Mother's Day/ 8 weeks

I went back to work last week, and while there were some very difficult moments (being told I am switching to teaching 7th grade next year)overall things went off without a hitch. There were even some positives that came out of it;
1. I can do this. These three weeks are like a trial run to this fall when I go back to work. I now see how I will be able to get up in the morning, and get Olive and myself ready and out the door.
2. Also falling under the "I can do this" category, I can be away from her for 8-9 hours a day and we will both be okay. I missed her like crazy, but she adjusted well. There were no reports of crying all day or refusing bottles. She was okay with having a different caregiver, and that makes me feel good.
3. She and Mark have a stronger bond. For a couple weeks before this, Olive was becoming very attached to me. That meant being fussy for pretty much anyone other than me. While Mark was a trooper, I could tell it would wear on him. Now since he gets home before I do he gets to have "Daddy and Olive time" every day, and they are much more relaxed and bonded with each other. In fact their time together tends to end with the two of them napping on the couch together, which is pretty adorable.

4. Olive's bond with her Papa, and what I'm sure in the coming weeks will be her bond with her Gammie, and Grandma. After spending a week together it was wonderful to see the connection between Olive and my Dad. They were so relaxed and happy with each other. It makes me very grateful for this time she is getting to have one-on-one with her grandparents. I think it is the foundation of a the very special relationships she will have with each one of them.
5. New tricks. Mark is a great Dad, but he does not have very much baby experience. Having another adult here who has previous baby experience, means new tricks and ideas of what do do with Olive. New ways to get her to sleep (in her carseat on top of the washing machine was one way), and new ways to keep her entertained ( she is very into her gator mobile now, thanks uncle Kelly).

There were some other developments that occurred this week as well.  Olive can now see the ceiling fan, and she loves it. She has also started tracking people with her eyes as they move around the room.  It's amazing how much she seems to have matured this week.  I'm not sure if every week is going to seem this way, or if this was just a big week in her development.  She seems calmer now, and has more of a routine.  She spends more time happy and relaxed.  Hopefully these positive developments will continue over the coming weeks.

Today is Mother's Day, and it's funny while I definitely feel like Olive's mom.  I don't really feel like I have earned a Mother's Day celebration.  Nonetheless, Mark and Olive spoiled me rotten.  Olive got me a gift card to Flip Burger (best burgers ever) and Mark made fried cheesecake for dessert tonight.  Oh and the cats got me some Target sandwich cookies that I am addicted to.  I'm feeling like a pretty lucky mom right now, and am ready to face another week of work. One down two more to go.