Ok....so I organized my coupons and I'm rather pleased with the end result. They are categorized well for our needs and even somewhat by location in the store, but since I primarily shop at 2 different stores I couldn't do that part perfectly. I have a few things I need to run to the store to get today and I looked at my list and grabbed the appropriate coupons and placed them in the front. Since this is my first trip to the store with my new organizer I'm curious to see how well it functions and how much I save in one trip. Update: I saved $7! Not too shabby!

I also finally ordered a glider for Elyse's room. We have a rocker in there now, but it's mostly wicker and rather old. I tried my best to not get a new chair, but this one just isn't cutting it. The cushion constantly slides out from under your bottom and before you know it the entire chair has slowly scooted back and you're rocking against the wall. I'm looking forward to the smooth gliding, the fact that it swivels, and the fully upholstered aspects of the new one. It should make rocking and reading to Elyse more comfortable for everyone. I doubt you will ever get me to admit that it's worth what it cost, but things seldom are these days. Now the debate will be if we would like to get the ottoman that matches.

Speaking of Elyse, I will be officially staying home with her as of yesterday. I finally put in my 2 weeks notice since my 12 weeks of FMLA will be up soon. I don't think it surprised anyone I worked with, but I couldn't do it any sooner in order to take advantage of the short-term disability the hospital provides. I must say it was a genuinely bitter-sweet moment and I became a victim of the "grass is always greener" syndrome. I am so thankful and ecstatic to be able to be a stay at home mom and I can already see what a wonderful job it is and I feel truly blessed to be doing it. On another note, I'm going to miss that job and my co-workers. They had become like family to me and I honestly loved that job. Many of my friends called me a work-a-hoilic and I know I'll miss the "breaks" it would provide. Why can't I stay at home when I want and go to work if I feel like it, but not really be required to? That's where the grass-is-greener syndrome comes in....there are days I feel cooped up and limited by the things I can do because I have a new baby and we're living on one income. I don't have the ropes figured out yet and I probably never will, this is all a new mind-set for me and I'm still getting used to it. Parts of me would really like to return to work part-time as an outlet and for extra money. Truthfully a teeny portion of me resents that I can't. It's just not possible with Matt's travel and my long hours...no daycare is open from 5am to 8pm which is how long she would have to be there if Matt was out of town and I was scheduled to work. We don't have any family nearby to consistently watch her while I worked and private in-home childcare is too expensive, so you see, I have to stay home. On the flip-side, I shudder at the thought of leaving her in someone else's care like that and I'd be a mess if I had to. I love never missing a thing and knowing that I'm always here with her and for her offers such a sense of indescribable peace. I can't even imagine it any other way. I once again want to have my cake and eat it too. I think I'll actually be able to achieve it once MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) resumes in September and I can join. I'm really looking forward to that. I will also stay working PRN (twice a month) at UCH which should give me my work outlet and maybe even a little extra money. I just may have figured out a way to have the best of both worlds....we'll see how it goes.

I loved caring for those tiny, fragile babies who didn't get the start their families dreamed of. Parents interview pediatricians, baby-sitters, and research car seats, but they had no choice when it came to me caring for their little one in such a tender state during such a difficult time and it was something I never took lightly and vowed that I never would. It was an honor to be an uninvited guest in each and every family unit for however long that baby was in our NICU. Some were there for months and you couldn't help but become attached and grow close to those babies and their families. I loved it. I loved seeing them grow stronger each and every day and finally get to go home with mom and dad. I loved getting the post-card photos, email updates, and getting invited to first birthday parties where the babies had transformed into thriving toddlers. Sure there were hard times and not so happy endings, the hours were long and my feet hurt a lot...but what job doesn't have the good and bad, highs and lows?

As amazing as that job was, I'm called to one far greater right now. I worked in NICU's for over 7 years and took care of everyone else's kids, now it's time to care for my own. This job will have highs and lows as well, but the payoff will be immeasurable.