Can I just say how JEALOUS I am of all of you outside the US that get a whole year off? I firmly believe that more time is needed than the standard 6/8 weeks the US gets. Knowing last year that I was hopefully going to have kids, I saved every ounce of vaca/sick leave I had (b/c that's all I get paid as far as time off) and still only had 7 1/2 weeks paid out of the 10 1/2 weeks I had taken off. So that paycheck everyone else got last week, just means peanut butter and jelly and mac n'cheese for me.
Last week was my 1st full time week back to work after having 10 1/2 weeks off for maternity leave after having twins in June. I'm not sure how I made it through! All the coffee and espresso didn't make a dent. I had actually started the kids at day care August 1st (part time till last week), so I got that whole sad/I miss them day out of the way. I also wanted to see how my morning were going to be. Turns out I need to be up by 3:30am. Some mornings I've "slept in" till 4am. Like today. I had woken up at 1, and feed them by 2am. Having to get up an hour or 1 1/2 hour later just wasn't going to happen. I get up, shower (shower meaning hurry up and throw soap on me and maybe get to wash my hair, otherwise its a bun-again, and shaving my legs? ha!), pump, feed babies, feed my face (has to be finger food, right now its ego waffles), get dressed, lets the dogs out, pack bags, change diapers/dress babies and hope they don't spit up all over the place (I've learned now, to always have a 'spit' rag on my shoulders), get them in car seats and out the door my 6:15. I haven't made it out the door by 6:15 yet! Luckily I have an awesome boss who "can't even imagine having two babies at the same time."
And yes I could probably do some of this the night before, but when I have to make a decision on what to do in between feeding sessions -sleep always wins.
Hoping for a smoother week, with more sleep (in my dreams!).
Yikes! I remember those days (my three are 21, 19, and 16 now)! Sending wishes for lots of rest and relaxation (and barring that, for endless cups of coffee *grin*).
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious for my babies to get a little bit older (I'm told the 6 month mark is the sweet spot). Started today with starbucks!
DeleteI agree that's nowhere near enough mat leave. But you are doing your best! I hope they thrive in day care. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are doing so far so good! I always fear that they'll have just a really bad day where they're both fussy and my sitter will throw her arms up and say she can't do it anymore.
DeleteI would always get so frustrated with the amount of time I spent pumping. I was also never efficient at multi-tasking while pumping but I heard wonder stories of other women who pumped in the car on their commute to/from work.
ReplyDeletewow! pumping on the way to work. hey I guess whatever works. While my widows are tinted, they're not THAT dark.
DeleteWhile I can't relate to having two, I understand about the leave. My job didn't offer maternity leave - just a combination of vacation and sick time. I got 8 weeks.
ReplyDeleteMine too. I even worked extra hours (comp time), otherwise I wouldn't have had the 7 weeks. But I really wanted 10 weeks off just in case one or both of them ended up in the NICU (which one of them did) and I would want that extra time to spend with them. And I totally just ate a second PB&J sandwich cause I was so hungry #poorgirlproblems
DeleteGive yourself every bit of credit & know how wonderful your "best" is (even on those days when it feels like your best sucks.) I have triplets & the first year... or two... or three were hellish in regards to exhaustion, organization, etc. I think I didn't even get paid for some of my time off. It was just a guarantee a job would still be there. Hang in there girl... I know people probably always say to you something dumb like: "Be happy it's not triplets!" but I've really been there... xo
ReplyDeleteVery sweet commment - Thank you! If its anything I keep hearing from people who actually get it, is that it gets better. Oh man! Don't get me started on crazy things people say...
DeleteI'm echoing Lori above -- those first few months (years) with multiples are so hard. But you will get more sleep. For right now, skip the leg shaving and sleep sleep sleep when you can.
ReplyDeleteI'm dreaming of my head hitting the pillow now!
Delete