Now and then......
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Saturday 26 November 2011
Friday 25 November 2011
A is for Attitude
I think we're beginning to get our first little bouts of baby tantrums! He is starting to learn what he likes and wants! And in his little baby world he doesn't know what 'no' means yet, and it's interesting to see what he's making of life now and how I respond to him to help him learn.
On Wednesday we were at our singing group and having played with a maraca for the duration of the musical instrument segment Joel dropped it on the floor and another kiddy snapped it up and ran off with it. Normally Joel wouldn't react and would just look around for something else to do or look at, but this time he watched this other kid disappear with the toy he'd been playing with and he began to cry. Then howl. I've not seen anything like it! He really wanted that maraca back!
Then later that afternoon! He grabbed the tv remote control, and was having a good chew on the end of it, and dropped it. I noticed that the tv box said '999' so was glad it wasn't the phone he'd got hold of! Anyway, I hid it under a cushion as I'm trying to keep them out of his reach and again, he realised it'd been removed and got very grumpy indeed and began to properly cry again, with tears and everything! Time again for distractions....!
At mealtimes the challenge has begun to get food into his mouth! He happily chews things up and is beginning to reject his purees for proper food so is having leftovers of our meals all cooked without salt! He had chicken casserole for lunch, and sandwiches and cheese sticks for tea. Distraction is a brilliant tool, but every trick I try, the next day, he remembers it and that one doesn't work any more.
He's a clever little boy!
On Wednesday we were at our singing group and having played with a maraca for the duration of the musical instrument segment Joel dropped it on the floor and another kiddy snapped it up and ran off with it. Normally Joel wouldn't react and would just look around for something else to do or look at, but this time he watched this other kid disappear with the toy he'd been playing with and he began to cry. Then howl. I've not seen anything like it! He really wanted that maraca back!
Then later that afternoon! He grabbed the tv remote control, and was having a good chew on the end of it, and dropped it. I noticed that the tv box said '999' so was glad it wasn't the phone he'd got hold of! Anyway, I hid it under a cushion as I'm trying to keep them out of his reach and again, he realised it'd been removed and got very grumpy indeed and began to properly cry again, with tears and everything! Time again for distractions....!
At mealtimes the challenge has begun to get food into his mouth! He happily chews things up and is beginning to reject his purees for proper food so is having leftovers of our meals all cooked without salt! He had chicken casserole for lunch, and sandwiches and cheese sticks for tea. Distraction is a brilliant tool, but every trick I try, the next day, he remembers it and that one doesn't work any more.
He's a clever little boy!
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Stresses and Strains
There seem to be lots of loose ends floating around my life at the moment. I don't like feeling as though I'm not sure what's going on totally, so here's a round up of my thoughts at the moment:
Appeal - I rang personnel at work today and they confirmed that my appeal letter had been received. I still haven't had a response as yet and am feeling more and more stressed at the thought of the hearing that will be coming at some point soon. I'm not good with confrontation and have to gather evidence and further information to help my case. I've asked for my job description to be sent, I've got a copy of the University's work ethics brochure and personnel also suggested getting some written support from work colleagues which will be hard to do but I'm seeing a colleague tomorrow so will discuss it with them.
Nursery - I have collected the forms from my local nursery and the thought of dropping Joel off there on his own tears me up! He gets upset if he's away from me at the moment and I know he needs to learn I can go away and come back but it's hard. I feel like we're starting to get into a time where we need to set some boundaries but it's so hard.
Joel - is so brilliant at the moment. He is sitting up so well and sits and plays for ages so nicely. He doesn't try to pick his toys up to put in his mouth now and keeps himself busy with his v-tech driver toy and pop up toys. He looks so much older this week as well and has a good head of hair which makes him come across as older as well. My baby is a little boy now! He's really mobile and rolls about and shuffles and does this cute army crawl as though he's under the nets in the mud! He loves balls and passing them from hand to hand.
