I start to feel physically ill because I miss her so much.  I have the constant feeling that a piece of me is missing.  I hear that it'll get easier....and I'm hoping so.  But for now, it just sucks being away from her.

Thankfully, though, I know that she's in very very good hands.  This past week she was either with her dad, or with her Grammy.  I can't even express how thankful I am that they text me often and even send pictures to show me that Abigail is having fun and being taken care of.  Michael even sent me a little video of her playing and smiling.  Helps to put me a little at ease because it makes me feel like she's not too far away.

As soon as I got to work on the first day, I got this texted to me. :)

After work yesterday, I found this on the counter.  :)

How sweet!  :)
...they're definitely worth everything I do and more.

It's been tough, but I know I can do this.  Also, I'm thinking that once school officially starts on Monday, the students will definitely occupy most of my attention, so hopefully my day will go by faster.  Here's to a productive new school year!

It's Never Too Early...

...to start learning the alphabet!  :)

A....is for Abigail! 

Daddy helps her to trace the letters while he makes the sounds

Of course, we really don't expect her to really learn the letters now, but why not start exposing her to it, right?  After she eats, Abigail is very alert and playful...so today, after she finished eating and was changed, Michael pulled out the alphabet phonics cards.   Abbie paid attention and smiled at the different letter sounds.  So cute!

Michael's first Father's Day

Yesterday, to celebrate Michael's first Father's Day, we went with my family to Orange Hill for their Champagne Brunch.  It's a really nice fine dining restaurant on top of a hill that overlooks most of Orange County.  That was actually also the restaurant where Michael proposed to me five years ago.  Their food is really good, and brunch yesterday was no exception!  Their brunch is a buffet, and they had so many things, I don't even think we got to try half of what they had.  My family and I had been there before for their brunch for my brother's 21st birthday, but yesterday was Michael's first time going for brunch.  I'm so glad he loved it.  Also...Abigail was sooo good the whole time we were eating.  She slept for most of it, and when she woke up, she just sat there very quietly looking around and staring at her toys that hang off of her carrier.  Such a good girl!  :)

Afterwards, we all went to Forest Lawn in Cypress to visit my dad and brought some fresh flowers to put on his grave.  While we were there, we also visited my Uncle Gerry's grave.  He had passed away just last May, a victim of cancer.  Then my family and my Uncle Gerry's family came over to my mom's house, where we all just hung out for a while.

Michael originally was scheduled to work because his request to be off was denied...so he called out.  It was  a good day, and I'm so glad that we got to spend it together.  

Daddy and Abbie <3

All Smiles :)

I'm not sure when the first time Abigail smiled.  As far as I remember, she has always smiled.  Even in one of the last memories I have with my dad-- he was visiting me in the hospital after having given birth to her, and he told me that she already knows how to smile.  I replied "No...it's probably just gas."

But no...actually, I don't think it's gas anymore.  My dad must have been right, because she does smile.  All the time, actually!  She smiles when she's sleeping.  She smiles when she wakes up and sees me.  She smiles when she hears music she likes.  She's just really a happy baby, I guess! :)

Anyways, this morning before her Daddy went to work, they were chatting...and I was able to capture this picture.  SUPER CUTE, right?!

Abigail loves her Daddy :)