And hello 4 a.m. to midnight...
Yesterday was my last day of work, and today starts my 1-year maternity leave. A few people said they were really jealous that I won't have to work for a year. Though I expect the work I'll be doing is actually quite a bit harder than the work I've been doing. Of course, the reward will be huge.
I thought that I would be more sad to leave the office yesterday. But I think I am so excited about the things that are about to happen that I am completely distracted.
The only thing that bums me out about leaving work is not being able to see my friends every day. I work with an amazing group of people, and they are a big reason why I love my job so much. After 2+ years of working there, I feel like I really belong. And that's hard to give up. Even if it's only temporary. The good thing is that I live right across from the office, so I know that I will see everyone really often once the baby and I are able to get out of the house. I'm looking forward to making trips over to the studio to see the kitchens and dining rooms I worked on get built.
It isn't common in Sweden to have a baby shower. I think they see it as bad luck and prefer to give gifts after the baby is born. Which sort of defeats the purpose of the shower in my opinion, because once the baby is born you usually have everything you need. A very unpractical choice for such practical people.
Anyway, my American copywriter friends gave me a really sweet send-off. A fika baby shower. Complete with a really yummy chocolate cake and ice cream. (I am totally getting in all the chocolate I can now before the baby comes because chocolate causes colic in babies when breastfeeding. The sacrifices we moms make!) They also gave me an adorable Danish-designed onesie from Småfolk, and a relaxation candle made of figs!
My sister and mom also threw me an across-the-pond shower. So I have been completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. Because of all the gifts we've received, we've been able to get everything we need for the baby's arrival. All the cloth diapering stuff... clothes... bouncy seat... car seat... health items... sling... and completely furnish the baby's room (see it all in an upcoming post). At this point all we need is the baby.
10 days to go, but I hope he or she makes an early escape!
How exciting!!! Best wishes och lycka till!
Posted by: Linnea | January 14, 2008 at 05:30 PM