House - My house is currently on the market and we had a viewer last week but he's not sold his so is not in a position to put an offer in, so we're just waiting still. We've been on the market for almost 10 months and not a lot is going on which is a pain. We've been babyproofing the lounge though with Joel rolling around lots and we've mounted the tv on the wall and got rid of the tv cabinet. We also took the changing table down which has been in the lounge for nappies and toy storage and the room is so much bigger now!! We're going to get a storage box/seat which will house his toy collection.
Sleeping - with teething being disruptive we had a great night last night! He fed at 10pm and slept till 6am and after a feed went back to bed till 9am! I was awake before him at 8.30 and managed to get dressed, have my breakfast, hang out a load of washing and get his lunch together before he woke! Fab!
My main source of stress is definitely the appeal. It feels as though it's a black cloud hanging over me. I just hope it's resolved by Christmas. I'd hate to think I was having to worry about it during what should be a happy time. No, Christmas will be happy regardless I'm sure. I am so very excited about Joel's first Christmas and have bought him a personalised stocking which I'll put some little bits in like bubbles, and treasure basket type things that he can chew on and rattle! We're having Christmas Day at home which I'm really looking forward to.
And here's another picture of the reason I need to appeal!
I want to be the one there for him for most of his early days. He's my top priority now and work will have to accept that, whatever they decide. It may make for some tough decisions but they won't be tough really. As long as he's happy then I'm happy! And how cute is his hat?! He has two courtesy of his twin cousins!!
Appeal - I rang personnel at work today and they confirmed that my appeal letter had been received. I still haven't had a response as yet and am feeling more and more stressed at the thought of the hearing that will be coming at some point soon. I'm not good with confrontation and have to gather evidence and further information to help my case. I've asked for my job description to be sent, I've got a copy of the University's work ethics brochure and personnel also suggested getting some written support from work colleagues which will be hard to do but I'm seeing a colleague tomorrow so will discuss it with them.
Nursery - I have collected the forms from my local nursery and the thought of dropping Joel off there on his own tears me up! He gets upset if he's away from me at the moment and I know he needs to learn I can go away and come back but it's hard. I feel like we're starting to get into a time where we need to set some boundaries but it's so hard.
Joel - is so brilliant at the moment. He is sitting up so well and sits and plays for ages so nicely. He doesn't try to pick his toys up to put in his mouth now and keeps himself busy with his v-tech driver toy and pop up toys. He looks so much older this week as well and has a good head of hair which makes him come across as older as well. My baby is a little boy now! He's really mobile and rolls about and shuffles and does this cute army crawl as though he's under the nets in the mud! He loves balls and passing them from hand to hand.
House - My house is currently on the market and we had a viewer last week but he's not sold his so is not in a position to put an offer in, so we're just waiting still. We've been on the market for almost 10 months and not a lot is going on which is a pain. We've been babyproofing the lounge though with Joel rolling around lots and we've mounted the tv on the wall and got rid of the tv cabinet. We also took the changing table down which has been in the lounge for nappies and toy storage and the room is so much bigger now!! We're going to get a storage box/seat which will house his toy collection.
Sleeping - with teething being disruptive we had a great night last night! He fed at 10pm and slept till 6am and after a feed went back to bed till 9am! I was awake before him at 8.30 and managed to get dressed, have my breakfast, hang out a load of washing and get his lunch together before he woke! Fab!
My main source of stress is definitely the appeal. It feels as though it's a black cloud hanging over me. I just hope it's resolved by Christmas. I'd hate to think I was having to worry about it during what should be a happy time. No, Christmas will be happy regardless I'm sure. I am so very excited about Joel's first Christmas and have bought him a personalised stocking which I'll put some little bits in like bubbles, and treasure basket type things that he can chew on and rattle! We're having Christmas Day at home which I'm really looking forward to.
And here's another picture of the reason I need to appeal!
