You guys are way too kind with the “you look great” stuff! lol! I feel like I don’t look so great.
I just had a conversation with a senior manager about my maternity leave. We get 8 weeks paid leave which is what I told her I will most likely take. However, Lo seems to think I will be taking 12-14 weeks. hmmm. I guess I’ll play it by ear. The good thing is that I get 4 weeks vacation per year. I’ll have 3 weeks left for 2009 and once 2010 comes, I’ll have another 4 weeks. So, realistically I could take 14 weeks. I know I’m not going to want to come back to work at all, but I also work in a field that while it advertises itself on being “family friendly”, let’s be honest, the more time you take off for a pregnancy, the further down on the partner track ladder you fall.
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Here’s another photo montage from the last few weeks. I’m very behind on this updating stuff.
The Shmoo has a new friend in the neighborhood (“Ant”). Ant is 5 and graciously let Shmoo test out his new wheels. Of course, Shmoo will usually only drive, he does not like to be a passenger.
One of the things (one of the very few things) that we like about our current housing situation is the neighborhood. Shmoo definitely has a lot of kids to play with. I know we can’t move out of the condo anytime soon but Lo continuously reminds me of how wonderful it is to have a neighborhood of kids, even though we’ve lost $40,000 on our place and the neighborhood outside of the condo complex is just getting worser and worser.
Here is a glimpse of what our condo parking area may look like on any given night in the summer.
We also have discovered that Shmoo has the same reaction to mosquito bites as Lo. Instead of tiny little somewhat itchy bites like I get, the Shmoo gets these crazy welts that end up being about 4 inches in diameter. He got a bite near his eyebrow last week and his eye was almost swollen shut.
A few days that Shmoo was at his Mema and Pop-pop’s house in recent weeks, a wayward peacock came to visit. It was cute, friendly and fun at first and Shmoo got a kick out of feeding it bread. The peacock overstayed his welcome just a little when he started dropping feathers all over the place and pooping all over Pop-pop’s deck. Eventually, Pop-pop and the Shmoo chased it away by running after it and yelling “go-way P-cot – go way”.
Lastly, Shmoo has had his share of amusement parks recently. Lo took him to Six.Flags.Great.Adventure on a Friday night since she was playing chaperone to her niece and one of the girls for some concert at the park. He also got to go to a little amusement park in CT with Kaden and his Mema and Pop-pop too. This kid has it rough, doesn’t he??
KJ and the Kids said,
September 16, 2009 at 2:56 pm
You do look great.
Remember to save time for doctor appointments for both you and the baby. For sick baby x2 now. and for days when you have been up ALL night and just can’t imagine yourself going in.
ha ha (kidding of course)
Pretty much I’d stick to the 8 weeks
meg said,
September 16, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Love the wheels… he looks so grown up!
Well I think you know my field… CPA… and it was hoped by my boss that I would only take 6 to 8 weeks. WRONG. I took the full 12 and actually even took 13 to be exact. I figured that was my one chance to stay home with my boy and I took it. 8 weeks is pretty normal though and I do understand if you want to go back by then… it is hard to go back no matter when you do. I cried my whole way to work even after 13 weeks. Heck I even tear up sometimes now and he is 13 months old
I guess my point is take what feels right for you and your family.. however, if you think you need 12 to 14 weeks, take it. They won’t remember when it is time for that partner review 
Oh and you are GLOWING!!!!
ELLIE said,
September 17, 2009 at 12:15 pm
sorry i have not dropped by in a while – things crazy at this end – you look wonderful – glad you are not having any pregnancy problems – you look so happy!!!!
Schmoo looks great and is growing so fast – love the pics at sesame street – how cool!!!
looks like you all have been very busy also!
I hope your fall goes smoothly – take care and keep sharing those pics!
Peace–Ellie
CJ said,
September 17, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Great pics! Em gets big welts like that from bug bites as well! I always feel so sorry for her, but it’s not like you can put bug spray on their eye lids!!
Bevin said,
September 26, 2009 at 12:18 am
I will totally take that peacock off their hands! Those feathers are expensive.
I’m getting caught up on Schmoo and the progress of the sibling. He’s such a little boy now. I am super impressed by the bicycle riding!!
Also, remember Holly when it was hard just trying to have a career? Just be gentle with yourself, you’re basically doing three full time jobs right now, being a mom, a pregnant person and working a demanding job. Your mental health is really important!!
You look adorable pregnant!