It is time to face reality. My precious time at home with Finley is almost up.
Now I want to be very clear that I really love my job. In this day and age, I am just happy to have a job, not to mention one that I enjoy going to each and every day. That being said, my maternity leave has flown by and the thought of being away from this darling girl, even for a few hours leaves a little ache in my heart. (and a little nausea in my belly…) The good news is that I am only going back part time for the next 8 weeks so I won’t have to dive right into a full day. (in case you’re wondering, my part time shift means that I will be doing the morning show - but not tackling new In Search Of stories quite yet.)
To bring you up to speed, we still have no schedule. My dear friend Lisa Klein dropped off the book “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” which I have started to read. I also picked up “Baby Wise” and hope both of those can offer me up some ideas. But here’s the next problem - when you have a colicky baby…WHEN DO YOU HAVE TIME TO READ?!?!
Also this week, the Thompson household has been hit with the common cold, Finley included. We’ve had to use the nasal aspirator to suction out the congestion in her nose and man is that no fun. I think I might have it the worst and since every over-the-counter medication says “if breast feeding, ask your doctor before use,” I have avoided any meds that might ease the misery. Geez, I am really whining aren’t I??
I have been trying to get up to date on Finley’s baby book, writing down all the details of the world today. How much a gallon of milk costs and who is popular in music and movies - and I had a thought. So many of you have been great about posting comments, I thought it might be really neat to have you all write your own words of wisdom to Finley and I will save them for her to read someday. It could be advice for her life to come, or thoughts on our world or community. Maybe just some well wishes to her or something more creative. Whatever you want. I’m sure she will look back and read these someday and feel pretty special that people took the time to send her a note.
Getting back to my original discussion about going back to work…I am looking forward to having some grown-up interaction. (if you call talking with Bill Graul “grown-up” interaction…) You can certainly get lost in dirty diapers and crying babies if you don’t force yourself to take time away from it all. Actually, this blog has been a good outlet for me during my time off. Thank you all for keeping up with the Thompson’s while we’ve been away. In one week - I will see you in the morning! (and you will all pretend you don’t notice the bags under my eyes!!)
Jennifer
Look at the smiling baby!
Argh Matey! (Finley's best Pirate impersonation...)
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 3:58 am
Hi Finley,
You have an awesome Dad Mom and big Sister. Enjoy the precious Family you have rely on them the most.
You are so cute .
Alice
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Dear Finley Mae,
It’s hard to put into words sometimes the things that run through my mind. Especially in a time where the world around us in 2009 is a negative one. Economy, wars, violence, media filled with nothing but bad news.
I only know your Mom and Dad through watching them on our local news. By the way…they are wonderful at their jobs! And I only know you through this wonderful baby blog they’ve created. The stories and pictures they’ve shared are heartwarming, and this is a place I like to come often. It gives me peace and hope. For not even knowing your family personally, I feel a heartfelt moment every time I visit.
I have raised a son of my own, he is a grown adult now. I was a worrier when he was a baby, just like your Mom is! A mother wants nothing but the best for their children, and does everything in her power to protect and care for the child they brought into this world. Some things you can control as a Mother, and some things you can’t. All I know is that no matter how tough things got for me, I had my own parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, etc. there for me. That’s what family is all about. And what matters most in life is FAMILY.
So, as you grow into a beautiful young lady, you too will experience some faults and difficulties in this world. No matter what remember one important thing:
*FAMILY IS THE ESSENCE OF LIFE*
Sunny blue skies will be there, but when it rains, it’s ok too, because there’s a beautiful rainbow in the end.
There will be bumpy roads along the way, but crossing over those bumps, leads to a straight and narrow place called HOME.
There will be sad faces on people you meet in life. Don’t frown upon them, instead smile your beautiful smile back at them.
Hold on to your family ties…they are the ones who can give you the most LOVE in this world!
People are a reflection of the parents who raise them.
