October Sticky Beans!

[cupcake.]

In germany you get 6 weeks before birth and 8 weeks after (except when you have a preemie or multiples). And I have 2 weeks holiday left to use up so that's why i'm off work for 8 weeks befor i'm due.
After the 8 weeks i'm planning on staying home around 1 1/2 - 2 years.
Obviously however long i take means i get paid less so we'll have to calculate it through so we don't have to dip into our savings too much but that's the plan right now

I literally couldn't imagine working right up until the due date! Kudos to every woman who does that!

Also, we finally started working on the nursery! I think we'll be ready to put up the furniture in a week or so! I'll definitely share pics then!

Also we are now set on a name. She'll be Mariella Feline ❤️

 

[Angel5000]

Guys! I'm a Grapefruit!! I'm finally getting to the big stuff!

Heike - Wow, that's so great that you get all that time off! After the 8 weeks, do you get paid any amount for that 1.5-2 years you are off or does your salary go away completely?

That name is ADORABLE! I love it!

I really don't want to work up until my due date but since I get a 12 week total, I want every moment with the baby that I can afterwards. Plus, I really can't afford it since our leave isn't paid.

I can't wait to see nursery pics!

 

[cupcake.]

Jess, i will. Not from my employer but the state pays a percentage of the average you earned the 12 months prior to having the baby. I may go back for a couple hours a week if it ends up being too little money but definitely not full time before 1 1/2 years.
Compared to other countries we're fortunate in germany though there's countries that are even more generous when it comes to parents staying home with their children!

 

[Angel5000]

That's pretty amazing. So you get a partial paycheck and your job is secure for a that long? I'm incredibly jealous! I'm beginning to think I need to move..... (I'm half serious about that, especially considering our current presidential election situation! )

 

[cupcake.]

If i had an unlimited contract with my company it would be secure.
However my contract only goes until february and while i haven't had a meeting with my boss about that, i'm fairly certain it won't be renewed when i won't even work there for the next couple months/years. But since i had steady income and the state pays the money during maternity leave and not my employer it doesn't matter money wise. If they won't renew the contract then i'll just reapply when the time comes and see if they'll take me back that way haha i'm not too worried about that to be honest

 

[cupcake.]

We got Mariella's room painted finally! We can start putting up all the furniture over the weekend and i'm so excited! I'll share pictures later today or tomorrow, i'm in love with the room already

 

[krissie328]

That's fantastic Heike. I love the name! How did you get to almost 30 weeks!

 

[Angel5000]

That's great! Can't wait to see pics! And I love the name!!

 

[cupcake.]

Krissie, seriously i don't know either! I still don't feel as pregnant as i am though i'm definitely getting big and well less graceful when it comes to moving around haha

Here's a sneek peak of her room ❤️ One wall is done with the flower wallpaper and the other walls are grey with white at the edges. I'm in love

 

[Angel5000]

Adorable!! I love it!!

 

[Blackrain90]

Jess move to Canada!! We get a year of job secured leave, and 55% of our income from unemployment insurance (which we pay premiums to all the time anyways). Plus we might build a wall to keep Trump out haha.

Can't believe how far along you ladies are already!!!

 

[krissie328]

Dh and I have talked often about moving to Canada. My certification would transfer and so it's temping. But honestly it would be forever a better future for our kids and less for ours.

 

[Angel5000]

I have joked about moving to Canada, but I'm at least half serious about it when it comes to talking about healthcare, and some of the human rights situations we deal with here (such as gay rights, among others). And seriously, if Trump wins the election I told DH to prepare to pack up. he thinks I'm joking.... I'm not sure I am

I'd have to look at the requirements to transfer my teacher license and dh's electrical license. But seriously I have considered it. Plus, I love to listen to Canadian accents

 

[Angel5000]

V-Day was Monday!

V-Day bump and a comparison pic. Holy cow I'm HUGE, and I've gained almost no weight in the last 4 weeks it's all belly. She's just getting big fast and I think I might actually be losing weight but the scale isn't moving because bump is gaining.

Either way...bump = big!

 

[krissie328]

Wow Jess! You sure are getting bigger. How are ya feeling?

 

[Angel5000]

Feeling really good actually. Aside from the stretched out feeling I have on my stomach and some general discomfort (tying shoes is getting uncomfortable and teaching is by 5th period is uncomfortable) I'm doing pretty good. Forget I'm pregnant sometimes lol.

 

[krissie328]

That's good to hear. I had to rub lotion on my belly a lot. I really didn't like the stretching feeling.

 

[cupcake.]

Oh wow what a growth spurt! But you look so good and happy V Day!

For me the countdown has officially begun, 9 weeks and 5 days to go till due date!! Still not feeling as pregnant as i am haha

 

[Angel5000]

Thanks. And yeah definite growth spurt! I can't believe you're down to 9 weeks! Wow!!i told DH I think it'll become more real when I'm down in the single digits.

Krissie- lotions a good idea. I might start doing that. I just don't like the stretched feeling I always have lately!

 

[lvksa]

Hello!

I’m back in Saudi Arabia. Left my mom’s early morning last Thursday. Had two flights in the US and then a 14 hour haul from New York City to Abu Dhabi. 6 Hours in the Abu Dhabi airport and then a short flight to Riyadh. We got in about 3 am last Saturday.

I went back to work last Sunday and started classes that day. I teach English and a second language to first year university students. I’m really happy to be back, but I’ve definitely been exhausted. My body actually feels really great, I just end up feeling so sleepy. I get through my work day with a huge smile, but in the early evening I can barely keep my eyes open, haha.

I’m going to be working right up until it is time to have baby, God willing. They will give me 35 days paid leave and I think I can then request another 30 days unpaid. After that I am hoping to use the work nursery. I don’t know how I am going to feel about that once the time comes, but I really don’t want to lose the job I have now. It’s the best I’ve had and I finish at 1:30 in the afternoon.

I saw my doctor at 20 weeks before I left for the US and saw her again at 28 weeks when I arrived back. Everything is really good, thank God. Baby was measuring 29 weeks at that appointment. Amniotic fluid levels were good. The baby is currently head up, but hoping that will change before the next appointment.

Glad to be back to our forum again to check in on you all