Sunday 20 November 2011
Tired Today
Every few weeks the regular 4am wake ups seem to get to me, and I need time to myself. As it's Sunday I'd gone to church to play in the worship group but got there and burst into tears with tiredness! So I came home and Steve went off to Church with Joel in the buggy and Izzy so I could have the house to myself. I miss Joel terribly but it is nice to have a few hours to hang out in bed and catch up with Desperate Housewives and do a little blogging. My next plan is to have a nap and catch up with sleep. I've had a cup of tea, a bit of a weep (tiredness does that to me) and I'm trying to formulate a plan to get him to sleep through again. I am thinking of offering water at the 4am wake up to see if that pacifies him to get back to sleep without milk, as he's not having milk from me in the morning at the moment, and it's becuase he's full from his 4am feed. I need to push him along a little bit but to be honest, I'm that dozy when I hear him cry I forget my plans and just offer him the boob as it means I'll probably get to sleep that bit faster.
I've looked on the babycentre forum and it seems Joel's sleep pattern is quite normal for a breast fed baby at 7 months old but it just feels like hard work at the moment for me. Steve works every day so it feels my job is looking after the baby, but to my mum it seems that she thinks I do it all and Steve doesn't help. Well, he doesn't at night, he is rubbish after hours and I'd worry about Joel being dropped or squished and I'm the one who wakes and hears him that Steve doesn't do so I'm awake anyway, whereas my Mum wouldn't hear me as a baby so my Dad was the one who got up and she thinks that's the way it ought to be!
Maybe I'm just feeling more sensitive as I'm tired. I know folk aren't judging me, but sometimes it just feels harder and that I worry more I'm doing things wrong. I guess they don't want me to be tired either and think suggesting formula is helpful. I know he should be sleeping through, he's on three meals a day and therefore doesn't 'need' a feed in the night, he's just used to it and that's when he's having his breakfast milk. A couple of times in the last fortnight he slept till 6.30, through so it can be done. I've got to me more resilient and write off a couple of days where I'm putting sleeping though into practise. I can't do the controlled crying. I'm not that way inclined so I've just got to pull myself together and see what I can do at 4am and water and cuddles it is. Lets see how this goes.
Now nap time.
I've looked on the babycentre forum and it seems Joel's sleep pattern is quite normal for a breast fed baby at 7 months old but it just feels like hard work at the moment for me. Steve works every day so it feels my job is looking after the baby, but to my mum it seems that she thinks I do it all and Steve doesn't help. Well, he doesn't at night, he is rubbish after hours and I'd worry about Joel being dropped or squished and I'm the one who wakes and hears him that Steve doesn't do so I'm awake anyway, whereas my Mum wouldn't hear me as a baby so my Dad was the one who got up and she thinks that's the way it ought to be!
Maybe I'm just feeling more sensitive as I'm tired. I know folk aren't judging me, but sometimes it just feels harder and that I worry more I'm doing things wrong. I guess they don't want me to be tired either and think suggesting formula is helpful. I know he should be sleeping through, he's on three meals a day and therefore doesn't 'need' a feed in the night, he's just used to it and that's when he's having his breakfast milk. A couple of times in the last fortnight he slept till 6.30, through so it can be done. I've got to me more resilient and write off a couple of days where I'm putting sleeping though into practise. I can't do the controlled crying. I'm not that way inclined so I've just got to pull myself together and see what I can do at 4am and water and cuddles it is. Lets see how this goes.
Now nap time.
Joel at 7 Months
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| Fun at Mum's and Toddlers!! |
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| Look at me!!! |
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| Not amused at being put in his pram suit! |
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| Bathtime |
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| Advertising daddy's company!! |
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Monday 14 November 2011
Saturday 12 November 2011
Tummy Snoozer
Friday 11 November 2011
Progress
All of a sudden, my baby seems much older than last week! This age just seems to be full of changes, and progress and all of it so fast! One day nothing, the next day something!
I took Joel for a photo at playgroup yesterday. It'll be a lovely Christmas present (from him) to his family and we got there, and the woman photographer (thank goodness else he'd have cried had it been a man!) asked if he was sitting up yet. I replied for about 3 seconds then toppling! So we decided to have a go, and I hesitantly placed him on the floor and hovered with my hands ready to catch him, and do you know what? He didn't topple at all! He just sat there with a big smile on his face as though to say, see what I can do!
