Back to Work...With Lyle and Without

I have a small fear of daycare.  Maybe it was because I never went as a child, or because I had to inspect daycares as a part of my job, or because they are taking care of up to ten children by themselves when I know just how busy one child can keep you.  Whatever the reason, I really did not want Lyle to need to go to daycare once I went back to work.  Thankfully I have found other options.

Sleeping with Sandra at the front desk

My work allowed me to bring Lyle with me, ever since I returned from my maternity leave.  I will admit I was nervous about how well it would work.  I am a nurse at our local health department, and there are several times a day when I need to be in a exam room with a patient, without a little baby in my arms.  In my mind I started bringing him on a trial basis, and if it didn't work, I would find something else.  But I work with some amazing women.  And they all adopted Lyle, and helped me out more than I could have imagined.  When patients would come in, he would just switch hands and go play at someone else's desk.  My boss even had a little play mat and toys in her office for him. It made breastfeeding so much easier, being able to feed on demand rather than trying to figure out how often to pump.  There were challenges, especially on days he was cranky (he seemed to know it was a Monday like the rest of us!), or when we were really busy and his feeding schedule was disturbed.  Looking back, I am so glad I was able to bring him with me.  It was a comfort not leaving him with someone else when he was only seven weeks old, and I loved the extra time I was able to spend with him.

In his bouncy seat...he looks so unimpressed

Playing on his quilt in my office

I write all of this because yesterday was his first day with my friend Annie who will be watching him.  The timing worked out well, and she will be splitting time watching Lyle at her house and at ours.  She has a one year old son, and it will be good for Lyle to have someone to play with.  It made me happy to hear that when he got picked up yesterday, they were playing outside, looking at the chickens.  That's something he was missing out on here...being able to play and be outside.  I was sad though.  More sad than I thought I would be.  I miss my little guy talking and smiling with me throughout the day.  But it is good, and I am blessed.

Lyle playing with Eli yesterday

Meeting the Rest of the Family

It took about 6 weeks, but Lyle was finally able to meet the rest of his Aunts and Uncles!  It was great to spend time with family during those first few weeks-this little guy is well loved!

Auntie Kristen (lives in Arkansas)

Uncle Mike (lives in South Carolina)

Uncle Jeff (Senior at K-State)

Auntie Kodi (lives in Olathe)

 We met great Aunts and Uncles too, but unfortunately I don't have very many pictures of that!  I need to realize that even if other people have their cameras out, I need to be taking pictures too!  Their pictures don't end up on my computer quite as easily! :) 

Lyle Holden Bauer

First, let me apologize for not posting since Lyle was born.  It's been a little crazy, especially since I've been back at work.  I'll post a few catch-up posts, then go from there!

Lyle was born on April 23, on his due date.  I had given up hope that he would come on his own, and we had been scheduled to be induced two days later.  My water broke about 2:30AM and we got up to the hospital about 4.  Things went pretty quickly from there, and he was born by C-Section at 9:33AM.  He was 9blbs 12oz and just too big to come naturally!  The doctors had thought he might be big (a sonogram 1 1/2 weeks earlier predicted 8lbs 6 oz), but I think everyone was a little suprised at his size!

New Family!

Meeting Grammy and Papa Bauer

Meeting Uncle Than, Auntie Carrie, and Cousin Zoe

Meeting Grandaddy and Gigi Norris

I think this is my favorite picture!  We had newborn pictures taken in the hospital by the photographer there.  We were really happy with how they turned out!

 A little bit about his name....
Lyle was Zach's grandfather's name.  He was a wonderful man from all the stories I have been told.  We thought it was a great way to honor someone so special.
Holden is the name of the beach Kim's family used to vacation at each summer in North Carolina with her grandparents.  It holds some of her most precious memories and reminds her of her wonderful Nana and Papa.  


So Lyle Holden represents both sides of the family and just a representation of all the people we love!  We also liked the idea that he wouldn't have the same name as five other kids in his class! :)