Kraft-Heinz sponsored this post, but the opinions are my own.
Going back to work after Ben was born hasn’t been easy. After I had Blaire, I took a job that would let me work from home 3 days and commute to work 2 days/week. Being able to spend that extra time at home with her did SO much for me. I continued in that job until she was 11 months old, when I took a job working in an office Monday through Friday. By that time, it was hard to work from home because she was mobile and needed my attention all day. I would get frustrated with her for needing something just as I was trying to finish something up and it was a terrible feeling. She loved the other babies her same age at daycare, so I didn’t feel as guilty taking her to daycare full time once she was this age.
Fast forward to this spring when I had Ben. The company I’m at now is great, but I still only get the 12 week leave through FMLA. I wasn’t ready to leave Ben and go back to work at 12 weeks, so it’s been a struggle. During most of my maternity leave, Blaire was only going to daycare on Wednesdays. She loved being home with me and we made so many memories getting out and enjoying the summer with her new baby brother. To try to make my transition (a tiny bit) easier, I decided to use my PTO to take Fridays off, to have a third day home with them.
These Fridays are one of my favorite days together! Every single morning, Blaire starts off by saying Mom, can we just stay home today? and on Fridays, I get to say Yes!! and it starts our day off on a positive note… and then of course I say Can we go back to sleep for a little while? and when she says Yes!! it really is the best morning.
Most Fridays, I try to fit in some cleaning and laundry, so they don’t take up our weekend with Jason. But, every once in a while, you need a day when you just say Yes to your toddler and make it a day they’ll always remember. Below, I documented our Day of Yes with lots of yessies!
Our day started off with donuts for breakfast. We picked up the living room quickly – her opportunity to say yes to me ;) – before packing up our things for the pool. She chose mac ‘n cheese for lunch before we spent hours at the pool! Then, after we changed into our clothes, we had a snack break, complete with Capri Sun Fruit & Veggie Blends, before going on a family golf cart cruise! We had some funky weather, so the day started off warm enough for the pool and ended with us all in sweatshirts for our evening walk, after dinner (and ice cream!). Usually we push them both in the double stroller, and Blaire will hop out every-so-often. But tonight was extra special because she wanted to use the wagon, and we couldn’t say no. Plus, Ben even got in for the first time. He loved it! She even got to stay up a little later than normal, and then Jason laid in bed with her until she fell asleep… because, well, he couldn’t say no. ;)
I’m so happy we have Capri Sun Fruit & Veggie Blends juice to take with us on-the-go! The Fruit & Veggie Blends line has ½ cup of fruit and veggie juice in every pouch. It’s a perfect way to sneak in those fruits and veggies to your toddler. Blaire loves them! And I can easily feel good saying Yes! to her when she asks for it because there’s no added sugar. You can find it at Walmart in the juice aisle. Easy peasy.
How would your little one spend their Day of Yes? Blaire said it was the best day ever as she was falling asleep eating her dinner! If you decide to take the Day of Yes challenge, be sure to share your own Yessie and use #yessie!
Carol Davis
Love it that you spend so much time with the kiddies ! Jason too of course ! ❤️ The pictures are great as well ! ??