I was amazed, and then thought, if he's only sat up at home with cushions he knows he can fall, so maybe without the cushions he was better and maintained his balance more? It'll make for a very cute picture though!
He's also fully rolling over now, onto his tummy. We've known he can do this for a while. At the last count he'd done it three times, but just seemed to not like being on his tummy, whereas now, he's seeing the benefits so it throwing himself into it with gusto. Placing his toys of reach seems to have helped as he rolls over to select which one he wants, then rolls back again holding it for a chew before getting bored and rolling back to get another one! Or, like this morning, rolling over and pulling his playmat towards him to get all the toys in one go! I didn't see that one coming, but had to admire his logic!
He's so strong when he 'stands' on our knees, and loves being up like that. I walked to my parents yesterday with him in his baby sling and he giggled and really enjoyed the view, and I could feel his little legs kicking about as though he were walking on the air! And no passer by could walk past without a smile at seeing him so happy with the world!
I took Joel for a photo at playgroup yesterday. It'll be a lovely Christmas present (from him) to his family and we got there, and the woman photographer (thank goodness else he'd have cried had it been a man!) asked if he was sitting up yet. I replied for about 3 seconds then toppling! So we decided to have a go, and I hesitantly placed him on the floor and hovered with my hands ready to catch him, and do you know what? He didn't topple at all! He just sat there with a big smile on his face as though to say, see what I can do!
I was amazed, and then thought, if he's only sat up at home with cushions he knows he can fall, so maybe without the cushions he was better and maintained his balance more? It'll make for a very cute picture though!
He's also fully rolling over now, onto his tummy. We've known he can do this for a while. At the last count he'd done it three times, but just seemed to not like being on his tummy, whereas now, he's seeing the benefits so it throwing himself into it with gusto. Placing his toys of reach seems to have helped as he rolls over to select which one he wants, then rolls back again holding it for a chew before getting bored and rolling back to get another one! Or, like this morning, rolling over and pulling his playmat towards him to get all the toys in one go! I didn't see that one coming, but had to admire his logic!
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| How did I get under here?! Oh, so that's how I stay up in my Jumperoo! |
He's so strong when he 'stands' on our knees, and loves being up like that. I walked to my parents yesterday with him in his baby sling and he giggled and really enjoyed the view, and I could feel his little legs kicking about as though he were walking on the air! And no passer by could walk past without a smile at seeing him so happy with the world!
Thursday 10 November 2011
HV Check
We went to the Health Visitor this week, and Joel has done it again! Put on a perfect pound over the last four weeks! So he's now weighing in at 17lbs and 1oz! He's on the perfect centile which I don't really understand but as long as he's doing well I'm chuffed with that.
He's also got a bit of baby excema on his shoulders which flares up when he's hot and bothered, and it's been irritating him and making him scratch himself horribly, so he's got a bundle of new creams and a steroid cream to use for the next couple of weeks to sort it out. The redness has gone down already and although he's still scratching a little, I think it's a lot better.
He's 30 weeks next Wednesday! Cannot believe it! :)
He's also got a bit of baby excema on his shoulders which flares up when he's hot and bothered, and it's been irritating him and making him scratch himself horribly, so he's got a bundle of new creams and a steroid cream to use for the next couple of weeks to sort it out. The redness has gone down already and although he's still scratching a little, I think it's a lot better.
He's 30 weeks next Wednesday! Cannot believe it! :)
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Appeal Time
As per my previous posts my flexible work request was rejected, which left me feeling dejected (little rhyme there!!) so having thought long and hard about all the pros and cons of the situation, I had to submit my appeal letter by today else it'd be the end of it, so I felt putting it in by the deadline and then rescinding it if I changed my mind would be a better solution.