Knowing this, you will have a life of beauty, hope, a big heart, and a family who loves you unconditionally
My Best Wishes to you Finley Mae…..now and in your future!
Love,
~Tori xoxo
on Feb 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Finley Mae may you
Work like you don’t need money,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
And dance like no one’s watching.
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Jennifer,
I want to tell you that I wish you the best and I really hope you keep up with this blog even after you go back to work. I check it daily for updates and think it will be so neat to watch little Finley grow before our eyes.
Most of all I want to tell you that my thoughts are with you on your last week of maternity leave! I just had a daughter a few months back and those weeks go by way too fast. It just doesn’t seem right. Some days I miss her so much it hurts while I am away at work, but it makes going home that much better! Take care and enjoy the last little bit of leave!
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Finley:
I just wanted to pass along a little advice to you as you learn and grow. There are three things I wish I had learned sooner in my life.
1) Love with your whole heart even when it hurts.
2) Put your faith in God and know he loves you completely no matter what.
3) Forgive the little things and the big things and your life will be blessed.
on Feb 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Thank you!
on Feb 24th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Jennifer,
I wanted to share with you our experience, since you mentioned that Finley is colicky. Two of our sons have food allergies - and we didn’t find out with our older of the two until we had endured many sleepless nights and lots and lots of crying. He was allergic to dairy products and was just miserable! Once we cleared his diet of dairy, he became a happy baby who sleep endlessly it seemed. With our 10 month son I now knew to be on the lookout. Sure enough, when he was 7 weeks old we realized he also had food allergies. I was nursing him and was not eating dairy products, so the next guess was soy, and we were right. He is the easiest, happiest baby who is a great sleeper - and he just couldn’t calm down or settle in before that. Within two days of altering my diet, it was like we had a completely different baby.
I realize that this may be a little bit rare - but becoming more common all the time. I wanted to mention it not to make you worry about something else, but to make you aware. I am so thankful the knowledge I have in this area now so that my boys can be healthy!
Enjoy your last week home!
on Feb 25th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Jennifer,
Some of my friends’ grandchildren seemed like they had colic, but the doctor said it was gastric reflux and prescribed medicine which helped a lot. Just a thought.
Grandma Cookie
on Feb 26th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Dear Finley~
I only “know” you and your mom,dad,and Katelin through this blog and from watching the news but feel like I know you all. I have a few pieces of advice as you grow up. Always remember your parents love you and are there for you. Even when you make a mistake they love you and will help you with it. You just have to let them help you. Also reach for the stars and make your dreams come true. Don’t ever ever let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve something. Also work hard for things. Life isn’t a hand out. And lastly (for now) love with your whole heart and be sure to let people know you love them. That love will come back to you so many times over. You are a beautiful person and very much loved.
Vicky
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Hi Jen,
Welcome back to Channel 8 news… its is great to have you back and you look absolutely Wonderful….
You Brighten The News with your Beautiful Smile…
Your Husband is awesome.. Your daughters are so adorable…
Hope all is going Well and continues to get better and BETTER…
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hey Jennifer,
I know you said you are still having a little trouble with getting the little one on a schedual, I had the same problem with my little man he is now 7 months old and how i got him to sleep through the night was he likes the smell of his daddy’s shirts so the shirt that dad went to sleep in the night before we keep it for baby the next evening cause dad works second shift and isn’t there to get him to bed i let him cuddle with dads shirt. he generally likes to grab it with both hands now and cover his face with it for a little bit then he lays it next to his head and he goes right to sleep i really have a daddys boy. lol give it a shot she might like it she might not but what have you got to lose lol.
brandi-sparta Wi
on Mar 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Welcome Back Jennifer!!
It was so good to see you on TV this morning, but I’m sure it was hard for you too. I have so enjoyed this, and like someone else said, I to hope you continue this. You have a wonderful family, and thanks for sharing with us. Take care and rest when you can.
Diane