Now what??

Belly Self Portrait: 34 Weeks

Well, I am now officially off work. This has brought some interesting feelings to light. 


When I first found out I was pregnant, the countdown to finishing work was on. I couldn't wait until the big day came when I got to stay home legitimately and not have to think about work for at least a year (in Canada we have 1 year maternity leave...lucky us!)


During the tough first and some of the second trimester, it was the light at the end of the tunnel. Feeling so crappy and tired at work was really difficult, and I wondered how other pregnant ladies did it. I did make it through, and the pregnancy got a lot more comfortable, and things weren't so difficult anymore, which made me start questioning my decision to go off early.  


I am off about 6 weeks before my due date. Most people think that this is very very early, and they usually tell me that. I hear a lot of "you will be so bored, just waiting for the baby" and "then you have to go back to work earlier". While these may be true, this was the best choice for us when I was planning. I still think it was a good choice, it's just hard to dispel those nagging doubts in the back of my mind. Work was getting harder again, and I was using a lot of sick days. Plus, I have a need to "feel prepared" all the time. I would have been an anxious mess if I was working right up until my due date. I would have felt the to-do list following me around like the dust cloud on Pigpen. We already feel not ready as parents-to-be as the date grows closer; we don't need more help.


So now I am off, and have had the first 3 days of what it's going to be like staying at home. I have to say it is a bit of a hard adjustment. I have started tackling the nursery, and anticipate it being done in a week or 2, which is exciting. I have not experienced that famous nesting instinct yet, which sucks because I have a big aversion to cleaning. I really find it hard to get motivated to clean. When Hubby is here, we force each other to do it.


Typical  Saturday Morning


Me: This house is getting pretty gross. We have to clean. 


Hubby (looks up from playing Call of Duty): Yeah, I guess. In 20 mins? 


Me: Sigh...I suppose. I really don't want to do it. 


Hubby: Me neither. 


Me: But we have to or it will get disgusting. 


Hubby: True.


Result: we grudgingly begin cleaning and vacuuming and all the fun stuff associated with house cleaning. 




Without Hubby here it goes more like this: 


Me: I should really clean the house.


silence...


Me: Ok, maybe I will do this other, more interesting thing first. 


Result: house doesn't get clean. 


I think the key to surviving this time off without a) me going insane or b) the house falling into a state that could be showcased on Hoarders is that I will need to establish a routine. So that's on the list for Monday. I am going to go do this other, more interesting thing first...

Not...