We did it!

We survived the first day back at work. Thank you everyone for your thoughts on the matter. I had my BIL come and hang out for the first 2 hours and while it was a bit painful, I managed without him so I sent him home. During the two hour break, Brad came home with lunch (yummy smoked meatloaf sandwich) and a mocha! Ahh, sugar and caffeine blended with ice. Just what I needed. Seeing Brad was great too.

The first two hours were a bit stressful because she was awake and alert for most of it. She spent some time in a chair that rocks when she kicks her feet. When the toys are attached from a bar, she can make the toys rock. Just yesterday, she put this together so that kept her entertained for a bit. Some of the time I had her in a sling, happily sucking away although not really eating. She also spent some time laying on her back. I would talk to her while I could and the rest of the time she would just stare off into space. I hate that look. She looks depressed or that she has given up on me ever responding to her. I hope it is ok for her brain development. I keep thinking of the billions of connections being built right now.

The second two hours were easier. During the 2 hour break, she kept wanting to fall asleep. I would let her and then put her down. In about 10 minutes she would wake up (she hates to sleep alone) and we would have about 30 minutes of happy time before she would get fussy and we would repeat the process. When it came time to work, I kept her in the sling and was able to work while she slept.

The downside is that we have had record high temperatures and we don't have air conditioning. Here I am, trying to work in an 86 degree house with a baby strapped to my front. We were both dripping sweat. About 30 minutes before I was scheduled to get off, I couldn't take it anymore, so I put her down. She woke up about 20 minutes later and I still had to call a customer back - so back into my lap she goes. Fortunately, after an initial call, I was able to get off the phone and remote in.

All in all, I think it was a success. I am not looking forward to tomorrow because the first two hours were pretty stressful, but maybe we will keep getting better at it. I am still getting my new pc up and running as I like it and that added to the stress this morning.

Afterward, we did our best to get comfortable by cooling down with a wet washcloth.

The other success today is that even though I was working and not paying enough attention to her, I was still able to catch the majority of her eliminations. I am just loving doing the "elimination communication" stuff. It is just amazing to have her communicate her discomfort, put her on the potty and have her go. When I mess it up and misread her intentions, she straightens her legs and screams - so I know right away she didn't really need to go. When I get it right, she quiets right down and gets busy. Not to brag (yeah, I'm bragging), but a few days ago we caught 9 out of her first 9 eliminations. The funny thing is that she went 9 times in only four hours. We were out and about after that and I only caught one more, but I think it was a new record.

Well, enough for now. I am afraid I have become one of those people who can go on and on about pooping and peeing. Wait until I can post pics of our camping trip. She went potty in the woods!