All through Christmas I was reminded of a Mim, who last year was sitting in her bumbo chair having her first taste of pureed sweet potato at Christmas dinner.
This year she was snaffling stuffing out of the serving bowl before we'd even sat down to eat. Like father, like...
A minor example of the massive transformation she's under gone in a year. And not just Millie. I've gone from a sleep-deprived dairy cow with little but my name to connect me to the person that was there before, to slowly getting to grips with my new, infinitely improved but shabbily presented and slightly chaotic world.
In January 2012 I had just returned to work part-time. It was terrifying. Millie didn't sleep, I was still breastfeeding, and for the life of me I couldn't find an ounce of self-confidence or an item of work clothing that still fitted.
In January 2013 I have just returned to work full-time. Slightly less terrifying but no less monumental. Our daily routine is now military precision in timing and structure. So far, so good. Millie is loving her extra days at nursery and the daddies of South Manchester all seem to be on compressed working so Friday is now officially 'Daddy Day'.
This week, the little lady spent a frantic hour at Baby Gym, chasing cousin Freddie over trampolines and the like. I was kept regularly updated with pictures and videos which brightened my lunch time immeasurably!
Thing is, I've quite enjoyed being back because the new job is great fun. I work five minutes away from the good husband so its a family commute to nursery and then work. Then we all back up and head home together for a couple of hours of marauding before bed time.
Don't get me wrong, I still have the regular helping of guilt for being a selfish mother who is abandoning her child to nursery care, but this is offset by reminding myself that I am a nicer, happier and more balanced person to be around when we are together. I've slowly come to realise that there is no right or wrong way to do it, just your way and that will always be the best fit for you and your family.
So where will we be this time next year? I will have a two and a half year old on my hands and if the frequent flashes of independence and willfulness I have seen thus far are anything to go by, those hands will be very full. Better start reading up on toddler discipline now!
Good husband, pass me the gin...
