Boots - Ugh, that stinks that your principal might replace you - I hope that is not the case, especially in light of the fact that you're only asking for 6 more weeks. I would be through the roof if that happened to me. Are you able to communicate more openly with your principal your desire to stay in your current position and try to work that out and head off any unwanted changes in advance, or does it not work that way?
On the other hand, if you really don't want to go back, perhaps this is a 'sign' to reconsider your work situation altogether. It sounds rough not having any sick time. Maybe you can swing staying at home and then look for a new position come spring that would start next August? I'm speaking from no knowledge of the job market where you're at though... I do know that being at home during that first year, especially with your first, is really nice. When I had my first son, I went back to work for a few months when he was 11 weeks old, but only 30 hours per week and then when he was 5 months old - I quit my job (my boss knew all of this in advance and was just incredibly supportive) and we moved to China, where I stayed home full time until he was 11 months old - it was really nice. I was still nice and busy learning Chinese, but I had a ton of flexibility to be with my son. I think it's worth trying to pull off some extra time off :). You're going to work a lot in this life - but these first months with your baby will fly by and be gone before you know it! Having babies puts life into perspective, eh?
AFM, I am back to work full steam and it's going really well. I'm exhausted, which I expected. I am also the last in my house to get a head cold that's been going around - so I'm not feeling so hot presently - but the job's good. I'm glad I made the switch (just started a new job) and I'm just starting to get into the full swing now in my 3rd week. I'm pumping twice a day - at 10am and 2pm, thereabouts. I nurse my baby at 7am right before I leave and then again at about 5:45pm when I get home. So far, I'm pumping more than enough - I actually am freezing 3-5 ounces every day - which is fine as I might have a business trip in the nearish future. I'm finding I can work through my pumping sessions just fine. It's just annoying to have to stop what I'm doing and set up to pump, but so far, I think it's totally worth it.
It is sort of insane working with 3 kids. We're busy as heck. It's pretty nonstop and I'm having to be brutal about time management to fit it all in. I plan ahead for every little thing and I'm still going going going. I know that sounds miserable, but it's actually going ok. We're not in a routine yet, and still working out a lot of kinks - like how to get dinner on the table without losing our minds. ;) But we're getting there.
I'm also trying very hard to take care of myself. I got highlights in my hair and I feel a little prettier. I'm also either biking to work (4 miles each way) or walking to the shuttle (1 mile plus each way) to get to work and getting a little exercise. I still have a billion pounds to lose, but I know with patience and persistence, I'll lose it. I'm eating too much frozen yogurt, but hey, a girl's gotta live.
I miss the kids, but treasure every moment I have with them (except when I want to wring their little sweet necks, which is sometimes, if I'm being real :)>. I also miss my husband - we need to fit a date night in soon.
I just keep reminding myself that this is a period of transition and that things will smooth out.
Anybody else?
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