big changes

There are lots of big changes coming our way....

If you follow my blog and/or know me personally, then you know that I plan to return to work in September.  That leaves me with one full month left on maternity leave.  Well, I decided a while ago that I probably wouldn't be going back.  You see, I love being home with Trent and Claire so much - more than I ever thought I would - that I can't imagine taking them to some lame daycare facility every day.  Of course saying I'm not going back  to my full-time job is easier said than done.  Losing a good job with good people and good benefits and good career growth isn't an easy thing.  I thought long and I thought hard about it and in the end I decided I'd rather see T & C smile and play and scream and cry than lose this time I have with them.  I spoke with my boss today and informed him of my decision.  I wanted to tell him before I put it on my blog because I didn't want him to hear it from anyone but me.  Being a father of 5 sons he completely understands  where I was coming from.  We promised each other that he'd call me if they ever got so busy that they needed me 2nd shift (which would be my ideal situation), and I'd call him first if I ever decide to get back into that field. 

Last week I called daycare to let her know Trent would not be returning and that Claire wouldn't be joining her.  She didn't take the news all that well.  Trent and Claire are 2 paychecks she was relying on - now she has to find 2 other paychecks, i mean kids.  Whatever.  She should be grateful I gave her 6 weeks notice.

Now I am officially unemployed.  I'm kinda relying on my mom to get me a job where she works, but there are no guarantees.  I've pretty much put all my eggs in that one basket, and if that lead falls through I really don't know where I will try to get a job - I'm pretty picky (which I know I shouldn't be).  I have one month to line something up.  Wish me luck!

Save My Spot

Welp, I talked to my big boss earlier this week and warned him that I plan to take five months off work for maternity leave!!  I haven't mention this on my blog (or to anyone other than Kevin and one friend) for 2 reasons.  One, I didn't want to risk word spreading and my coworkers learning of my intentions before I had to chance to talk to my boss.  And two, I didn't wan to jinx myself - which I obviously could be doing right this instant. 

If I end up having the baby early my plans will change - maternity leave will be cut short - but as of right now the plan is for me to have the baby right on schedule and take 5 months off work!! 

The boss seemed to take the new fine.  I think I took him by surprise if nothing else.  I opened our conversation with "I want to give you as much notice as possible...".  He probably thought I was going to say I wouldn't be returning to work after I have the baby.  But who knows.  Our company is slow right now so my being gone might be a good thing for them. 

start of maternity leave

Anonymous asks: Do you plan to work up until your due date? If so, Have you considered stopping work a lil early to spend your last week with Trent as an only child?

Answer:  As of right now I plan to work right up until my due date.  I have considered stopping work early but as of right now I do not plan to do that.  I'm thinking I won't work past my due date, so if March 29th rolls around and I am still pregnant I will probably stay home with Trent until I do go into labor (or am induced, whichever comes first). 

maternity leave #2 length

Anonymous asks: Do you think that you will be able to take 4 mos. Maternity leave this time around? Also, is there any way that you could work from home to stay out longer?

Answer: We plan for me to take as long of a maternity leave as humanly possible. Realistically, however, it's looking like it will only be 3 months long. Anything longer than 3 months and I have to start paying for my monthly health insurance myself, which was $550 per month a year ago (it may have increased since then?!). So, as of right now we're planning on nothing less than 3 months, but hoping for as long as possible. We won't know exactly how long we will be able to afford until after the new year. I will be sure to update everyone when the time gets closer.

As for working from home. The job I do CAN be done from home. It would take some coordinating and I might have to stop into work on occassion for 5 minutes, but it is do-able. The downer is that the owners of my particular company are totally against it. It sucks.

guess what Mr. Boss Man....

Alicia Asks: How did breaking the news about BBJ at work go?

Answer: As far as I could tell, it went well. I told my head boss early on so that he knew why I was missing time from work. I told him via email and he responded that his lips were sealed. We didn't really discuss it. My immediate boss was very happy for me/us! These gentlemen have 5 and 4 kids of their own (respectively), so they have a family mindset in addition to the business mindset. The rest of my coworkers....well, most of them said the standard "congrats".

How my bosses really feel is anyone's guess. What they talk about (concerning my pregnancy) behind closed doors is unknown to me.

In January I plan to sit down and talk to my big boss about maternity leave. With the poor economy and with me taking two maternity leaves so close together they may or may not treat this maternity leave the same way they treated the last one (as far as pay and holding my position). I can only hope they will keep everything exactly the same.

with only 4 months left....

Anonymous Asks: what are your plans as far as child care with baby #2? do you plan to continue to work full time and put both children in daycare or will you decide to stay home or will you work part time? if you plan to continue to work full time, will the new baby go to the same child care as Trent? also, while you are on maternity leave will you continue to take your son to day care or have him stay home with you and the new baby? also, what ways are you preparing Trent for the new baby? do you think he understands the "baby brother" "baby sister" concept?

Answer: As of right now:

~ I will continue to work full time and have both kids in daycare.

~ Baby #2 will go to the same daycare as Trent.

~ I'm not 100% sure what we're going to do with Trent when I am on maternity leave. On one hand, if we send him to daycare everyday that will give me a great opportunity to bond with the new baby and focus 100% on the baby. Not to mention daycare may not hold his spot if I pull him out for 3-ish months. That is something I have yet to talk to his daycare provider about. On the other hand, if Trent stays home with the baby and I, it will give Trent time to really adjust and bond with the baby. It will also save us a ton of money. On yet another hand, keeping Trent home for 3 months then sending him back to daycare may be a hard adjustment on Trent (from both standpoints: pulling him out. sending him back). And on a 4th hand, will I actually wake up each and every morning and actually drive my son to daycare when I have a 1, 2, 3+ week old in tow?

~ So far we have done very very little to prepare Trent for the new baby. Occasionally I will say "baby" when he's looking at my tummy with that "time ease up on the donuts mom" look on his face. From the beginning we've been trying to teach Trent was "gentle" means when it comes to our dog, and I think that might help for when the baby arrives. When I was putting together the new crib and Trent was in the room with me, I was telling him how this crib was for his future sibling, etc. But really, I don't think he understands what any of it means. Some parents will use a babydoll as a training tool before they have a newborn, but I just think he's too young right now - maybe I am underestimating Trent all together. If anyone (Chrissy) has any advice on this subject, please let me know.