Dette - Yeah, it's really expensive here as well. It would definitely be impossible to live on just dh's income (if he even had one), but if he is ever able to get a much higher salary and we can pay off all our debt, it would be my end-goal to be a SAHM. Realistically, it's not going to happen and I will hopefully at least be able to afford to work 4 days/week.
Being a RN is definitely a great career and one that you can make a lot better money at! My mom is an RN and it is definitely a stressful life with a lot of sleep-deprivation, but the flexibility in hours is also great and it's a career that is rewarding and fulfilling. I would think going back to school would definitely be worth it for that!
Thanks for the input on the breast pump, you two. I think I would end up getting an electric pump like you, Mrs. W. It doesn't seem like it would be worth it to sit there and pump it yourself when you're already a busy mom! My goal is to buy everything before the baby becomes because on my mat leave income we won't even be able to afford a 60-cent donut as a luxury if you know what I mean.
I get that I might not need the breast pump for a month or two, and if dh doesn't get a job for a while it can definitely wait, but ideally I would like all the big expenses over with before the baby is born! Also, I am hoping to breast pump occasionally even after the first couple weeks so that DH can get up and feed the baby on Saturday mornings and let me sleep in.
It's definitely possible my baby wouldn't take a bottle...but most of the moms in my close circle breast pump occasionally starting within a week or two, and their baby does fine and doesn't have any latching issues. I can't really predict what my baby will be like, but I hope it works out! We can also rent breast pumps here I suppose if it really comes down to a financial crunch...but that idea sort of grosses me out and I am planning on having 4 kids so I figured the investment would be worth it in the end.
DH's recovery is going very well. There are some adjustments to how he has to eat now that will affect him for the rest of his life, but he's getting the hang of it, and he is healing way faster than I ever thought he would! This has actually been way less stressful than I thought. Zero success on the job front, though. Thankfully our church gave us a financial gift last week to help us with the bills for another month. It should tide us over til April 1st.
They were pretty nice to my co-worker but she was one of those people who did everything they weren't supposed to while pregnant anyway. Also, now that she is gone there is definitely grumbling about people having to do her job which is what has made me feel like people might begrudge me when I'm gone too. Also, my boss was kind of rude to her and kept making comments about how HIS mom went back to work the next day after giving birth or something ridiculous like that, and tried to pressure her into only taking 2-3 months off even though we are fully entitled to a full year off here!
Yeah, I think it's kind of weird when people announce the name before the baby is born! It sort of takes the fun out of the birth announcement...although obviously it's a personal choice and it might be fun for parents to be able to call their baby by his/her name around whoever they want.
Sorry to hear you are hating work! Definitely sounds like you may need to find another job soon. It isn't worth it to work in such a toxic environment! Sorry to hear this week has been a sick week in your household. I hope you're feeling better and that Hunter heals up too.
I am feeling pretty good this week. I've definitely noticed an increase in energy (finally) in the second trimester.
Mrs W - We are entitled to take 1 year here as well, but the full 1 year of it is paid (although, like you, not very much!). I think that's great you're able to take your full year and then go back 3 days per week. That sounds just perfect. My goal is to go back 3 days per week by the 2nd child, but with some of the debts we have I may have to go back full-time after our first...or maybe 4 days per week at best.
I will definitely have a baby shower and already some family members have told us they would be helping us out with stuff, so that is nice. I know my parents will probably buy us a large ticket item, and my sister intends to buy something like an activity mat or something. I am definitely expecting to get most of my baby clothes at the baby shower since that seems to be what most people give. In the end, I know we'll be okay but sometimes it's hard not to worry!
Can I ask what the exact kind of your breast pump is? And do you know if you buy one brand of breast pump can you still use it with a different brand of bottles? I have a free sample of an Avent bottle so I was planning on using those, but I was hoping to get a Medela breast pump. I figured it's probably interchangeable but I really know nothing so thought maybe you could help!
The morning sickness is a lot better although I definitely still feel sick at certain smells (especially coffee still...ugh)! Now my biggest complaint is the heart burn/ indigestion! But this 2nd trimester really is a breeze compared to the first trimester...so far!
Hubby has a couple interviews lined up but they wouldn't be for good career jobs. They would be for jobs making less than half of what he was making previously...but that he could at least do for a bit while he is searching for that perfect job so that we can at least pay the bills in the mean time! Hopefully something better turns up soon.
So af arrived a few days ago. I was gutted when I got a few bfns around 14 dpo though and I knew I wasn't pregnant so at that point I just wanted af to come so I could move on with the next cycle. I'm going to temp this month so I can check I definitely ovulate. I'm also drinking grapefruit juice to increase my ewcm. I was going to take evening primrose oil for the same reason but I've just read it can delay ovulation so I need to investigate that a bit more.
Sorry to hear AF arrived. Good idea on the temping. I found it really helped me know what was going on with my body and when exactly to expect AF! I hope the grapefruit juice helps with CM. Are you taking Vitamin B6 at all? It can make your LP longer (and dette and I think it might delay ovulation by a day or two as well), but I took it from cd1-7 and then took a break until I ovulated, and then took it again after ovulation...and that is the month I conceived. Of course it could be a coincidence, but I read some research that really had me convinced it was a good idea (apparently it increases fertility and reduces the chance of miscarriage).
https://sites.google.com/site/miscarriageresearch/vitamins-and-miscarriage/vitamin-b6 Another side benefit is that it helps with morning sickness!
How was your gramps' funeral? How is the rest of your family taking it? It is such a sad thing to lose a family member. I lost my grandpa about 5 years ago and sometimes I still think about him and get really sad. He is definitely missed.
As for weekend plans, I am hanging out with my BFF today although I'm not sure what we'll do...probably just talk like we always do!
We usually can't get through a movie because we can't stop talking! Hope you both have a great weekend.
But you never know...your next baby might be an AWESOME sleeper! I know my parents say that my sister was just a terrible baby and cried all the time and rarely slept, but then I came along and was so happy and slept like an angel. So maybe your next one will be SUPER easy. 
It's definitely hard not to get your hopes up every month but it's totally normal to take a few months and your turn will come very soon. 
But now that I've eaten and such I am feeling okay. It is manageable, but still annoying! 
