4 lbs to go!

I am excited to report that I only have 4 more pounds to lose to get to my pre-pregnancy weight. I've lost 5 since I went back to work, which surprised me. I thought for sure I'd gain weight since I love to run out for a chocolate bar when work gets stressful.

And "stressful" it has been. It's been tough trying to catch up on what happened on projects over the past few months while keeping up with what's happening now. The next couple of weeks are going to be tough, no doubt about it. Next week I have two long meetings on the Bremerton navy base, which means leaving at the crack of dawn for the 2 hour trip there, taking notes and running a presentation for hours, then making the 2 hour trip back. PLUS I have to figure out when/where to pump and store breastmilk during that time. I went out to Bremerton on Friday to renew my access badge, and I figured I'd just pump in the bathroom on the ferry (it's an hour ferry ride from downtown Seattle). But I was HORRIFIED when I saw the bathroom stalls, so I ended up pumping at the bathroom sinks, which were somewhat cleaner. Luckily no one came in the whole time, because that would have been a little awkward.

The week after that we have a huge submittal going out, which is always a nightmare. It might sound like I don't like my job, but really I do. It's just hard right now while I'm still adjusting and things are so crazy. Sometimes I feel a hint of my old self, getting into the groove of things, and sometimes I resent being at work. The other day I thought I was going to cry if one more person stepped foot in my cubicle to ask me for something.

Things are also busy at home. We're all set to move at the end of September! It's exciting but stressful.

Brenden is growing and learning fast! He's showing interest in toys and books. He loves to smile and talk to the hanging toys on his bouncer. Just last night he realized he can touch the toys. His hand accidentally hit the hanging turtle, and after that he kept moving his hand back and forth to touch it over and over again, looking amazed the whole time. He's also fascinated by his hands. He loves to stare at them and suck on them. This morning he seemed to realize for the first time that Mommy has hands too. He grabbed my pinky finger in his fist and stared at it, then put my knuckle in his mouth. He made a face; I guess Mom's hands don't taste as good.

It's so much fun watching Brenden discover the world. He's learning and doing things right on schedule with other babies, but it seems so special. It doesn't matter that it's been done billions of times before.