Babies at Work

So, I went back to work last week. Those three months just flew by and it was hard making the transition back to work. The hardest part is just getting up on time, getting the kids ready, getting myself dressed (especially when no clothes fit), taking Owen to school and getting myself there on time. The mornings are just exhausting! Luckily, I am working only 3 days a week in the office and 2 days from home, which helps. But the good news is, I get to bring Adler to work with me until she is six months old!

While I was pregnant I helped the Nevada State Health Division write a policy that allows new parents to bring their babies to work until they are six months old. Other states are doing this and our Administrator was excited about offering this benefit to his employees. There were 5 women pregnant this year, so we are all piloting this new policy. If it all works out, it will become a permanent policy (no pressure).

Last week there were three babies in the building (the other two will arrive in early 2010). Adler did really good. As long as I carry her often and feed her when she's hungry, she's a happy baby (and it's so nice to not have to pump and to just be able to nurse her. What a relief)! It was kind of chaotic because I'm also in the process of moving offices, so it should be easier once I'm settled in my new desk and get a routine down. I was also worried about how my fellow employees would would react to the babies, but so far everyone seems really supportive and excited to have the babies there. Adler makes people smile.

Here's my friend Tasha multi-tasking with Adler.

This is my friend Karen and her baby Richard at her desk.

Here we are in my new office space, exhausted from the move!

I'm planning to take lots of pictures at work, so we can eventually promote this policy in other state divisions. More pictures to come......