"Basket Time"

Last week was my first week back at work. Although I was very sad to go back, and my house is not as "picked up" as I would like for it to be, I'm handling it MUCH better than I thought I would. Instead of focusing on what needs to be put away, vacuumed, or washed, I focus on her when I get home. I know that in 30 years... she won't care about or remember the dishes that are currently in my sink, not to mention the other stuff that is "littering" the house.

My mom is keeping Ayla, which accounts for much of my being put at ease. I literally wake her up as I'm walking out the door to then drive her on my lap and down the gravel road to hand her off to my mom. Unless I have milk to bring along with me, I take nothing but Ayla with sleepy eyes, still in her pajamas. I know that if I were in any other situation, my anxiety level would be so much greater. I am very blessed to have the situation I do, and focusing on that has also helped me keep things in perspective. I know Ayla is with someone who loves her just as much as I do and that is invaluable. :+] Although I will never be able to express it enough, I dearly appreciate my mom!

I know it might sound trite, but one of my biggest concerns about going back to work was whether I'd be able to get dressed and out the door in the morning without being completely stressed. However, except for one morning where she didn't follow her normal routine, each morning she has either stayed asleep until I'm ready to walk out the door with her, or she's woken early enough for me to get her back to sleep so I could go and get ready. I also very fortunate that she's such a good sleeper! :+]

So... my mom's got Ayla each day and Jackson on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Needless to say, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are much more hectic days. Last Wednesday, when I went to pick Ayla up, my mom had both kids on the floor playing. Ayla isn't a good "tummy time" baby... she does not enjoy being on her tummy, and I think it's got something to do with what she isn't able to see from the vantage point. She much prefers to be sitting up (or in mommy's arms), however, she's not quite able to do that on her own. The Bumbo seat is great, but she can't get to toys that fall out of "Bumbo reach," and she then gets frustrated that she can't get to them. That day when I went to pick her up, my mom had them on the floor and Ayla sitting in a small clothes basket with toys in front of her. It was perfect for her because the sides and back gave her support, and she was able to have toys in front of her that were contained within the basket. Plus... her cousin could also still get to her to give her his many hugs, but the basket offered a little protection (he can be a rough hugger). ;+) It was a great idea... and much cheaper than a Bumbo! That same day, I went home and, after spending some time with her, I placed her in the small basket I had. She played in it for about 30 minutes, which was just enough time to get dinner started. So, here she is enjoy some "basket play time" on two different occasions.