There is this over-riding guilt that I'm not with her enough or doing enough as a Mom. Daycare has been o.k....it hasn't been all great, but not terrible either. We decided that we are looking for something that still has the flexibility, but is more low key with smaller class sizes. I won't go into too much detail, but her class started with 10-12 kids, then a teacher got fired, they now have 16 kids, and Waverly is 1 of 3 girls. We just aren't thrilled with it. This makes leaving her there pretty hard. However we are on a wait list for a smaller church pre-school/daycare that I really like and hope it will be a good, long term situation. It only has 5 kids a class, so the teachers seem to really have control and it seems like a pretty happy, calm place. That should start mid-May.
The blessing through this transition has been my parents. Waverly is with them 2 days a week and I feel so comfortable on those days knowing that she's having so much fun and getting lots of love and attention from Nana ("Nanny") and Granddaddy ("Ga-Da").
As far as working for New Belgium goes...it's been fun and I love the company, but I have a very big, busy job! I went to Colorado twice for trainings and have had to start from scratch getting my team, my VA state distributors, and myself organized. There were no 2014 plans in place and zero direction...this was definitely a surprise to me! So I was on the road a lot trying to meet and work with everyone, go to every possible meeting and event to try and get a grasp of what's going on in VA for the brand. Everything and everyone is now planned/organized and business has gone from -20% in December to flat in March, so I'm feeling pretty good right now! My goal was for our VA trends to be in the positive by July and we will see positive growth in April, so I'm ahead! phew.
Since the 1st quarter ended and April started, things feel much more under control and I love that I make my own schedule and can be very flexible. Even if it means working a night or an early morning, I can be home with Waverly on a Friday (nap time is key!), pick her up early, or drop her off late. Although I am very much still juggling and trying to be a full time employee while being a full time mom...it's getting better. I feel like I can breathe again. Casey and I hadn't talked in almost 2 months because we usually catch up at night and I was working so much that I literally didn't have time. The first week I felt like I had turned a corner, we caught up and chatted for a looong time. So nice :)
I have so much respect for working families...I don't even want to think about adding school and other activities to the mix. The key is calendars, communication, and ultra organization! Let me just tell you that we don't have this system down quite yet, but we are getting better. We took our first trip since last October and it was so nice to get away, see old friends, and relax. We went to Dewey Beach and stayed with our friends Colin & Cherie and their son Nash who is the same age as Waverly. Close friends, Mark & Joelle joined us too, which added to the fun for the weekend! The weather was perfect...sunny, but not hot. It was still off-season, so the usually crazy Dewey bar scene was quiet, but restaurants were open and family friendly. Waverly loved playing in the sand which has me excited for this summer. There was a moment when we all sat on the beach, the sun was shining, it was 75 out, the kids were playing, a beer was in my hand and I said "this is just what we needed". Almost like...we've turned a corner...we made it through the chaotic beginning and now this is our new normal. I feel like I can do this...sometimes. ha.
The beach...
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| beachin it. |
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| strolling around Rehobeth Beach...quite the look Nash is giving Waverly! haha. |
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| during Saturday naps, Joelle and I got pedicures with complimentary wine. what a treat. |
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| Easter egg hunt! |
