Back to work

Lacey returned to work today. Having her home for the last 12 weeks has been wonderful, but I think part of her was ready to go back - to get out of the house and to use her brain for something other than thinking about the baby (although I imagine she'll still be doing plenty of that).

Before Madeline, our work schedules meant Lacey and I only saw each other on weekends. That's a big reason why these last three months have been so nice (outside the stress of having a new baby) - we've had plenty of time together. And Lacey is returning on a part-time basis - she'll be in the office only three days a week - so we'll still see each other for at least a few minutes every day.

I don't imagine the transition will be too tough. Madeline will eat from a bottle a couple times a day, but she's done well with the bottle in the past so I have no reason to fear things will be different now. Lacey will have to navigate the issue of pumping at work, which I think was her major concern.

I think we're all excited to get this new phase under way and see how things work out. This is going to be "normal" now - Lacey's three-month leave was necessary and fruitful, but now it's time to move forward and get on with our new, "real" life.