My maternity leave officially begins Monday, Nov. 16, and I’ll be back Monday, Jan. 4.
Part of me is really looking forward to having six weeks off to focus on the baby. But, being someone who hasn’t taken more than 10 days off in nearly seven years, having six weeks off sounds like a looooong time.
OK, let me stop you moms out there now, I know it’s not a long time. But, this is my first time, so you have to realize that I have no idea what I’m really getting myself into. I mean, I have a vague, abstract notion of what six weeks off to just be a mom of a newborn is going to be like but until I am in it then I just don’t totally know what I’m doing.
This is probably what trips me up mentally: six weeks off in the unknown.
Last time I had that much time off I was unemployed. It was great. I read as many books as I could, spent time with friends I hadn’t seen in years, shopped, ate out, went to sporting events … oh and of course I was looking for a job. After two months, I got the first gig with the Reporter newspapers, and at that point I was ready to go back to work.
Somehow I doubt I’ll get bored during this extended period of time off. That’s what made me want to go back to work.
But I’ve been loving my job so much this year, I know I will be happy to come back and keep working on making this weekly paper better than it was this time last year.
On the other hand, I know it will be a challenge for me to leave the little one with someone else, so how much will I be chomping at the bit to work?
I just don’t know. I guess I’ll have six weeks to figure it out.
For now, maybe I should just focus on having this little girl. Yep, here I am, four days away from my due date and she’s still happily ensconced in the womb.
I can’t wait to see my obstetrician’s face tomorrow when he sees me for what better be the last time in the clinic before the baby is born. He seemed sure I’d end up at the hospital before this appointment.
Everybody who knows me did, in fact, but me. And in all fairness, I was rooting to get up to the due date. But it’s because starting maternity leave on Monday is perfect — I’d be off through the entire holiday season and come back right after the New Year.
So, we’ll just see what happens tomorrow. One way or another I’ll have this baby. If not between now and Sunday, I’ll be induced on Tuesday. So, this time next week I’ll be someone’s mommy. I can’t wait!