So off went my letter to the director of personnel, including all previous correspondence. And now I wait. I should hear from them within 14 days. And then the non-fun will begin.
So first, here are my cons:
I wasn't enamoured of my job to start with, so was looking elsewhere before maternity anyway.
I hate having to appeal and the whole idea of confrontation terrifies me, and the hearing sounds very formal.
The appeal means I have to think about actually going back to work which pains me.
The chances of it actually being upheld are slim to none.
The process is likely to stress me out.
There are not a lot of other jobs out there part time which would suit me
And the pros:
If it all goes according to plan then I would be able to go back to work 2.5 days a week
Joel would have his childcare all sorted.
I could go back in January and not have any unpaid time off
I could think about setting up my own business
Even though my office isn't so family friendly, the University is a great place to work, great holidays, decent wages, and I won't find that anywhere else.
We'd be better off financially and it'd help us with moving house.
I have friends at work and it'd be good to feel a bit like 'me' again, and they're all supporting me.
And not forgetting, if my God is for me, who can be against me?!
So off went my letter to the director of personnel, including all previous correspondence. And now I wait. I should hear from them within 14 days. And then the non-fun will begin.
So first, here are my cons:
I wasn't enamoured of my job to start with, so was looking elsewhere before maternity anyway.
I hate having to appeal and the whole idea of confrontation terrifies me, and the hearing sounds very formal.
The appeal means I have to think about actually going back to work which pains me.
The chances of it actually being upheld are slim to none.
The process is likely to stress me out.
There are not a lot of other jobs out there part time which would suit me
And the pros:
If it all goes according to plan then I would be able to go back to work 2.5 days a week
Joel would have his childcare all sorted.
I could go back in January and not have any unpaid time off
I could think about setting up my own business
Even though my office isn't so family friendly, the University is a great place to work, great holidays, decent wages, and I won't find that anywhere else.
We'd be better off financially and it'd help us with moving house.
I have friends at work and it'd be good to feel a bit like 'me' again, and they're all supporting me.
And not forgetting, if my God is for me, who can be against me?!
Monday 7 November 2011
Family Time
Here's some pictures from our mini-break....
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| Daddy and Joel filming a sunset time lapse |
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| Mummy and Joel wrapped up snugly warm |
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| Joel and his serious face! |
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| Enjoying the scenery from his buggy |
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| Taking a bath in our hotel |
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| Eating his bath toys |
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| Not impressed with the lovely waterfalls |
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| Out by Loch Trool |
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| Sunshiney days |
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| Taking the news after breakfast |
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| Enjoying the beach despite the cold! |
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| Lunch |
Holidays with a Baby
It makes for a different sort of holiday! Your time is still not your own. There are no lie ins, and the amount of stuff you have to take is the same as for 4 days or 2 weeks!
You have travel cots and different meal times to contend with, and there's no way you can do home made food when staying in a hotel.
Luckily for us, Joel was really easy going and each night we were there, the better he slept.
He took to sucking the puree out of the Plum and Ella's Kitchen pouches, with fresh banana and bits of bread and teacakes for finger food, and I had taken some yoghurts for him as well.
In fact, since we've been back, he's not been pooping at 6am anymore which is helpful as he's sleeping in for a bit longer of a morning! And he's been eating my home cooking with added gusto as well which is nice!
We managed our days out around his routine and nap times and he napped in his buggy at lunch times, and we were usually in the hotel for his morning nap, and sometimes his afternoon nap.
We found it so relaxing just watching films and playing with him, and he loved having us both just sitting on the bed with him and playing with him. It was wonderful.
I guess the next time won't be so easy once he's on the move and needs more entertainment!
You have travel cots and different meal times to contend with, and there's no way you can do home made food when staying in a hotel.
Luckily for us, Joel was really easy going and each night we were there, the better he slept.
He took to sucking the puree out of the Plum and Ella's Kitchen pouches, with fresh banana and bits of bread and teacakes for finger food, and I had taken some yoghurts for him as well.
