First and foremost, this is all in good fun.
After talking with K (who happens to be my boss & husband), we decided that it’d be safe and good for me to start maternity leave the week of Thanksgiving- with or without baby being here. We’re not sure how long I can be gone from work*, so starting leave a little early is a gift to myself. We both work more than 40 hours per week and while the house is mostly ready for a baby, I’m happy to have the extra days to clean, prep some meals, and hopefully bank some sleep and dog cuddles before baby arrives.
I am well aware that this is a luxury. I’m grateful that I have a job and a husband and coworkers that allow me this little reprieve before active motherhood.

And now, without further ado, here’s how I know it’s time to go ahead kick start maternity leave:
When you can no longer control the volume at which you huff breathe.
When you truly consider bringing your desk work into the bathroom with you because you’re in there multiple times an hour and it’s just more efficient.
When you groan as you stand, bend over, walk, sit, breathe, think….
When co-workers walk by and stop to ask if you’re ok because you’re either a) doubled over or b) trying to get baby to retract her foot from your kidney.
When the snack pile on your desk is taller and more plentiful than any paperwork pile.
When you find yourself laying on the ground with your legs up the wall (stretching) by 10 am.
When you’re answering phone calls from family and friends to talk about effacement and dilation with an open door so all your male coworkers now know about the intimate details of your cervix.
When your back aches and your only relief is having your boss apply pressure. (This is best if your boss is your husband.)
When your coworkers’ wives and girlfriends are asking why the hell you’re still putting yourself through it at work.
When you consider bringing in a towel for your desk chair, just in case your water breaks and you have to clean it up because, again, you work with all dudes and can’t imagine one of them dealing with the situation.
Don’t get me wrong… I was doing some of these things long before I was pregnant, too.
So this week I’m off completely. And while I’m uncomfortable (no baby yet as I write this), I am grateful to be uncomfortable in my own home.
*Legally I know there are maternity leave rules. Since K owns and runs the business, our situation is different. I will have to work from home off and on throughout my m/l because a) it’s a small company and only I can do some of my jobs and b) I love my husband and I don’t want to pile all my jobs on him- I want him to have some leave, too.
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! No thanksgiving day post from me but if baby decides to make her arrival you can find it first on IG (once we announce it) 😉 Have a safe week/weekend!
