Goodbye to my life as a stay-at-home mom

I'll just come out with my bittersweet news. I found a job. Actually, a job found me. Just when I was starting to get back into the groove of being a stay-at-home-mom, now that I have more energy and am feeling comfortable with two kids, I got a call about an open position at an organization I interviewed with some time ago. After one interview, the job was mine.

The thought of when and how to reenter the paid workforce never leaves the subconscious of those who stay home with their children. I wasn't sure when the "right" time to go back to work would be. When Chris finishes school? Simply when Soren is a little older? When the youngest enters kindergarten? Even if I had my time as a stay-at-home mom perfectly planned out, there's always that fear that I won't be able to find a job when I want to go back. What if my skills aren't considered current or employers are turned off by a large gap in my resume? So I was thankful my new boss took a chance on me. Even though my youngest isn't yet sleeping through the night, when a job offer landed in my lap, I decided it was the right time to accept.

Given the economy and, particularly, the dwindling number of jobs in the public sector, a job offer is exciting news. But like I said, it's bittersweet. Accepting means that I will have less time with my kids and the wonderful friends who've been a part of my daily life since Oliver's birth. Yes, change is scary, but at the same time it is exciting. So I'm transitioning to this next stage in my life with an open mind and am focusing on the positive aspects.  I will be getting back into my field and learning new skills at a job that will be as conducive to a work/life balance as a full-time job can offer and Oliver and Soren are able to attend a well-run daycare where they can meet other kids. 

A homecoming

October 14 has become like a homecoming for our family. Two years ago today we moved into our current home. The date also happened to be Oliver's due date, except that he surprised us with an early arrival. This afternoon we brought a new baby home from the hospital. Soren Andrew Partenheimer Chesla was born on Tuesday, October 11 at 12:16 a.m. just up the road at United Hospital. He measured 20 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces. We spent our days at the hospital in awe of this new little person. But at home and together for the first time as a family, today marks the beginning of the rest of our lives with each other.

As someone who doesn't post photos in my blog entries, even of my kid, I'm a rarity among mommy-bloggers. This time, though, I'm taking a break from writing and will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Class of 2014

Two thousand fourteen is the year Baby P.C. will graduate from preschool and head on to kindergarten. Chris and I are already looking forward to photographing the little tyke with new lunchbox and an oversized bookbag on the first day of school, as our proud parents had done with us.

However, 2014 is also the estimated year Chris will finish his MBA from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Yes, he was accepted! He's also just relieved to have the GMAT and the application process behind him and is looking forward to being a student again, even if continuing with a full-time job means the program will take longer to finish. But as he talks about different directions he could take his career with an MBA, it's heartening to witness him dream, and I couldn't be prouder of him.