Hi! I hope your new year is off to a great start! I’ve been at home for most of it trying to hold on to every moment with Mila before I have to go back to work next week. In case you’re new here… on top of running the blog I work in corporate America as a sales executive. I’ve worked there over 7 years now and it was my first “big girl” job out of college. It is a pretty demanding job so I’ve been having a little anxiety about going back. I took 12 weeks off (the most I was able to) and it’s flown by. I don’t know how some women go back to work after 6 weeks. 12 does not feel like enough and the thought of having to be away from her breaks my heart. These are the moments I wish I lived overseas where some countries get an entire year off for maternity leave! Wouldn’t that be nice, right…
I actually never thought I would feel this way. I am a very driven person and always pictured myself as a working mom. I figured by 12 weeks I would be ready to get back to work and get back into the swing of things but here we are and I’m not feeling ready. I’m looking at Mila right now while she sleeps and just the thought of being away from her for so long makes me want to cry.
I guess a part of me feels like I’ve kind of been working by still running the blog (that’s a full-time job in itself!). It’s like I am fulfilling that need to create and “work” without really having to leave the house which has been amazing. I have so many ideas and there is so much I want to share in this space. More than anything I want this blog to feel like a place where you can come to not only find inspiration but feel a sense of community and know that I am here to help in any way I can. Whether it’s style advice, motherhood questions, travel tips, etc., I hope you know you can ALWAYS reach out to me!
Which brings me to another topic…
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?
What kind of posts do you want to see here? Since having Mila I have received a lot of messages and emails asking different questions pertaining to baby. If there is something specific you would like me to write about or you are curious about, let me know and leave a comment below!
Another topic I get asked quite a bit about is my hair. Just FYI I am planning on filming a hair tutorial (finally) to share here. If you have any specific hair questions or topics you’d like me to cover, again let me know in the comments!
The focus of this blog is accessible style but as you may have realized, that now means more than fashion. I will always post new outfits, style tips, sale alerts, etc. as I LOVE all of that but I will also be sharing more LIFEstyle. From favorite products I use (or even new ones I discover) to recipes to Mila updates, etc. I plan on sharing more everyday life…
If there is a specific topic you’d like me to write more about, let me know! I know some of you are shy about leaving comments and prefer to email me and that’s fine! Always feel free to email me at hello@thefashionhour.com. I will always try to respond as soon as I can.
Anyway, I’ve totally gone off topic per usual. Feel free to leave any advice you have for going back to work after having a baby or words of encouragement (I need them!). The “oui” and “non” sweatshirt I’m wearing is on sale right now for under $36 (yes and no in french). I think it is adorable and kind of represents what I’m feeling right now ha. Sometimes I want to work and sometimes I don’t lol. Here are a few more shots of it…
I’m off to go snuggle with Mila. I’m making a point to do that as much as possible. I already feel like she’s growing up before my eyes! Looking forward to hearing your blog feedback!
Thanks for reading!
Beautiful booties! Here in the Netherlands we have six weeks before and six after.
That’s pretty similar to here! We get up to 12 weeks. It definitely does not feel like enough time! 🙁
Going back to work on a very demanding job it’s hard but if you set your hours and disconnect once you are out of the office I think will help. Also feeling comfortable regarding your babies childcare is key. I started following not to long ago and really like your style! Good luck! 🍀
Thank you so much for following!! I think you are so right about setting hours… this has always been a hard thing for me to do because I feel like I never really shut off from my day job or the blog but I am really trying to do that now. I think it’s important to try and dedicate your energy and attention to one thing at a time and I definitely don’t want to miss out on spending that quality time with Mila! Thank you for the advice and for reading! <3
It’s hard at first no matter what, but just know it really does get easier over time. With my first one I used to cry every night before I went to work. But like I said, time heals. And Mila will be just fine. Is she doing a nanny, family, or daycare?
I can totally understand that because I want to cry at the thought of leaving her for longer than a few hours too! I feel like it is a lot easier to handle for me right now because my husband is watching her while I’m at work (he works from home). We’re going to see how that goes before looking into daycare or a nanny. I think knowing she’s at home with my husband makes me feel a lot more calm than if I was dropping her off at daycare. Not that there is anything wrong with that! I just know I’d be anxious all day wondering if she was ok! But I’m sure like with anything it gets easier over time. 🙂
Good luck! The first week/month back is a mixed bag of emotions. You will feel them ALL…sad, scared, relieved, happy. It’s hard because nothing is as important as family and there will be tough choices you have to make, but there will also be days you are excited to go back to the office for some adult time when you aren’t thinking about naps and schedules and bottles. Just make the most of those moments you have with sweet Mila and take it one day at a time!
Ah thank you so much for the advice!! You are so right in saying to make the most of those moments and take it one day at a time. Anytime I think about it longterm it makes me anxious but I know if I just wake up and do one day at a time it will be far easier! Leaving her even for a couple of hours can be HARD but it is also nice to try and shut off “mom-mode” for a bit and also makes coming back home to see her that much more special! <3
Love your posts your so inspiring and cute. You make me feel like ok I could be a cute working mom when the time comes.
Aw that is the nicest thing ever!! I am so glad to hear that and am sure you will one day!!
Hey Nat! We miss our #1 at work! As you know I wouldn’t know the first thing about going back to work after becoming a new Mama, but you’re going to be awesome because you’re already awesome!!
Aww Taylor you are so sweet!! Thank you! Thankfully this first week back wasn’t bad since they didn’t have me completely up and running in the system but next week will be all the way 😬 hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of things quickly because I have a lot of catching up to do!! Hope all is well in Houston! <3
I follow along and have for sometime (we have Israeli husbands in common) 🙂 and TBH we are trying to get pregnant and I work in marketing in corporate for a retail company and am so overwhelmed at the thought of having a baby and then needing to leave him/her to go back to an office job. Trying to save up so I don’t have to right away when that happens, but it’s scary and a very real reality. Keep sharing how you juggle it all. Thanks for being a great Mom role model 🙂