taking a break (aka working)

I'm a working mom. At least for a few weeks.

I have to admit, I feel a little guilty about being excited to go back to work for a bit. I certainly didn't quit to stay home with Lucy because I didn't like my job. In fact, I love my job. I love what I do. I love being creative. I love the pressure of getting a job done in an unrealistic, short time frame. Ok, I don't always love that part but, in general, I love what I do.

Mostly, I love being handed something and knowing exactly how to finish that task. There's a bit of calm in having confidence in what I'm doing. At work I don't fret about doing it right, or what to do next, or if I'm going to make a mistake and screw up a little person. (gotta love mom guilt). Yea, the mom job is the most important and challenging of all.

I have never felt so completely inadequate to perform a job as I do at this job of being a mother.

In the past, the thought crossed my mind that stay at home moms kind of had it easy. I mean, how hard can changing diapers, making lunches and playing with crayons and play-doh really be? I figured that, perhaps, stay at home moms didn't really have or want a careen to begin with (I know, that's a pretty ridiculous generalization). Oh boy, was I wrong. Many of the women that I know who have decided to stay at home have really toiled over this decision. Many are hard working, good money making, well educated women. This isn't an easy decision. Some women are called to be a full time mom early on. Some make the decision after realizing that juggling the two are too much to handle (like me). And some, I don't know how these super women do it, keep working. I continue to be impressed with women who have little ones at home and work. Two full time jobs.

But even though I have enjoyed these few weeks back at work, I am completely certain that I have made the right decision. When I'm away I feel like I am missing so much. These moments are flying by and it is hard to pay someone else to enjoy these moments instead of me.

I've got news!!!

Since I've been home with Lucy I've been working on getting back to my roots with art and design. I love retouching but something was drawing me back in to using paper, pencils, pens, and creating and designing interesting things. Once something like this pops into my head I can't seem to get it out and I become a woman on a mission. Except, this hasn't happened in a long time. I don't know for sure why now but I just felt like it was something I needed to do.

So, of course, I was looking for a way to make a little money on the side while I do this thing that has taken over a good portion of my brain and time. I started an Etsy store (lulu and ellie) and started working away on stationary designs. I was still working out my little business plan when I got this email early last week...

Sweet Baby Designs is thrilled to be looking for New Designers. We are looking for 3-5 motivated designers that would like to showcase their designs in our store!

I was thrilled. Beyond thrilled. I purchased Lucy's birth announcements from SBD and was very impressed with this company. So I decided to go for it. I had already been working on some designs so I finished them up and sent them off into internet land hoping for the best (but not expecting to hear anything). For all I knew they were getting thousands of applicants all of whom had worked for Hallmark. LOL.

Well....

I got this email on saturday...

Nicole,
Thank you so much for applying for a position as a Sweet Baby Designs designer!

We are thrilled to offer you a spot as one of our permanent designers! Your designs/samples were a wonderful showcase of your creativity and talent and we believe that you will be a wonderful fit for our company!

On Monday we will send you out a welcome packet/folder via email, which will contain a design schedule for December, Tips, Tricks & Guidelines for Design, our favorite font list, and a contact for your approval.

We are so excited to welcome you aboard and we can't wait to get to know you better!

Thanks,
Jaclyn Bernardo
Owner, Sweet Baby Designs

Yippee!!!


I got all signed in yesterday and have already gotten my first assignment for 10 new designs due in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted on when my work goes online!!!!


Oh, here are the designs I sent them....