New Gig

I spoke too soon. After posting that life back at work was surprisingly good, I had the worst week ever! Last week was my first full week back. It was also the first week I dropped Ella off with the babysitter. I cried everyday. It was awful. I couldn't believe all of the emotions I felt. On Thursday after school I was a wreck. I just couldn't stop crying. I finally ended up talking to my older sister Erin. She has 3 kids and works full time as a professor at BYU (impressive, I know). She has always worked so I knew she would be empathetic. It was really therapuetic to just sob and tell her how I was feeling because she was so understanding. I knew working after having a baby would be hard, but I had no idea. Don't get me wrong, I have the BEST babysitter in the world. The Madsens are an incredible family and I feel so blessed to have them watching Ella. I honestly couldn't imagine a better home for her to be in while I'm gone. It is just hard to leave her. There is so much adjusting at this point in my life. I know it will all get better because I will figure it out and get used to my new roles, but it will probably take awhile.
Last week Alysha and I also found out that we won't be able to do a job share. We were both really bummed, but we talked today and think we know what we'll do. I can't work full time. I am already struggling being away from Ella 4 hours a day. I also know that Jessica is the best person to watch Ella. They already love each other! Ella is in such good hands over at the Madsens. I trust them like they are my own family. The only way for me to stay at Meadow is to be the PE teacher. At first I was only interested in this because it would enable me to work part time at Meadow. Now after thinking about it I really think it will be a great job. Here are some of the pros (yes, I made a list when I was trying to decide what to do):

• I get to work part time (9-2 Tuesday through Friday)
• Ella will spend Mondays with me and Fridays with her daddy
• I will be working with all the students at the school
• Ella will be watched in the best possible situation
  
• I LOVED teaching PE to the first graders before that was a specialty
  
• Students love PE
• I get to wear sweats to work everyday
• Planning will be TONS easier
• I am only teaching one subject
• No report cards
  
• Easy parent teacher conferences (no parents will come to see me)
  
• I won't have to go to collaboration (all my teacher friends in Alpine District understand)
• I get to be more independent
• I still get to stay with all of my friends
• I don't have to set up a classroom
• I get to play games all day at work
  

Mrs. Gonzalez

On April 8th I went back to work. I will only be going back part time Monday through Thursday, but will be there all day Fridays. Gustavo was really sweet and took the week off so he could watch Ella to ease my transition back. Things went well for both of us. Ella was great for Gustavo Wednesday and Thursday, but they had a rough time on Friday. I must admit I was jealous about Wednesday and Thursday because he said he was able to play 2 video games (1 hour each) both days and I can never seem to get anything done. His Friday sounded like my usual days though so I was slightly relieved :) School was so much better than I thought it would be. I really enjoyed seeing all of my kids and colleagues again. I love Meadow! I love the people I work with and the students. It was so nice to get big hugs from my current students and kids I've taught previous years. I feel so loved at Meadow. My plan is to work part time next year. My good friend Alysha and I planned to do a job share in first grade and our principal agreed to it, but while I was on maternity leave she pulled Alysha aside to let her know she may not be able to afford it. We are both hoping and praying our principal can work it out because it is what we both really want. If I can't do a job share with her than I'll do anything else I can to stay at Meadow. If my principal can't keep me part time then I guess I'll have to find a position somewhere else. The thought of that makes me sick though! I really hope it will all work out. A job share with Alysha would be ideal. She and I have been working together at Meadow for 4 years. We have really similar teaching styles and are good friends. I would love to teach with her. Half days are great! It was so nice to leave at 11:40 Wednesday and Thursday. I felt like it was honestly the best of both worlds; I got to be at school where I felt so loved and appreciated and I also got to be at home with my baby who I love and adore. Friday was very long. I could NEVER do full time because that would tear me apart to be away from Ella all day. Fridays Gustavo is with her so that relieves my guilt, but I still hated it. I'm sure things will work out. They always do. I had so many people call and e-mail me to let me know they were thinking about me when I went back to work and to see how I was doing. THANK YOU! I appreciate all of you so much.

Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER

Two Month Appointment

We were excited to see how much Ella has grown, but not excited for her to get 5 shots at her 2 month appointment! Ella was having a rough afternoon and was crying when we got to the pediatricians office for her check up. I finally got her to sleep right before the pediatrician checked her out. Of course that woke her up so she started crying again. When the nurse came in to give Ella her immunizations I was very nervous. Gustavo set her down on the table and stayed right there so he could comfort her as soon as the nurse was done. We knew that she was going to get REALLY upset since she had already been crying so much. The nurse administered all of the shots in about 20 seconds-it was so fast and very impressive. Ella started to cry (and so did I- I hate seeing her bleed). Gustavo swept her off the table and she stopped crying within a few seconds. It was amazing! She is usually very hard to settle down so we couldn't believe it. She cried for no reason all afternoon and then when she had a reason to be upset she was fine! What a funny girl. She had a slight fever for about 24 hours after the immunizations, but she was really good. Honestly these past 48 hours have been the best I can remember for a long time. What a surprise! Here are her latest measurements:

Length: 23 1/4 inches - 90th percentile
Weight: 11 lbs 8 oz - 75th percentile
Head Circ: 38.1 cm - about 40th percentile

Birth Announcement

our big girl

Ella is getting so big! She isn't a newborn anymore. Last week she started fitting lots more of her 0-3 month clothes. I got so excited because she can wear her little jeans now! I have so much fun getting her all dressed up. We took her to the doctor last Wednesday and found out that she weighed 10 lbs. 14 oz. I measured her and she was about 23 inches long. I can't believe how fast she is growing. I used to think that those clothes looked so big and now they fit! I guess I'd better get used to it though.

I have really been looking forward to seeing Ella smile. On March 25th she gave me two big smiles! I was so excited. She still isn't smiling very often; probably once or twice a day. I can't wait until I see this happy face more often. I started taking pictures today and was very excited that this open mouthed grin was captured. She is such a cutie.

simply the best

There is absolutely nothing better than holding my sleeping baby girl in my arms. Every time I look down at her my heart melts. Motherhood just gets better and better every day!