I can’t believe I’m going back to work next week. NEXT WEEK PEOPLE!! OMG I’m kinda freaking out. I remember the first few months of mat leave, I felt so weird, alone and kinda sad about the change. The change being… I wasn’t working anymore, my body was sore, I was tired and I was learning how to take care of this new little human that needed me. A huge part of me changed and that change was a little scary at first, but everyone told me it gets easier.
And yenno what… it does 🙂
I got used to the new routine and less sleep. I love watching Mikayla learn new things and develop. Everyday was she was showing me something new she had learned and discovered. Little steps like sitting up on her own, drinking from a bottle, eating solids, laughing, playing on her own and now taking her first steps. Each stage, each day is so fun with her. We don’t stop. We’re always doing something. Snacking. Walking. Discovering things. Playing. Meeting people. Shopping!
I grew up in Steveston 4 blocks from the dyke, near the mouth of the river where it opens up to the ocean. When we were kids, we’d race our bikes to the dyke, hit the gravel path and ride down it till we got to the beach. We did this every weekend in the Summer. All the neighbourhood kids, my brother and I. After school we’d jump ditches and catch frogs with our homemade frog catchers. The best ones were made of the big tin coffee tins nailed to the end of a 2×2 piece of wood. You just scooped up some ditch water, pour it out on the grass and checked to see what kind of live goodies you caught.
The 6 months we spent back at home with our parents after we sold our apartment have been the best. I am so glad we moved back. THANK YOU FAMILY! We were back in Steveston and there was someone home to help most of the time. We had a pretty solid routine since moving back here. We’d wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, play. Mikayla would nap, I would clean up and Zoey and I would sit on the front steps in the sunshine, drink tea, catch up on Insta stories and Facebook. Do a bit of laundry and get dressed. Since it’s Summer, I’ve been wearing a t-shirt, these shorts with this straw hat on repeat. I got this boho top at the Latest Scoop Warehouse Sale at Khatsalano Fest in Vancouver. It’s one of my favourites right now.
Going back to our routine… when Mikayla woke up we’d have lunch and go down to the river, throw a stick around for Zoey, play in the sand and just soak up the sun. Sometimes we’d walk into the village… or as my old neighbours used to say “head into town”, grab a coffee and do a little shopping.
I’m a little happy-sad about my maternity leave ending. I’m happy about going back to work, that feeling of change again and getting into a new routine. But I’m sad that my days with Mikayla where we just wake up and have no real plans are coming to an end.
It’s a bitter sweet time. But I’m looking forward to seeing what is next for us!
Photos by Neia Balao
Amanda’s Outfit: Hat: Roots | Top: Latest Scoop | Shorts: American Eagle | Sandals: Little Burgandy
Mikayla’s Outfit: Hat: Twinkle Bell Designs | Top: Carters | Shorts: Carters | Jelly Shoes: Old Navy
Amanda is a writer, photographer, videographer and a content creator with a passion for sharing stories. With her family of 5, they share experiences, tips and ideas that empower Moms to make memories with their families right here in British Columbia.
