Maternity leave that really pays

Deep breath. I quit my job. Oh my goodness---I QUIT MY JOB!

After five and a half years with the same company, Jeff and I felt it was in our best interest for me to leave my current position and take on a new and more rewarding one (and scarier and more challenging one no doubt too!)...that of a stay at home mommy of two! I gave my notice on Wednesday (Wednesday, March 17th...just another reason why a green champagne would have been extra nice that night). If all goes as planned with the baby set to arrive on Monday, April 5th, my last day at AMI will be Friday, April 2nd.

I am so incredibly excited about what is to come, but to be honest, nervous too. There are a ton of thoughts going through my mind, our minds, but mostly, I feel amazingly fortunate to have this opportunity.

The chance to be with our kids (still feels strange to say kids, plural, already!) on a full time basis is something I hadn't totally envisioned, but it is quickly going to be my reality. I can't believe it most days. I'll know what they ate and when they ate it. I'll know what they've learned, when they've learned it and how they've learned it. Then again, I'll know how much they've pooped, when they've pooped, what color they've pooped every single time they've pooped it too! So yeah, I do know it's not all going to be peaches and cream.

Financially, the timing is not ideal considering our unpredictable economy. It won't be easy, but it makes sense for us right now and hopefully as a family we'll benefit greatly from this decision. I have struggled deeply with the many thoughts about never reaching my full career potential, but feel better when going into this knowing that this may not be, nor does it ever have to be permanent. After taking some hard looks at the numbers, what it takes for us to get by in a year, who knows---I could be back to work before 2010 ends once this all truly sinks in. But for now, even with the uncertainties, we are looking at my being able to have this time with our children as a completely positive and rewarding experience. I am going to savor all that it is worth, even if a decision, an opportunity, timing or a circumstance changes the plan sooner rather than later.

It seemed a lot of people expected that with two kids so close in age, this decision may just be a natural one. Plus, with layoffs and furloughs affecting my company currently, and taking into account a non-paid maternity leave, the picture appeared to be getting clearer. So many of you had asked about our plans, specifically if I was going to return to work post baby #2, and if we didn't dodge the curiosities and questions entirely, we had to bend the truth until we felt we could come clean. Our apologies to everyone for not being forthcoming about this path, but the secret's finally out and damn does it ever feel good!

Any advice from those of you who are already doing what is one of the toughest jobs in the world will be immensely appreciated! I am incredibly lucky to be in this position and all of my gratitude goes to Jeff for making it a possibility. Thank you, babe, and let me apologize in advance for not feeling like cooking every single night just because I'm at home and begging you to pick up Chipotle on your way home. Or Gina Maria's. On those days, please consider that your children behaved perfectly because I was there with them. Oh, and that the laundry was done...or at least everything but the whites, but there is always the weekend and after all, don't you love the smell of bleach?

Now please, send that wonderful husband of mine some business before we have time to change our minds!