working moms miss magical moments...

030510.  The LO took her first steps yesterday.

But I missed it.

And I’m pretty bummed.

But I’m dealing.

And starting to realize there are a lot of “first moments” I’m going to miss because I made the decision to go back to work after the LO came into my life.

… As I mentioned yesterday, my superwoman Mom arrives on Monday morning at about 7:30 am (after driving 2 hours from the desert) to take care of the LO until midday Thursday, when she’s “relieved” of duty by a wonderful woman that I’ll just call The Nanny for ease of use. 

And, seriously, The Nanny is fantastic.  The LO loves loves loves her.  She squeals in delight when The Nanny walks in the door.  She jumps up and down.  She squirms to get into The Nanny’s arms.  She basically gets “the wiggles.”  Which is awesome.

(I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hurts just a little to know that she doesn’t seem to miss me too much when The Nanny is around!  But what a blessing.  Clearly, the Nanny is good to the LO)

So, yes, I knew going into this whole thing that I might miss some milestones:

… first words (so far, the LO says “apple” and “go” and “mamamamama” and “daddy” and “bird” … I was there for “apple,” “bird,” and “mamamamama” … :)

… first steps (I guess they happened last night)

… the first time she decided to put her face in the bubbles of her bath (see pic)

(The LO as Col. Sanders)

… and first other things that I can’t think of right now at this early 4 am hour. (I have no idea what I’m doing up at 4 am … I doubt this will be a regular time for me to be posting)

Okay, so back to yesterday:

I got home late from work last night (around 8 o’clock).  The Nanny’s husband was already waiting in their car outside the house to pick her up.  And by this time of night, the LO is ready to settle down with some milk (yes, I’m still breastfeeding …I’m thinking this will last until she’s at least 1) and fall into dreamland for the night.  Even though her ride is waiting, The Nanny always offers to give me a few minutes to change out of my work clothes before handing over the munchkin, so I rushed to put on a pair of comfy sweats and a tee and race back to the living room to finally get my arms around the beautiful babe.

That’s when she dropped the bomb … she shows me where LO was standing.  She mimics the move.  She says “she took two steps,” (takes the two awkward, clunky, baby-like steps herself to show me the action), “and then she plopped down,” (another mime move).  I get tears in my eyes (but I don’t cry).  And I say something … I have no idea what I said.  And I just hugged and hugged the LO.  (There's a good chance I was holding her a little too tightly, but she didn't seem to mind.)

We waved to The Nanny as she walked to her car.  Said we'd be happy to see her tomorrow.  And I closed and locked the door and immediately called The Cowboy (who was also sad to miss the moment) and then my Mom (who said LO had done the 2-step-plop-on-the-floor-move before, but she wasn’t telling the Cowboy and me so we could feel like we were there for the first time.  She sounded a little annoyed by The Nanny.)  

I bet LO said "bird" before Monday...)

And that’s why I love my Mom.

Q: Is there someone in your life who loves you enough to NOT tell you things?

Comments

[Cowboy]

Cowboy here...seeing that I'm at our place in Montana and LO's mom, the blog author, was working and did not witness the alleged baby steps I'm considering the alleged event an unsubstantiated rumor.

I know she is on the verge of walking, and has been for weeks now. I have video of her standing for close to 30 seconds on her own, contemplating those steps before squatting to the ground. But, you know the old adage, seeing is believing!

Perhaps it is the guilty feelings associated with being gone during these milestones, or just my hubristic outlook that my daughter wouldn't dare take these giant leaps without her mother and me there to bear witness. How could she?

Whatever my personal rationalization, that fact remains the alleged event is still an unsubstantiated rumor. Just remember LO, creeping and crawling is paramount for your brain development, at least until I can get back to you and your mother and see for myself!

[jeanne]

Thanks for the comment, Cowboy! And I'm just going to go ahead and agree with you. I've been with the LO 24 hours/day since Friday and I'm not seeing the walking yet. It didn't happen :)