Today was my first day as an “official” SAHM. Let me just start out by saying, it feels SO good, y’all. :) Now I get to do the most rewarding job in the world, staying home with this sweet little thing!

Yesterday was my last official day with BDO, which consisted of really just me going to turn in my computer, and then they held a special going away happy hour for me at one of my favorite restaurants. We had a great time (H and Jon came, too), and I realize just how lucky I am to have been able to work with such awesome people. I was one of the original 7 that started the Raleigh office for BDO, and it was definitely an amazing ride over the 2.5 years that I was there. I will always be proud to say that I was one of the original founding members of the office, and I am so sad to be leaving so many friends! The good news is, they tell me that I’ll still be invited to the “fun stuff” (family day, Thanksgiving, Christmas party!) and it looks like I might even be the official BDO photographer for the events. :) I’ll do whatever I can to stay a part of the BDO family! I am so, so blessed to have had such a great opportunity to work for a company like BDO and I am definitely sad to see this chapter in my life come to an end.

With that being said, I am so. excited. for this next chapter in my life! I hated to miss things when I was back at work for a short time, and I am so happy and lucky that I won’t have to miss a thing now that I’m home. I am especially thankful for Jon, who told me the other day that he never would have “asked me or pushed me to stay home”, but that he is so glad I am going to. He is so supportive and also so excited that I get to be here with H… and he understands that just because I am home does not mean I am not “working”…he spent a week with H himself when I was back at work, so he knows that it is a full-time job and not an easy one!

We started off day #1 of me being home with H sleeping until 10:30 (13.5 hours!)…that has to be a good sign. :) Then, we played (a LOT), practiced walking (this is all she wants to do lately), went on a walk through the neighborhood with Ralph, got some laundry done, and cooked one of our favorite dinners. Successful day 1, I’d say! My wheels are already spinning thinking of activities to keep us busy, and I’m also looking forward to meeting new Mommy friends and baby friends for H. One of the first things on the agenda: joining a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. I am excited about that!

So, as one chapter closes, the next one begins…LET’S DO THIS! :)

Here’s to watching soap operas and eating bon bons all day,

-S

P.S. I promise I’ll get back to my regularly scheduled blogging ASAP…I have LOTS to catch up on! ;)

It is surreal. Today was my last official day of work….until July. I have been planning my maternity leave for months, and it has just seemed so far away—but it is HERE. Getting up and getting ready this morning I just couldn’t believe that this was my last day…which means that Hadley will be here any time now. Of course I have known that she could be here any day now, but for some reason it really hit me today!

As far as last days at work go, today couldn’t have been any better. A couple of weeks ago, we had our “official” BDO Christmas party at Raleigh Country Club…which was really nice (and really fun), but today in the office we had our 2nd annual tacky sweater party and “dirty santa” gift exchange. There were some QUALITY outfits (think long denim jumpers and tons of Christmas sweaters with fur, bells, arks (don’t ask, hahahaha) and the like. And the gift exchange—was hilarious. Instead of doing a dollar limit on the gift, the rule was that you had to bring something that you already had at your house. Where some people got some of that stuff, I have no idea… but it was quite hilarious. It is days like today that make me realize how lucky I am to work at such a great place… the people at BDO are really not just coworkers, they are family!

I am really going to miss everyone while I’m out…but I will be back at least for 2 months starting the week after July, and I’m sure I will have to meet people for lunches, etc. while I’m out in order to stay up on all the latest news! :) Anyway, I am just feeling very blessed that I am able to take such a long leave with our baby girl. While I will miss everyone at work, I am so looking forward to all the time I will get to be at home with her. So, let the bon-bon eating and soap opera watching begin! (Kidding….or am I?!)

That’s all for now, we’re about to sit down for dinner with my parents… so excited for a fun weekend filled with family and early Christmas celebrations. And I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again…this would be a great time to come, Miss Hadley Jo! ;) Hope everyone has a great weekend!

-S

…I get even sicker than before, apparently! Today has been a looooong day, as I (still) cannot breathe out of my nose…due to that, I barely slept last night and have been SO tired today on top of it all. It sucks to be sick no matter where you are, but for some reason it feels worse when you’re out of town. With that being said, I love it here in Rome (Georgia), the people here are all so nice, and (surprisingly) the food is actually really good here (those of you who travel a lot know how important this is when you’re out of town)!!

Speaking of traveling, unless something changes with my schedule, I think this is my last, possibly ever, week out of town for work (I have two weeks in Charlotte in a couple of weeks but I don’t really count that as being out of town). Crazy… But I can’t say it doesn’t make me breathe a small sigh of relief. I love my co-workers and always end up having a great time with them when I’m gone, but I’d definitely much rather be at home, sleeping in my own bed, than in a hotel.

Now for some big news!!! MY BESTIE IS HAVING A GIRL TOO!!! That’s right, Sarah and Dan had their big gender ultrasound today and the result was that Prince Danny will be seeing a LOT of pink in his future. I am still a little bit in shock that it’s a girl….I was convinced it was going to be a boy, really only based on the fact that her pregnancy has been the opposite of mine—she’s had no puking, sickness, or strong aversions like I had for the first few months. I guess it just goes to show that I’m just very unlucky it’s different for everyone!! I could not be more thrilled that it’s a girl, and I cannot wait for them to grow up together! I’m not sure when (or if) the excitement that we’re both having girls is going to wear off…I’m already trying to figure out if we can figure out a date to do some outlet shopping. Maybe on a Sunday while Jon and Dan are watching football? They won’t even notice we’re gone…and by the time they see it on the bank statement, it’ll be too late! ;)

Well, I officially cannot hold my eyes open any longer, my cold medicine is kicking in. Hoping I can get some sleep tonight and that I wake up feeling much better! :) Happy hump day everyone… Just 2 days til the weekend!

-S