12 weeks old

Dear Jorie,

This is a very special week. This week you are 12 weeks old, although your Three month birthday will be next Tuesday on the 11th. This is also my last week before I go back to work.

We have made all the arrangements for your care during the day, Your Dad is going to stay home two days a week, you will be going to your Great Aunt Ruth's two days a week, and one day a week you'll be at your Grandma and Grandpa O's for five hours (since I go in late that day.) Your Great Aunt Ruth refused to take the $160 a week we offered to pay her, and would only take $100 a week, which is great news for Your Father and I. We were budgeting for the $160, so we'll have an extra $240 a month in the budget.

We still have to get a few things that will go with you wherever you are: a base for the car seat for your Great Aunt Ruth's car, a bottle warmer for your Grandma and Grandpa O...but for the most part you are all ready to start being a social butterfly.

I'm the one that's not quite ready. The closer we get to the day I have to go back to work, the less I want to leave you. I've gotten used to the rhythm of our days together. The time and space to just sit with you and hold you. Having you with me always. I'm incredibly sad about the fact that this time together is ending so soon.

I know that this will be good for you, in every way. You will get time to bond with your father, with your grandparents, and with your Great Aunt and your fathers Cousins (who absolutely adore you.) Me being back at work puts more money in our bank account, which lets us live comfortably, and have our amazing big house. My job gives us health care, so you can see the doctor when you need to. It gets me out of the house so I don't turn into a hermit.

The other reason I'm sad about this time ending is even more selfish. I really like having the free time I've had, and am not looking forward to trying to get everything done around my work schedule. I've been writing again, I spend a few hours each morning working on some writing, and I know that it's going to suffer when I go back to work. I'm also sad because of all the things I didn't find the time to do, like working on more artwork. There is artwork I want to do for your room that I've still not gotten around to starting.

These letters to you will become even more important, I think, once I go back to work. This will be where I can share with you all the things that go into my day and week. The place where I can make sure you know how much I love you and miss you when I'm not around you.

You keep getting stronger and more amazing every day. I know I say that a lot, but it's true every time I say it. You're not just on track developmentally, you're ahead of the game. Our little Genius Baby. You grab things and put them in your mouth, you smile and laugh and babble. You haven't rolled over yet, but you can sit up as long as we prop you, and you can support yourself on your legs. You stick your tongue out and then laugh. You grab your blankets and pull them over your face, and sometimes use them to kind of push your binky back into your mouth. You suck your thumb, although I think Your Father and I have managed to keep that from becoming a habit.

I love you Baby Girl.