Mommy's returning to work

Dear Khoa & MaiAn,

Mommy's first day back to work for Little Sister was very rough, so much that it broke my heart. Daddy said that you resisted the bottle and cried a whole lot without much sleeping. He had to drop a syringe of breast milk into your mouth while you cried. You fell asleep by yourself at night probably due to exhaustion/hunger and woke up every three hours to feed from Mommy. One conclusion for sure is that you are very stubborn. While I was at work, my mind was completely preoccupied with the thought of both of you at home. My workday was easy, but I know Daddy's day at home is rough. Big Brother also cried when I was preparing to leave work, which made me cried as well.  These days are so tough for Mommy - I wish that things would not be this bad. I keep thinking that I should have just taken leave without pay and stay at home with both of you rather than returning to work. It is such a hard decision and I feel so much guilt for being away when you are both so young.

Daddy said he felt frustrated with Big Brother's resistance to nap too and you vomited when crying after Daddy forced to lie down and sleep. I am not sure how Grandma will fare when she has to watch both of you herself. You seem to take Mommy's leaving for work easier than Little Sister. You clung to me when I got home and we had fun taking a bath together and getting ready for bed.  At night though, you still call out to Mommy to be held. Daddy said that you ask where is Mommy during the day and said that you miss Mommy but you do not cry (like you used to).

Today is Saturday so Mommy and Daddy stay home with our precious prince and princess. Daddy took care of Big Brother mainly and Mommy took care of Little Sister. You didn't sleep that well today despite having Mommy all to yourself. You keep waking up after half an hour even though I try to walk you in the park, held you in the Moby, or slept with you on the bed. You must be having a tough time realizing all these changes after knowing the security of Mommy 24/7 throughout the entire life. There were five total cat naps today, but only up to 3.5 hours. Mommy put you to sleep for the night at 6 and you have been sleeping soundly for almost six hours. Hopefully, tonight will be a good one for all of us.  Because you didn't sleep that well and that much, you are not quite your happy self. Mommy and Daddy tried to give you the bottle to help you adjust but you just simply refused again.

Big Brother had so much fun hanging out with Daddy, who took you to so many places like the grocery store, Popeye, Jamba Juice, Target. Because you were out and about, you were so excited and all smiling. Daddy put you to nap late, so you ended waking up from your nap late, and didn't settle for nighttime until 10pm (yikes).  You continue to fight naptime so much, despite Mommy's and Daddy's begging. You have mastered the song "con chim non" and can sing it all by yourself now. Today, you learn the song "tet tet tet" in preparation for Vietnamese new year coming up. Your voice singing and expression/acts are just too darn cute. Mommy will try to capture it on video for memory soon. Our family had a little concert in the bathroom tonight while Daddy was giving Little Sister a bath - it was quite cute with Big Brother and all his famous hits. Tonight, you are not sleeping that well - must be stuffy nose from the cold season.

Here is to better days ahead with more adjustment and not rebelling :)  Sending Love and Kisses to my prince and princess.