First Day Home with Mommy (and Daddy)

Though I stopped working last Tuesday, I consider today my first day home with Morgan. We kept her in daycare last week as we had already paid for the full week. Then she had time to play with her "friends" and "say goodbye" to her teachers. Though the daycare center we chose was originally our second choice, it really turned out great for us. She was really happy there and all the teachers loved her. They even made a goodbye present for her with a few pictures on a sheet of paper that all the staff signed. I'll put it in her baby book. They said she was welcome back any time. This is nice to hear as who knows when we'll need childcare again...possibly not until she starts preschool, but if a great opportunity for me comes up sooner we have options.

Today we took a trip to my former workplace (boo). I had to go in to pick up my last paycheck and sign some paperwork that was not prepared for me on my last day (boo again). I will miss my co-workers though, and they were really happy to see Morgan. I felt bad for them as they are all pretty scared because they've heard that more lay-offs are coming. I'm glad I'm gone now and able to move on. It's so un-nerving to wonder if your head is on the chopping block.

Next we headed to the grocery store. This was Morgan's first big trip to the store where she got to sit in the shopping cart! She loved it!! Everyone commented on how cute and sweet she is. She was so good. This trip also cleared up a dilemma for me. I have one of those shopping cart covers, but when I was laid off I decided I was going to return it because it seemed somewhat unnecessary. Well...I changed my mind. Morgan was too interested in sucking on parts of the shopping cart. Yuck! I kept trying to get her to stop, but you can imagine how successful that was. Next time I'll bring the cover. It also has some spots you can place toys as well. Then maybe she'll play with the toys and not try to constantly grab (and eat) my shopping list. We did have a fun time there. I was proud of her for being so good.

She's actually napping in her crib right now (shocker!) and she's been there for about 45 minutes so far. I think this has something to do with being tired from a busy morning, and she has herself wedged in a corner with her WubbaNub in her mouth (see pic below). She's just at the right angle so it hasn't fallen out yet. Don't worry, I keep checking to make sure she's breathing. Tonight we're headed to the "Coach's (radio) Show" for the Shock as a local restaurant. Morgan will have fun seeing her buddy Elijah and we'll see our friends too.

One other great thing about today is that Morgan got to see her Daddy quite a bit. He fed her this morning and let Mommy sleep in a bit (can't seem to get rid of a lingering cold). Then when we got back from the grocery store he fed her some lunch, then he gave her kisses before her nap.

I promise you won't get a full synopsis of every day from now on (though I know the Grandparents would love that!). I just thought this was a significant day worth the details.

Our New Backyard

Our backyard landscaping is done!! We think it turned out really nice. We took these pictures yesterday before we put our new patio furniture together (you'll see a box or two on the patio in a few of these pictures). I tried to get all the angles of the yard and some photos are a little shadowy. It's not big, but it's just the right size for our little family. Morgan will be running around on the grass in no time! I'll add some more photos the patio furniture as soon as I can.

Now David's hankering for a gas barbecue...just show me the commission, honey...Momma doesn't bring home the bacon anymore (and that landscaping was not cheap). Hee hee!

An Expected Surprise

Of course that title makes no sense, but it's sort of how I feel about the events that happened two days ago. I was laid off from my job on Tuesday afternoon. There were several people in our company that were let go, with apparently more to come if business doesn't pick up.

This did not come as a surprise to me because sales for our company has not been good (high-end real estate). For several reasons, in my position I've been the "odd man out," so I knew if layoffs happened it would be me that would go. It was only a surprise because of that moment when your boss calls you into his office to break the news. It's never news you want to hear, even though you knew it was a possibility. You just hope it never happens.

Now, David and I had been making some plans for me to stay home with Morgan anyway...it just wasn't quite this soon. I had days where I couldn't wait to be home with her and days where I was enjoying my job and thinking that it would be OK to stay...and the extra income was nice.

So, I really think this was God's way of cutting through my wishy-washiness and making it happen. Unfortunately there was no severance pay offered (this was another surprise!), but I do qualify for unemployment. I may look into that, but since I'm not looking for a new job in the near future...I don't know how that works.

So, that's the latest. On to a new, exciting chapter!!

A Long Week

I've been lagging on my blogging this week. It has been a long one for me at work with preparation for our PR team to visit on Thursday and then two days full of meetings and property tours. Though it is nice to have a change of pace and be out of the office, it is difficult to keep up with the day to day details. On Thursday night I also had a dinner with our company CEO, President, our PR team and a few co-workers. It was nice to have a great dinner out, but I missed my little Morgan terribly. I had to say goodbye to her in the morning and she was asleep when I got home that night. By Friday afternoon I was dying to see her. I got home a bit early from some meetings in downtown Spokane and begged David to come with me to get Morgan early from day care. It didn't take much begging because David was glad to go get her too.

We are ecstatic to have a long weekend with our little one. We are off to some friends' house to "watch" the Shock game. It will be broadcast over the internet. I can't imagine us all sitting around the computer, so I think I'll check in from time to time. The guys will keep us girls updated. Morgan's friend Elijah (and his mommy Migdalia) will be there so it will be sure to be a fun time. We'll take lots of pictures!! Go Shock!!