*yawn*

[same_sky]

Today is just a day like any other. You know, Evelyn took a couple of really good naps. I watched daytime television while I took care of a little laundry. I improvised and made a homemade beef stew for dinner (strangely, it is the hottest week of the entire year, perhaps the hottest week in the last five years, and I have made soup twice so far and it's just Wednesday.) In the afternoon, I puttered around in my sewing room/dining room, cutting out fabric for future projects. Then I took a break from all of that, checked on the baby, and then called to quit my job.

!!!

I quit my job! Eeek!

Despite all of the complaints about the fact that I had to go there all the time, I really do like my job. Did like, anyway. It was interesting, I felt like I was working for an agency that did something that mattered (the state retirement system) and most of all, I love my co-workers. And yet, I have been dreading going back to work because I cannot bear the thought of putting Evelyn in daycare right now. I know that I would get used to it, and that daycare wouldn't make me a bad parent--I know excellent parents who work outside the home. I have always wanted to stay home with my babies, though, and it broke my heart that it wouldn't be financially possible.

But then we won the lottery!

Okay, no. That was a total lie but wouldn't it be a great story?

The truth is just that I started doing the math last week, and when I had written down all of our income and expenses, M and I looked at it together... and decided that we can do it after all. At least, we should be just fine for an extended period of time--we think it'll be easier for me to go back to work when she's a bit older, and when I don't have to envision her just laying listlessly in her crib all day. How long is an extended period? Dunno, really. We're talking about a year or two or maybe longer. If something expensive happens, it may be less than that. It will involve some financial sacrifices, but, as we're big dorks, we're kind of looking forward to that part, though it will be hard at times. What it comes down to, though, is that there are some things that are worth much more than money. She will only be little once, and I am so unbelievably happy that I'll be right there for all of it.

And that I won't have to pump.

Comments

[sunflower-pixie.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy for you! I'm never going to have a child, but I know that I would want to be there with them at all times when they were little, so I'm glad that you are getting that opportunity! :)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm so glad that I get to stay home with little Miss Evelyn. :)

[geeklibrarian.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's awesome news! You sound really happy and well, settled about it -- that's great!

And I agree with sunflower_pixie above -- if I were to ever have kids, I'd not only want to stay home with them, but given the educational system in Oregon, I'd probably homeschool them to boot!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I am happy!

Oregon's educational system couldn't be any worse than Kentucky's--I think we're something like 48th. Woot! ;) I don't think I could get my Swede on board for homeschooling, though.. hehe.

[lizardek.livejournal.com]

Goodness! Congrats on taking the plunge!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's a big step but we're pretty excited!

[blue-eyed-girl.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad you guys were able to make it work out! I've been thinking about you a lot lately, since I knew it was getting to be time for your maternity leave to be over and that you weren't feeling ready to go back to work.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yes, yay! I'm so happy that it's working out. :)

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

Whoo-hooo! I know you have been dreading going back to work so this is fantastic news! Erik is not quite 2 and I am at the point where I would feel comfortable sending him to daycare. It is hard for me to picture a baby at daycare because I imagine the same listless baby in the crib, even though I know that's not the case at all (if you hire a good daycare).

Congrats!!!!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yes! I have been dreading it like crazy! I know that they don't actually let them lay listlessly in their cribs all day--for one thing, they wouldn't be so much listless as screaming--but the image is hard to get out of my head. Now I just need to call the daycare to let them know. I'm so happy this worked out.

[e11en.livejournal.com]

It's so funny because I almost asked you yesterday when you were supposed to go back to work. I guess never! To that job anyway.

I'm glad you guys were able to find a way so you can stay home for a while longer. Now we'll get more Evelyn updates! (BTW, there's an 8 month old baby at Anders' new daycare named Evelyn).

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I almost slipped and told you about the possibility in a comment the other day, but I managed to keep my mouth shut. I'm so excited!

Cool about the eight-month-old Evelyn! I think that Evelyn will be more and more used in the next few years, judging from its curve on the baby name popularity graph--it looks just like Grace did ten years ago. Or not, either way. It has still not completely settled in my head as her name, to be honest. M says I'm just self-conscious about it.

[georgiamars.livejournal.com]

I finally am comfortable with the name Violet. Now it just is a part of her, but in the beginning it felt weird to say. (It was Petter's mormors name.) Although she is more like a "Blueberry", as she has blueberry colored eyes.

[marketeer]

I'm glad that it worked out for you.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Thanks--me too!

[georgiamars.livejournal.com]

That is great news! How exciting!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm ecstatic!

[georgiamars.livejournal.com]

Well...what did they say at work? How did they react?

[parilous.livejournal.com]

Wow!!!

I have to agree with the old adage -- on your deathbed, you will not be lamenting the code that didn't get written or the papers that didn't get filed, but you will lament the time you didn't spend with your family and friends.

It's a huge step, but it's the right one, I'm sure!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what we're thinking--this time is priceless and we'll regret not doing it if we can. :)

[courtesy.livejournal.com]

Oh my god!!! I am beyond thrilled for you!!!! That is super super awesome *hugs* *smooch*

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yeah! *hugs* I am so so excited! I am so looking forward to being home with Evelyn!

[dbrus.livejournal.com]

Congrats. Glad you could make it work so you could do what you want! Also, daycare aside, working momhood is an exhausting thing! Enjoy the special time in your life. I know I made the right decision for me (I could stay home if I wanted to) and you did the same. Yay for no pumping...I am counting down, I am quitting pumping at the 1 year mark!