Yesterday was my first day back at the office after maternity leave with Miss Lilly, pictured above. Shortly after a colorful 4th of July firework show on the Hudson, Lilly decided she too needed to see the lights of New York City. She made her debut on July 5th and since then each day has been a new and wonderful experience.

Lilly and I have spent the past three months becoming the best of friends. We sang sweet country songs to remind her of her family back in Louisiana. We learned to cook her daddy’s favorite recipes. We played dress up in far too many pink tutus. We strolled Central Park and watched summer turn to fall. After three months of our fairytale friendship, I headed back to the world of public relations in Midtown while she settled in to her first day of daycare on the Upper East Side.

My first day back at work was much like the first day of school. I woke up a few minutes before my alarm went off, had my first non-maternity outfit laid out and couldn’t wait to catch up with all of my old friends. Of course I couldn’t drop Lilly off on her first day without shedding a few tears though I shortly realized that this was a new beginning for her as it was for me. Each year that she grows and starts her first day of school, she too will wake-up on her own, pick out her favorite outfit and run to the group of friends she makes over time. Embracing new changes in life are exciting and yesterday we embraced the same experience together.

When walking into MMC it felt as though I had never been gone. That familiar feeling of creative energy flowing when you step off the elevator onto the shag carpet and retro design of our reception area was definitely present. I could not help but pause for a moment and feel thankful for the team that has supported me in my absence and allowed me to spend those precious three months with Lilly. The entire crew of MMC has been a tremendous support to me and my new family.

With lots of encouragement from my friends, co-workers and family, the day went off without a hitch. As a new mother, I felt more in touch with our client’s target consumer and Lilly came home all smiles from daycare. We spent our evening having one of our favorite Louisiana meals, laughing with daddy and catching up on snuggles.

Every girl learns one phrase early in life and that is “rinse and repeat.” Our next challenge is to leave each day behind and repeat the next as we get into our new routine.