I wasn’t going to do it, but since it’s available through the state, I decided to take 2 weeks off before my due date as my pre-baby maternity leave. The doctor is fine with signing me off on the extra time (due to my high anxiety state of being) and would sign off for even the total of 4 weeks allowed. My work has been super supportive and is also on board with me leaving at the two week mark. The only way I’d reevaluate is if at my 36/37 week appointment (which is tomorrow), there is any indication that the baby may come early. Then I might just go out a bit earlier.
Also, with less than 1.5 weeks of work to go (seriously?!? Can’t believe it!), I’m working really hard to tie up as many work loose ends as quickly as possible so that when it’s time to go, both me and my projects will be ready. I’m almost there, just a couple more things to finish up where I’m mostly waiting on others.
In any case, I’m REALLY hoping the little one stays in till fairly close to our due date so I get some time to do some stuff for just me before he or she arrives. I’ve already started compiling a list of things I want to do (some fun and some necessary)!
1.) All About Pumping – I just signed up for this class which happens to be scheduled in the middle of a Monday afternoon. Lucky for me it falls on the first Monday of my leave! Breastfeeding and pumping have me shakin’ in my boots (even though my besties tell me they’ll help me with all the logistics), so I want to be as prepared as possible.
2.) BAKE!! – I’m planning on baking cookies for the nurses at the nearby hospital who have been taking such good care of me when I go in for my bi-weekly non-stress tests. I really wish I could deliver at that hospital since it would be so nice to know quite a few of the nurses, but I know the nurses at the hospital we are delivering at will be just as nice.
I also want to bake and freeze some fall pumpkin treats that I can indulge in after the baby is born. This whole gestational diabetes thing really threw a wrench in what normally would be a fall filled with pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, etc. I found this great pin with TONS of pumpkin recipes to try!
Source: realmomkitchen.com via Jen on Pinterest
3.) Cook and freeze a favorite fall meal – I was walking down the beer aisle the other day and saw the Pumpkin Ale and I just knew I had to buy some (for The Hubs of course). It also spurred me to start buying the ingredients for one of my favortie fall meals – Paleo Pumpkin Chili. I may or may not be able to eat this meal now (I mean it is Paleo friendly, but I still wonder about the sugars in the pre-made diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree), but I want to have it ready for when I KNOW I can eat it and for when a frozen meal already pre-made will be a real treat (think after a sleepless night with a baby).
I’ve also been wanting to try this other chili recipe too. Seems like it too might be a good freezable option. Hope The Hubs doesn’t get too sick of pumpkin dishes!!
Source: cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com via Jen on Pinterest
4.) Schedule the house for a DEEP CLEAN. – I’d like to have our house cleaned sometime in the last couple of week preferably before the baby comes so that we can start out fresh. We “clean” the house when we see it needs to be done, but we aren’t good about being really and truly thorough about it. I think it would be well worth our money!
5.) READ, SLEEP, RELAX, REPEAT – I really just want to sleep-in in the morning, relax during the day, catch up on some good books (that are not baby related) and repeat. Preferably for 2 weeks! I’ve never had down time like this in my life, so I really want to take advantage of it.
Is there anything I’m missing??
Please everyone keep some “Baby stay in till your due date” thoughts coming my way! I’d appreciate it!! 🙂
Living a Brighter Life 