It’s always been really important to us to have Parker around other kids her own age. When I was working, I applied for group day care as soon as we got pregnant and was promptly put on a long wait list. J Now that I’m home with her, I make sure everyday we have a play date, group class, park visit or story time to attend.  Parker is one social butterfly…as long as mommy is her wing man.  So this co-op is a new experience for her.  Two hours two times a week, sometimes without mom.

Leading up to the big day, I talked about how much fun it was going to be, how many friends she’d make, that she’d get yummy snacks and that I’d come back to pick her up when it was all done.  Today, my adorable 16 month old toddler popped out of her stroller, sippy cup in hand and walked into her first day of cooperative playgroup without glancing back at me.

OK, she eventually looked to see if I was still there, but she was a natural!  It was mom who felt awkward.  I guess I should have been giving myself pep talks.  I didn’t know what to do with my empty hands as I walked home.  And once I got there, the silent house felt strange.  I still raced through my shower just in case I got the call she needed me and after I cleaned up her breakfast, I didn’t know what to do.  I had had fantasies of what I would do with these two hours to myself but they were all failing me now.  Apparently, this co-op experience was new for me too!

When I went back to pick her up, she was happily involved with some friends and it took her a minute to see me.  When she did, she threw her hands in the air as she ran over to me breaking the silence of my past two hours with new sounds that were music to my ears, “mama mama mama!”

-Jolynn is a Sitter2mom, fitness professional, and mother of Parker. Her and her husband moved to D.C. about a year ago from the big city! 

I just made my first solo trip since my daughter was born, and if it wouldn’t have required a complete packing overhaul involving a much larger suitcase and waking her up in the middle of the night to get her things, I probably would have given into my nerves at the last minute and taken her with me.

In my daughter’s 15 months on this planet, I have left her overnight with her grandparents just one time and my husband and I couldn’t get home fast enough we missed her so much.  However, that time my husband and I were just a quick 50 minute drive from home.  This weekend I needed to fly hours away….there would be no quick return if I missed her, if she had a meltdown or worse, an emergency.  What’s more, in her first few months of life I was working so she was used to me leaving now and again. Now I’m a stay at home mom so she is with me all the time!  And let’s be honest, I’m with her all the time.  I was just as worried about myself as I was about her.

The truth of the matter is, I was attending a funeral…not ideal for a newly walking toddler who explores everywhere and comments on everything, we have also just made the tricky transition from two naps to one and sleep timing is critical right now so not great for a weekend of time zone changes and travel during bed times, and she is cutting THREE molars.  It just seemed a better idea for her to stay at home with my husband on her turf with her schedule in tact.

Let me tell you, it turned out to be a fantastic idea for everyone!  My husband and daughter had a wonderful weekend together going to parks, playrooms, and restaurants, on walks, shopping for flowers and simply hanging out at home.  These three days of uninterrupted daddy/daughter time were particularly priceless because he works such long hours that he sometimes doesn’t get to see her for days in a row.  The first thing he said to me upon my return is, “Our daughter is amazing.”  Of course he already knew this, but being the only one with her all day long allows you to take in every magical moment.  And those moments are non-stop.  So for me, this weekend was about pausing.

I learned that no matter how much you love your child, a little break can be a good thing.  On the plane I read magazines that had been collecting dust by my bed for months, I ate meals before they were cold, I worked out in the hotel gym, I had conversations with adults, I wore a dress with heels and makeup and I even stayed out past 7pm one night!  I also talked non-stop about my daughter, showed her pictures to people, pumped every six hours and video chatted with her each day.  I missed her like crazy, but I took advantage of my mommy time.  It was a little recharge that every mom can use.  So while I now understand the hesitation to take some time alone, I also understand the benefits.  And when my little peanut woke up an hour earlier than normal on the morning I returned home, there was no waiting to see if she fell back asleep, I ran right in and hugged her….I don’t think either of us could wait a minute longer!

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. Her first child, Parker,  just turned a year old this January. Jolynn, her husband Rob, and Parker recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.

I was prepared for the countless hours scouring Pinterest for first Birthday party ideas. I knew I would spend several late nights making decorations.  I figured that I would drive myself crazy looking for the perfect “1″ candle. But I did not expect the tidal wave of emotions that came over me that day (those days, really) surrounding her birthday.

I was happy to be celebrating such a big milestone, but I realized my baby was becoming a toddler and that made me sad too. Of course, I want her to grow up, but I also want my baby.  I love holding her in my arms and giving her a thousand kisses a day, it’s fun to feed her and watch her reactions, and the best part of my day happens when we dance around the room to Disney show tunes. I know that very soon, she will not let me do these things because with a toddler, comes fierce independence. I also know that’s the goal….an independent, fantastic adult human. It’s just that I love this time we’re having now and I never want it to end. I also can’t wait to bake cookies together and make crafts and watch her dance in her first recital. I know there are amazing things ahead, I’m just feeling nostalgic for the amazing times we’ve had.

Happy First Birthday baby girl!!

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. She just had her first child, Parker, with husband Rob last January. She and her family recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.

It was so wonderful to watch her experience something new and REALLY savor each moment.  She was focused on nothing but her new treat and the person who was supplying it.  It made me wonder what my life would be like if I could be so present in each moment instead of always looking ten steps ahead.  What if we all didn’t bring our phones everywhere so we could talk, text, email or manage social media 24/7?  What if instead of taking pictures of our lives and posting about them, we just lived them?  I am just as guilty of this as anyone and I LOVE sharing photos of Parker, so I’m not preaching. I’m simply wondering what if…  I know adults have more responsibilities than infants so we multitask.  I get that our longer lives have given us more experiences to flood our minds with thoughts.  But sitting across from my little girl in her high chair, I wondered what it felt like to be so thrilled with such simple pleasures and if I could be present enough to realize it….and then Parker proudly showed me her stash of cottage cheese in her mouth.  I stopped wondering.  I did take a picture of her though

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade. She just had her first child, Parker, with husband Rob last January. She and her family recently relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.