Maternity leave & the things I’m looking forward to…

I’m now in the penultimate week of work before starting my maternity leave for baby number 2 and whilst I cant wait to have some extra time on my hands, I’m also feeling a little weird about adjusting to becoming a full-time mum. I shared a little post about my Third Trimester Nerves last week and the fact that I’m not sure whether I have the energy to round-up two children, but after having spoken to friends I think that’s probably down to the fact that I’m finding this pregnancy so bloody tiring and hopefully my energy will return once the baby is born!

Aside from the energy issue. I’m also really nervous about leaving the workplace. I’ve been employed in at least one job ever since I was 14 years old… in fact there was one time at University where I rotating myself around five!!! To this day I’ve still no idea how I achieved it, but I’ve always been a bit of a ‘grafter’ because I hate sitting around being idle, my main motivation being that I might as well earn some money from my down time! Because of that I’m starting to feel weird about leaving work. I’ve been there for almost 10 years, building a career that for the most part I enjoy and getting fulfilment from stretching my brain! I know I’ve left for maternity leave once before, but somehow this feels different. This time I’ll be returning after having had two children and with childcare costs as ridiculous as they are, I’m not even sure if that’s financially possible!

So after counting down the days till this moment every week since I returned to work… I’m actually starting to freak out (such a contrary Mary!!) … so in the interests of reminding myself that I am a bit of a nutter and Maternity leave is a good thing…. I’ve compiled a little list below of all the things I am looking forward to once I walk out that door…

Playing Games with Ettie

This may be idealistic with a new-born in tow. But I’m really looking forward to having time to play games with Ettie and see how she reacts. She’s almost two and we’ve only ever baked a cake together once which was lovely. We draw and paint pictures at weekends, but I’m really looking forward to stocking up the house with crafty bits so I can be the one to help develop her artistic flair – rather than just the girls at nursery (who do a great job – I just want in on the action too 😉

Time To Be More Creative

I genuinely believe there is only so much brain power a person can use at any one time, and whilst I’ve been tapping away analysing figures at work, the creative part of my brain hasn’t really had time to shine. There is so much I want to do with this blog, including a re-brand and overhaul of my photography skills. I’m really looking forward to having space in my mind to let that creativity flow through – and yes I know this isn’t going to be instant with a new baby to contend with, but it happened last time, so I’m hoping it will happen again.

Seeing Friends

A huge consequence of going back to work full-time is that I just haven’t had time to catch up with friends. Before Ettie, I’d have seen them almost every weekend, sipping on cider and G&T’s along the seafront (especially in summer). But now, weekends are premium family time! Days begining with an S are the only days we get to spend together as a family, having days out, finishing off jobs around the house or visiting relatives. Because of that opportunities to catch up with friends have been few and far between over the past 12 months and I’m really looking forward to having space in my diary again to catch up with Mum friends and watch our babies play together and grow.

Ettie’s Personality

One of the main things I’m looking forward to is getting to spend more quality time with Ettie and see her little personality develop. She’s changing at such a rapid rate at the moment, learning new words and sentences all the time. Often we only get to catch a glimpse of her brain working in the mornings or before bed, but I’m really looking forward to spending whole days with her again, watching her brain take on new things and grasp a better understanding of the world.

Finishing Rooms

Our renovation works have been going on a long time, and a massive part of that is because I’m God awful at making decisions! I’m not one of those people who can buy all of the decorative items for a room and have them sitting waiting, ready for the refurb. Often I have to sit in a room and ponder, thinking about what mirror should go above the fire place and what rug I want on the floor. To do that I have to actually sit in the house and working full-time, then running after a toddler all other times has given limited opportunities to do this! Whilst we’ve made progress, its been slow so I’m looking forward to actually making some decorating decisions while I’m sat there feeding the little bub for hours on end – on the days Ettie is still in nursery of course!

Cleaning the Car

and all of the other odd jobs that have been building up over the past few months, but I haven’t got around to doing!! My parents are coming down for a fortnight this week and have promised to take on full babysitting duties while they’re here, so I’m hoping to use the time to make a good stab at my never-ending to do list, including listing the huge pile of things destined for eBay that I have tucked away in a box by the front door!

Walks Along The Seafront

One of my absolute favourite things to do on a sunny day is walk along Brighton seafront, taking in the sights and having a good old people watch. There’s something about living in a city that makes you feel less lonely as a Mum because somehow the city just becomes your friend. Obviously I haven’t been able to go on any walks since being back at work, and I haven’t quite figured out the logistics of getting two babies down there, but this is something we’ll definitely be doing as soon as I walk out of that office door and I can’t wait!

Meeting Our Baby!!

Perhaps the most obvious thing on the list but saving the best till last!! Of course I am absolutely giddy with excitement about meeting our new baby!! The newest member of the clan and a little sibling for our daughter! She’s such a sociable, happy little bean who loves playing, it makes me so happy knowing I’m going to give her a real life brother or sister to play with and love, who will be there for the rest of her life. Not only that, but we get a new person to snuggle and love and care for and head sniff… it really makes my heart burst knowing that in a few weeks all the love we already have is about to expand and that is without a shadow of a doubt the thing I’m looking forward to the most.