Farewell Maternity Leave....

This is officially my last day of maternity leave/summer break :(

Thinking back to March when I took two days off before delivering Nolan it felt like I was going to be away from work for such a LONG time.  Not the case now.  I feel like I blinked and it's over.  I am incredibly lucky to have had such an extended period of time home with Nolan.  Typically, women are returning to work within twelve weeks on average....I've had twenty-two.

My favorite moments are simple:

• Being the first one to grab Nolan from his crib in the morning and after naps (especially when he started to smile).
• Lying on his bedroom floor with him and reading books while he quietly laid there beside me and listened.
• Going on morning walks around the neighborhood.
• Witnessing him grow and accomplish so many "firsts."
• Napping with him on my chest during the first couple of weeks.
• Taking him with me everywhere I went.  
• Talking and singing to him all day.
• Being the one to comfort him when he was upset.  (That's when he gives out his best snuggles).
• Having the ability to kiss his chubby baby cheeks anytime I wanted to.

I'm headed back to work tomorrow morning and Nolan is off to our wonderful sitter who will watch him in her home.  It will be extremely hard not to be with him every second of the day anymore but I know he is being loved and taken care of in my absence.  Besides, Thanksgiving break is only 13 weeks away.  But who's counting?  ;)