And just like that…maternity leave is over. Although there were so many times that it felt like time stood still, I cannot believe how quickly it went. It feels like yesterday we were anxiously awaiting our second baby. Wondering what he would look like and how we would adjust to a family of four.

Our baby has kept us on our toes from the beginning. From arriving a few days late, that drove the planner in me NUTS. To having a head full of hair, his older brother had some but not like that! To eating ALL.OF.THE.TIME. Thankfully I am exclusively pumping or the little I do get done, would not even be a thought. He still is not a great sleeper like our toddler. Our toddler has always [well from what we can remember] been an amazing napper and overnight sleeper.

Last week, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post, my husband was home to help with the transition of going back to work. I opted to get my work email turned back on a few days earlier than originally planned. After thinking it through and talking with my husband it made sense to get back in the swing of things while he was still home. I would much rather be greeted with 1,000 emails on a Thursday working from home in my sweats, than a Monday back in the office.

I was anxious, literally I had a mini-anxiety attack Wednesday, before my work email was turned back on. The planner in me wanted to try everything I could to minimize the anxiety, so I figured we could “test run” our new routine even though I was working remote. Thursday my alarm went off at 5 a.m. and I rolled out of bed to start the day.

I was quickly met with news that our daycare was closed because there was an ice skating rink outside [midwest living at its finest]. My first day back to work and I was already looking at an uphill battle. This now meant I would be digging out of almost 12 weeks of email with my husband, baby AND toddler in the house.

At 6:05 a.m. it was decided my husband was on baby AND toddler duty so I could focus on digging out of emails. 6:15 a.m. we started off with eating a family breakfast. Our toddler spilled his milk E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. It was 100% because he was goofing off and not paying attention, so I was annoyed as I cleaned it up. By the time 7:00 a.m. rolled around, I thought I had missed my 8:00 a.m. meeting because it felt like 10:00 a.m.

For lunch our toddler requested eggs, toast and applesauce. Three things I could handle serving up, so I made my way to the kitchen. However, as I made my way to the kitchen I noticed something on my coasters [see blog post photo]. I stopped and thought, “Why do my coasters look like they have nipples?!” Our toddler had decided to decorate the coasters with Peppa Pig stickers. Placing one sticker in the center of each coaster. SERIOUSLY?! He also placed stickers all over the couch. There is a reason I hide craft supplies.

After lunch I had him wash up and get ready for naptime [BEST TIME OF THE DAY]. He told me he needed to go poop and to shut the door. I left the door cracked, as there is no way I would shut a door that he can lock. Three minutes later I walked into the bathroom to help him clean up. I grabbed the toilet paper and it was soaking wet. I asked him, “Why is the toilet paper wet?!” He said, “Umm…I don’t know?”

It didn’t take a rocket-scientist to know what had happened. While sitting down he decided to pee and not pay attention [notice a trend?] and it was like a sprinkler went off in the bathroom. Mainly on the wall and the roll of toilet paper. Once again I was annoyed as I cleaned up the bathroom. Moving forward my husband and sons will forever be on bathroom cleaning duty.

Thankfully, the afternoon was less eventful since naptime took up a good chunk of time. Once the day wrapped we were ready to make some dinner. While making dinner our toddler looked out the patio window and seemed a bit shocked with all of the ice.

He said, “What the hell?” My husband and I exchanged looks…did he really just say HELL?! He repeated, “Mom, what the hell?” I quickly corrected him, “Heck…we say HECK!” My husband looked at me and said, “I wonder where he learned that?” Honestly, it was probably from me and I took full responsibility. Ever since becoming a mom I have been trying to work on my swearing as I do not want to have “that kid” that has a potty mouth. Clearly, I have some work to do.

Luckily daycare was open on Friday so our toddler had plenty of time to play with his friends and get his energy out. Our weekend was spent prepping for the week and getting all of the cuddles and snuggles in. Our baby must know I am going back to work because he slept through the night. 9 straight hours! I hope he repeats that over and over again.

And now it is Sunday evening. I have had anxiety all day as I will be back in the office and our baby will start daycare. I have mixed emotions. I am sad that another chapter [maternity leave #2] has come to an end, yet happy because a new chapter is beginning.

I’ve never been a crier, but our second baby has made me a basketcase. I am sure tomorrow is going to be rough. If you run into me and I start crying, now you know why. Goodbye maternity leave.