Going back to work?!?!

[HeatherW]

It's now that time that I must return to work.  I'm having mixed emotions about the whole situation, and if anybody has some comforting advice feel free to leave some. 

I found a job at the same place that Rob works at, basically doing the same stuff I did in the Air Force, just for a lot more money.  Lord knows that with me not working money is tight, so we could use the extra income...especially with the holidays coming up, and us wanting to take Vanessa to Disney World in May.  This was just something that fell into my lap, and really is too good to pass up.

 I've always enjoyed working, and to be honest, I'm getting a little bored with staying at home all day long.  Don't get me wrong, Vanessa keeps me more then busy, and I'm so lucky to have been able to stay at home with her...I love it, but I find that I'm more lazy and have less energy since I've started staying at home.  I miss going out and socializing with different people throughout the day...having my "work friends". 

On the other hand, I've been staying home with Vanessa since she was born...that's a little over 2 years.  I always imagined that I wouldn't go back to work until she started school, so I feel a little guilty of leaving her with a sitter all day while I'm at work.  I feel like I've taken advantage of the time I've spent at home with her, and now that it's ending I'm thinking of all the extra things I wish I would have done with this time.  I just keep thinking of the little bit of time Rob gets to spend with her between the time he gets home from work and the time she goes to bed...and it's not that much time.  I'm going to miss out on our "learning time" we have together, and story time, lunchtime, and naptime.  I won't be able to pick up and take her to the zoo, the library, or the mall for McDonalds and the play zone.  This truly is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. 

The wonderful lady who will be watching Vanessa happens to be my best friend, and Vanessa and her daughter are best friends.  That makes things easier...to know that at least she'll be in good hands and get enough attention and TLC.  I know that in the end everyone involved will benefit from this...I just wish it wasn't such a hard choice to make.