PATW

About two and a half weeks until I take my first business trip without Rhea. I am very excited to go to the Public Affairs Training Workshop in Nevada. As both a broadcaster and print journalist in the National Guard it is odd that my skills in these areas have atrophied. I find myself doing more office work and lacking the time to devote myself to the more artistic side of my career. I keep lists, answer media queries and send out new releases. These things aren’t fun. I love my job but I am frustrated that I’m more reactive than proactive. So I’m embracing the PATW. This is a chance for me to really focus on the weaker side of my skill set. I am more than sad that I’ll have to leave Rhea for the four days. A part of me is very upset about this because I will miss her terribly. Another secret part of me is excited. I love being a mom, more than I ever thought I could, but this will be FOUR DAYS of uninterrupted showers. I will be able to sleep in!Holy cow poop, what am I going to do with myself? Also this will be a chance of Erik to bond with his daughter. By bond I mean be solely responsible for her health and well being. I’ve already warned the in-laws that they will offer limited assistance or face my wraith. Not that I want him to have a bad time, I just want him to fully immerse himself in parenting. I won’t be there to micromanage everything and I’m excited to see him really be present. I usually handle90% of Rhea’s care. (Because I am a tiny bit of a control freak…) So What? I also will probably have a mental breakdown while I’m gone because he doesn’t wash her hair the way I do. I know I’m ridiculous. I would have been more excited if they had been able to come with me but this isn’t bad either.