And we have lift off!

Today Cooper rolled over!! Chris text me the picture and also took video of the second time he did it. Yay for stay at home daddy who captures those moments so working mommy won't miss any of them!!! Here's the picture (obviously from a cell phone)`:



And in other great news, I got a raise at work!! Yep, I take four months off, get a promotion and giant pay increase, then I'm back for 2 days and I get another raise!! There is also an additional bump in my bonus for next February, another raise that will take place in October, plus another retention bonus offer in October (not that I care about that...we're still coming home). The industry is just crazy right now!!

First Day Back to Work

Yesterday was my first day back at work. I had a really great day and actually enjoyed myself! It was easier and more fun than I thought it would be. Everyone at work was really glad to see me. They asked about the baby and wanted updated pictures posted on the bulletin board. It feels great to be back, although I'm a little out of it on what's going on with everything. Four months is a long time to be gone and it's tough to switch from mommy to engineer right away. It will take a couple weeks, but I'm excited about my new position (I even get a new corner office with an ocean view!). Although I didn't do much at work besides make phone calls, attend meetings, and chat with people.

The most challenging part is figuring out how to juggle everything. The night before work I have to get my clothes ready, pack my lunch, and then pump (in case I run low during work the next day). Then before I leave for work in the morning I have to feed Cooper, pump so Chris has fresh milk to give Cooper at his next feeding and then pack my pump (and hopefully not forget any parts).

Once I get to work it's strange to have an entire day to get things done instead of trying to cram things in between taking care of Cooper. It's a little awkward to pump at work, but since I have a private office I can close the door, turn some music on and relax. It's a little difficult to schedule pumping around meetings and talking with coworkers, but I'm sure it will become second nature. I was able to pump about 5 ounces more than Cooper ate in the day. I'm very concerned about my supply dropping, so it's good that I can pump extra (silly concern since I seem to have an oversupply). I can also work during pumping since I have a 'desk job'. It's pretty easy to read reports and check email one handed.

When I get home I have to unpack my lunch and put away the milk. Cooper is usually napping or just going down for a nap when I get home. Then when he wakes up I get to spend all my time with him, while Chris prepares dinner. Yesterday we must have both been exhausted because I laid down with him for a short evening nap. I had planned on watching TV, while he cuddled next to me. Next thing I know it's an hour and half later and I'm trying to wake out of a dead sleep (as is Cooper). It was tough to get him to go to bed because of the long nap, so I'm going to try to avoid doing that again!

Chris said his day went really well. Cooper got a little fussy toward the end of the day and nothing would pacify him. Chris had to pace back and forth and finally he got so tired he zonked out right before I came home. Chris said he just seemed to miss me a little...the feeling was definitely mutual!

Earthquake!!

We had an earthquake today!  It was bigger than anything either of us have felt since we moved here.  The news says it was a 5.4 in Chino Hills, which is about 40 miles away.  At first it sounded like someone dropped something upstairs and then it sounded like kids running down the hallways.  Once I realized everything was shaking in the house and the building was swaying, I sat paralyzed on the couch holding Cooper and yelled OMG, it's an earthquake!

Chris comes out of the bedroom, calmly looks around, waits for it to stop and says, okay.  Then laughs!  Scout is running around the house panicked and my heart is beating so fast!  It only lasted about 20-30 seconds, but it felt like 5 minutes.  So today we will be working on an earthquake emergency plan.  Clearly, sitting on the couch with my baby in my arms yelling earthquake is not the appropriate response!

We're all okay, but I have to say out of the natural disasters I've experienced, I dislike earthquakes the most.  There isn't any warning and it takes a minute for you to realize what's happening.

Work Visit

I forgot to blog about the visit we took up to work.  Last week we went up to work so Cooper could meet some of my coworkers.  We went at the end of the day so we wouldn't disturb many people.  Everyone was so excited to see Cooper.  Many of them commented on how much he looks like both of us, but how he has my lips and eyes. One woman talked baby talk to him and he just looked at her like, 'You're weird.  You can stop talking like that now.'  She didn't seem to notice but Chris and I were laughing inside.  Near the end of the visit Cooper started getting hungry and over-stimulated.  He was on the verge of a melt down, so we left and went home.  All in all, it was fun to have my coworkers meet him.

I also forgot to blog about the bbq we went to a couple weeks ago.  Some friends of mine from grad school had a get together since one of our friends was in town from China and another was getting ready to move to New Jersey.  The main food was provided and we brought Lemon Trifle for dessert...everyone loved dessert.  We had a great time visiting and it was a very relaxing couple of hours with friends.  Cooper was very content and everyone couldn't believe how quiet he was.  It's nice to be getting out and spending time with friends again.  Here's the Lemon Trifle recipe if anyone wants it:

1 Angel Food Cake

1 can of low fat or nonfat sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp grated lemon rind

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

8 oz low fat lemon yogurt

8 oz light Coolwhip, thawed

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

1 cup fresh blue or black berries

1 cup fresh raspberries

Cut cake into bite sized pieces.  In bowl, combine milk, lemon rind, lemon juice and yogurt.  Fold in 2/3 of whipped topping.  In dessert bowl, place 1/3 of cake pieces in bottom of bowl, top with 1/3 lemon mixture, top with strawberries.  Repeat layers with blue/blackberries and then with raspberries.  Spread remaining Coolwhip over raspberries.  Cover and chill for 1-8 hours before serving.

Congrats to Heather and Jason...they found out they are having a baby girl!  We are so excited for them!!!

Ugh, I have a plugged milk duct.  No fun.  It's sore to let Cooper eat and my shoulder/chest sort of aches on that side.  I have a crazy over-supply, so Cooper never completely drains me (which helps prevent plugged ducts).  Hopefully the extra water drinking, ibuprofen, massage, warm compresses, and nursing/pumping focus on that side will help it go away soon.

Here are some cute photos Chris snapped of me and Cooper:

Fashion Show

As a little girl I used to love dressing up all of my dolls and barbies, just to see how many outfits I could make.  Now that I have a baby, I love to dress him up in all the cute and not so cute outfits just for fun.  So here's Cooper's fashion show.

Coming home outfit

Zoot Suit

First real clothes and not onesies or pj's

Just because it all comes in a package together, doesn't mean I have to wear it all at once.  Mommy laughed and laughed at me...so not nice.  Yeah, I wasn't laughing.

 

And since mommy can't take just one picture...

So you want me to sit here and look cute then?

 

Oh strike a bit of pose?

 

Okay mommy, I can strike a pose for you!

 

Okay, are we almost done yet?

 

Dude, enough with the camera already!