Mia Kathleen

3 months

12 pounds

Clothing=3-6 months (depending on the brand)

Mia loves to smile, laugh and talk. She loves when people talk to her and give her attention.

Mia is starting to grab at toys and is very curious about the world around her.

Mia has recently discovered that her hand is fun chew toy!

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Going back to work after Mia was born was probably one of the scariest things I have ever done. Questions filled my mind... What if she refuses to eat from a bottle? What if she cries the whole time? What if she doesn't get held enough? Will I be able to pump enough breast milk? How will I get my work done when I need to pump 3 times a day? Will my husband help out as much as he says he will? When will I clean my house? Will I ever have time to work out? Will she like her teachers better than me? and worst of all... Will she forget who I am?

These were very emotional questions that Joe and I discussed in great detail before and after my first week back at work. As a woman, I needed to verbalize my fears even if there wasn't a direct answer. As a man, Joe wanted to solve every fear, question and problem that I had while being very confused at the same time.

After working for only a couple of days, Joe asked, "Do you want to quit?" The extra money is definitely nice but not critical. We live a very comfortable life with both of us working (even when paying for Mia's "school" each month. The extra money would be missed but we would be fine. As I thought, prayed and cried, I realized, No...I don't want to quit.

God blessed me with the gift of teaching and I think I can handle being a working mom. Teaching fills me up and helps me to be in a good place for my family. I love picking Mia up from school and spending quality time together when I get home. She is so happy in the evenings during our time together. Out of 365 days a year, I work 170ish. As of now, I think I have the best of both worlds.

The most difficult part about being a working mom, is judgement. It seems that majority of people are black and white regarding the stay at home mom vs. working mom debate. I realize whatever decision is made, someone has something negative to say about it. I don't feel that there is a right way or a wrong way. I think and hope I will love being a stay at home mom someday but for now, we are doing great! Please don't look at my with pity, feel sorry for me or tell me it won't last forever. I have an amazing job, an extraordinary husband and the most beautiful baby in the world (I know i'm biased). I must say...LIFE IS GOOD!

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

Love,

Kellie

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I started this post last weekend but haven't had a chance until now to update it. Weekends are so much fun now that I'm back to work. Joe, Mia and I have so much fun enjoying each other and making memories as a family.

Mia loves watching movies on the big screen in the basement with daddy. I'm still not sure how I feel about her watching movies but hopefully the damage is minimal.

Mia is getting so big that we decided it was time to take the newborn sling out of her bathtub. She got to sit in the water for the first time. Based on the smile, I think she liked it!

Getting all warm and cozy after bath time. Thanks for the adorable robe Nicki!

Mia is so happy majority of the time. I love her gummy smile. : )

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I'm not going to lie, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself after surviving last week. It was my first week back to work, my first time away from my baby and my hubby's first business trip since Mia's been born. Joe didn't leave for his trip until Wednesday so he was a great help on Monday and Tuesday. He took Mia to daycare both days which was not an easy task. I think his heart broke as he handed her over to the care providers. I picked Mia up on Monday and cried all the way home and continued to shed tears throughout the evening. Joe and I have been doing a lot of talking and praying and feel as though this is the right decision for our family. By Wednesday, I decided that I will no longer be sad and things have been good ever since. I refuse to live my life with a negative attitude. Life is about making the best out of every situation.

Mia is doing great at daycare and is always super happy when I pick her up. I love our evenings together full of talking, cuddling, smiling and playing. I want her to continue to be exclusively breastfed as long as I possibly can. It's definitely difficult to find time to pump at work but my school has been very accommodating. They installed new blinds in my classroom, so I can pump in my room and paid someone to take my class out to morning recess so I could have another opportunity to pump. I'm learning to be more efficient and not waste time at work since some of my lunch and prep time is taken up by pumping.

Mia is learning more and more every day. She loves any sort of interaction and has recently started liking her Bumbo chair( see above). Sorry the pictures aren't the best quality, they're from my phone.

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Christmas morning is probably one of my favorite times every year. Everyone is tired but super happy and full of joy.

Me and Colton.

Karla, Brad, Colton and Cody waiting to open presents.

Diana cuddling with Grandma.

Lots of presents.

My favorite Christmas picture.

Cody in his new Monster hat.

Diana playing her new piano from Grandma and Grandpa.

James holding me like I'm still a baby.

It seems as though every busy day/event ends with Daddy and Mia asleep on the couch. : )

Family.

Cousins.

Love this pic. It's too funny.

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Christmas Eve was a busy day for us. We were up early for Christmas with Joe's side of the family, we then went to church and finished the day with dinner and fun with my side of the family.

Christmas Eve at Joe's brother's house.

Playing the Dice Game.

Me, Patrick, Emily, Kathy, Mike and Jake. Joe is taking the picture.

Christmas Eve at my Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Sleeping Babies. Mia and Selene are only 1 month apart.

Family of 3.

The table keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Joe proving the he's stronger than Cody.

Mia and her Great Uncle Mike.

Mia and her Great Uncle James.

Mia and her Grandma Karleen.

Mia and her Uncle Cody.

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