Today is my last day of maternity leave. I have a lot of emotions about going back to work, the overarching one is sadness. I know that once we’re in a routine and I’m in the swing of things (luckily I do enjoy my job) that it’ll be a lot easier but right now all I can think about is how little time I’ll get to spend with Siena during the week. We’re pretty much attached at the hip so that initial separation will be tough! Either way, I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to take six full months off and I’m so glad I made the decision to extend my leave.
I spent the last week of my maternity leave on a road trip with Siena and Mike, which was a great way to end an amazing six months. We were definitely nervous to see how Siena would handle so many hours in the car, but it ended up going more smoothly than we thought. Being able to nurse anywhere really helped and we made sure to take some long pit stops so that she could stretch her legs after eating.
On Tuesday we drove to the Grand Canyon from San Diego, leaving at 4:45 a.m. (after Siena woke for her usual early morning feeding) and arriving at our hotel just outside the park at around 4 p.m. We made long stops for breakfast, lunch and for an afternoon walk and it went way more quickly than I would have guessed. Once we were checked into our hotel, we took Siena out in the Ergo to see the Grand Canyon at sunset. I was so glad that we left early so we could make it for sunset! Although the sky wasn’t colorful, the canyon itself was illuminated by the setting sun.
On Wednesday we headed to the park around noon and stayed until 5 p.m., walking the paved rim trail for about 10 miles total and enjoying lunch at a restaurant in the park. Although we really enjoyed seeing the views, both Mike and I were a little sad that we couldn’t spend any time doing any serious hiking while we were there. It was like going into a bakery for a day and just looking and never tasting – the trials were so close yet we couldn’t hike them! We ended up researching and plotting to do a rim to rim hiking trip over dinner (and beer) that night.
On Thursday we drove from the Grand Canyon to Scottsdale with a pitstop in Sedona for an hour long hike and lunch along the way. We saw my good friend Lana in the late afternoon and then arrived at Mike’s friend Brian’s house that evening and stayed with him and his family for the rest of the weekend along with another friend from college, his wife and their baby (who was born just days before Siena). The highlights from the weekend included a Padres/Giants Spring Training game on Friday night and a spa day for the girls on Saturday (thanks dads for watching the little ones!) but there were a lot of really fun moments (and yummy food) in between.
Besides a 10 mile long run that I did on Monday between Big Bear and Arizona, I didn’t run at all during my vacation. I brought my running clothes but with temps reaching the mid 90s in Arizona, Siena’s sleep schedule being thrown off resulting in more night time waking, and the fact that there weren’t any convenient running routes near our hotel or the house we stayed at, I wasn’t motivated enough to run. I also just wanted to spend more quality time with Siena and Mike and enjoy vacation. I don’t regret that decision at all and it’s definitely one of the perks of not making any lofty race goals.
However, I plan to start doing weekly training posts starting with this week. Even though I don’t have big scary race goals for my races this spring, I do want to put forth some good effort and writing it all down and sharing it helps keep me on track. Look for the first post early next week!
So here we go. The next phase of life starts tomorrow as I become a working mom. I’d be lying if I said I was ready.
Do you usually try to run while on vacation? Do you like road trips?
Looks like you had a wonderful getaway with Mike and Siena! A great way to spend your last few days of maternity leave 🙂
I’ll admit I’m not really one for running during vacations. It seems I’m in the minority since most runners I know love exploring during a run. But I prefer sleeping in, catching up on rest and spending time with whoever I’m traveling with. I figure running will be there when I return home!
Yeah I really can go either way. I’ve used running to explore a city but usually tend to just walk the city instead.
Oh man – it’s that time already. I’m sure it will be so tough but hang in there.
I always run while on vacation – sometimes more than others. I’m sure it’s a whole different ballgame with a baby though. 🙂 Sending you TONS of love and happy thoughts this week!
Thanks Kate!!!
I can’t wait to start running together more! It’s about 50/50 I run on a business trip and I usually opt for the treadmill out of pure convenience. Sometimes I lack the motivation to find new routes on my own. When on vacations, I usually just hike and find other ways to stay active!
I’m glad that you had a great vacation!
I hope that tomorrow goes well, I’ll be thinking about you!
Thanks Emily!
Good luck tomorrow mama!
Thank you!!!
Babies are always reaching for what mom and dad have… love those pictures! I can’t believe you guys made such a long road trip with Siena! How did she do in the car? Justin and I are planning on taking a road trip to Walla Walla, Washington next month (though, it’s only 4 hours away), and I’m curious if you have any tips now that you have made one…
I love that you left the babes with the boys to go have a spa day. Heaven.
Thinking of you this week as you go back to work. What kind of arrangements have you made for Siena?
She actually did really great in the car! She used to hate being in the car so we were scared but lately she’s much happier with a toy. There were a few times that I had to get in the back and entertain her or take a walk around the block since she wasn’t excited to get back into the car but mostly I sat in the front and she slept. I need to write a whole post about this, but my main tip would be to leave early in the morning since babies sleep best in the morning. We left at 4:45 a.m. (she woke up on her own to eat at 4) and she slept 3 hours for the first stretch without waking which gave us a lot of time to make serious progress (plus avoid rush hour traffic).
We’re doing daycare! It’s close to home and had good reviews. It was hard dropping her off. I really hope it gets easier!!!
Jealous you went to the Grand Canyon. I went to school in Flagstaff and I never went to the Grand Canyon!! 🙁 Looks like a fun trip!!! Great pics!!
Good luck being a working mom!! I’m sure it will be great!! At least you like you job. That will help i’m sure!!
You were so close!!! Haha it’s funny how you don’t do tourist things that are right in your backyard. I’m the same way!
Good luck tomorrow! For me the first two weeks for the hardest, but it does get better and feel normal. So be patient with yourself and hang in there!
Thank you!