1 job + 1 job = 2 much craziness

It's sometimes tough to balance my two jobs (part time at FamilyLife, full time mommy). I'm so glad I can work from home, but it means that occasionally the two worlds collide. And not in a good way.

I had just gotten Perrin up from a nap yesterday when my cell phone rang. It was someone from work, calling to discuss some details for a training seminar we're organizing in a couple weeks. I sat down at my work computer so I could look over a spreadsheet while I was talking. I figured Perrin would be fine wandering around the house by himself for 15 or 20 minutes. After I'd been on the phone a couple minutes, I heard the pitter patter of his little feet running down the hall towards me. I was still focused on the computer screen, so I didn't bother looking at him until he thrust his hand at me and said, "This! This!" As in, "Look at this, Mommy!" I looked. His hand and arm up to his elbow were COVERED in huge globs of vaseline. I cradled the phone against my shoulder and rushed him into the kitchen to try to rinse it off. But guess what? Vaseline doesn't rinse off. And his icky hand was touching everything within reach. I grabbed about 20 paper towels and began wiping him down, all while trying to continue my conversation in a somewhat professional manner. I had to run back and forth from my computer a few times to answer some questions. By then, the vaseline was all over me, my clothes, and Perrin's hair. I finally got him marginally clean, then I dared to approach the mess in my bedroom. Yep, just as I suspected--vaseline all over the floor. I got off the phone and started cleaning.

Hmm... an office job is starting to look kind of nice again.

Back to work

I'm officially a working mom. (Yay?) Yesterday was my first day to go back to the office. I popped in for three hours to pick up some files and talk to my boss about some projects and duties I'll be taking over. All of which I can do from home! :)

So far, so good--I put Perrin down for his morning nap around 8:30 and got two full hours of work in. My goal is ten hours a week. It's only Tuesday and I'm halfway there. I think this just might work out! Working from home is AWESOME--I can wear pajamas, munch on grapes, and listen to music as I type up articles and process orders. And if Perrin wakes up crying, I'll just clock out and try to get more done later. I was pretty worried about going back to work and trying to balance that with taking care of Perrin. But these first two days have been great! Don't have a heart attack, but I think I actually missed working. We'll see how long that lasts....

Last day of work

Today's my last day of work, and I feel strangely sad about leaving. After a couple week of sleepless nights, backaches, and general discomfort and fatigue, I thought I'd be rejoicing to finally make it to this point. And in some ways I am. But I also genuinely enjoy my job (most days, anyway), so I can't help feeling a little sad to close the doors on this part of my life.

At the same time, I'm totally excited that I get to stay home with Perrin. I never thought I'd be able to do this. It will definitely require some major sacrifices--no more eating out or other frivolous spending. But I know it's worth it. (Perrin, I hope you're worth it!!) :) And Trey and I both really feel at peace with our decision--we feel like God has blessed us by making it possible for me to stay home, and we're trusting that He'll provide for us.

I'm not completely leaving FamilyLife altogether... after a few months, I'm planning to work a few hours from home each week for the Global department. So hopefully this will be like the best of both worlds. But it's still a major change... an exciting, scary, never-be-the-same-again change. After all, I know how to organize meetings, create PowerPoint presentations, and write proposals or product descriptions. But taking care of an infant? Brand new territory for me. I truly believe that I'm leaving one full-time job and entering into a much more difficult (but also more rewarding) full-time job.

My new job title: Mommy. Hours per week: (How many hours are in a week? That many. Plus some.) No experience necessary (thank goodness). Description: Keep baby clean, fed, rested, safe, and loved. And try not to put the diaper on backwards.

Kicking up a storm

Perrin is particularly active today. That's a good thing, except that it makes me much less productive at work. I seriously have been sitting here for the last half hour or so with my hand on my tummy and a goofy expression on my face as I stare at the wall. I have ten sticky notes lined up across my desk reminding me of things I need to do or people I need to call. But who can concentrate on work when there's a mini-person bouncing around inside you?

I haven't quite gotten over the weirdness of it all. It's very cool but a bit sci-fi sometimes to know that I'm growing a baby. I feel like superwoman--look what my body can do! I took the tiniest of all of Trey's cells, and I'm growing an entire person out of it! Someone once compared it to building a house together, and all the guy has to go is pick out the carpet. And while there are some not-so-great things that accompany pregnancy, the guys also miss out on the really cool parts. Like little baby kicks throughout the day that keep you from getting any work done.