In fact, since we've been back, he's not been pooping at 6am anymore which is helpful as he's sleeping in for a bit longer of a morning! And he's been eating my home cooking with added gusto as well which is nice!
We managed our days out around his routine and nap times and he napped in his buggy at lunch times, and we were usually in the hotel for his morning nap, and sometimes his afternoon nap.
We found it so relaxing just watching films and playing with him, and he loved having us both just sitting on the bed with him and playing with him. It was wonderful.
I guess the next time won't be so easy once he's on the move and needs more entertainment!
Friday 4 November 2011
Time Away
We are having our first family break and its lovely!
We are in south Scotland, staying in a really nice hotel, and the weather has been wonderful so far. We're having dinner, bed and breakfast for four days, and as a big fan of food I've been really pleasantly surprised how great the restaurant here is.
Joel has been brilliant, and although he seems a little wary of the travel cot up here, our bed is so huge I've been bringing him in to doze with us if he's not settled. He's lying next to me on the bed at the moment as Steve has gone out filming the night sky.
We drove up in four hours on Thursday with a two hour stint to Lancaster, a nice long break for Joel and then just over two hours to Carlisle and onwards to Newton Stewart. We chilled out watching tv and playing with Joel (who seems to love lying on the bed with us!) and then went down to dinner. He got very tired so we had our desserts upstairs. What did we eat I hear you ask? I had garlic and rosemary breaded brie for a starter, lamb cutlets for my main and then the most delicious poached pear for pudding. Steve went for a haggis tower, lamb shanks and strawberry cheesecake.
Once upstairs Joel had a lovely bath and went off to bed quite readily whilst Steve and I watched a film together. It was an evening I will always remember, not trying to be soppy, but everything was just perfect and that doesn't really happen a lot for us!!
Today we've been to a whiskey distillery and then drove along a Queen's road through the Galloway forest and stopped off all along to see some breathtaking views, red deer, wild goats and waterfalls.
And we went a little early to dinner which meant Joel made it through pudding tonight. I had a homemade pate with scottish oatcakes, sea bass in a delicious wine sauce and then a fruity meringue tower. Steve had the brie, scampi and the cheesecake again!!
Joel hasn't been eating loads as his routine is a little out of whack, and we had a very solid nappy earlier as he's not had enough water (his cup leaked whilst out today :( so I didn't want to use mineral water) and I've been using ready bought pouches with bits of bread and fruit in between and he's not asking for more food and doesn't seem to be wanting more milk than normal.
I wish I'd brought his baby sling along, we've carried him where a buggy won't go but he's a heavy boy now!! Theres stuff I've packed we've not needed and more bits we could have used but for a first attempt we've not done too badly!
We're going to the coast tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to that!! Then home again on Sunday.
We are in south Scotland, staying in a really nice hotel, and the weather has been wonderful so far. We're having dinner, bed and breakfast for four days, and as a big fan of food I've been really pleasantly surprised how great the restaurant here is.
Joel has been brilliant, and although he seems a little wary of the travel cot up here, our bed is so huge I've been bringing him in to doze with us if he's not settled. He's lying next to me on the bed at the moment as Steve has gone out filming the night sky.
We drove up in four hours on Thursday with a two hour stint to Lancaster, a nice long break for Joel and then just over two hours to Carlisle and onwards to Newton Stewart. We chilled out watching tv and playing with Joel (who seems to love lying on the bed with us!) and then went down to dinner. He got very tired so we had our desserts upstairs. What did we eat I hear you ask? I had garlic and rosemary breaded brie for a starter, lamb cutlets for my main and then the most delicious poached pear for pudding. Steve went for a haggis tower, lamb shanks and strawberry cheesecake.
Once upstairs Joel had a lovely bath and went off to bed quite readily whilst Steve and I watched a film together. It was an evening I will always remember, not trying to be soppy, but everything was just perfect and that doesn't really happen a lot for us!!
Today we've been to a whiskey distillery and then drove along a Queen's road through the Galloway forest and stopped off all along to see some breathtaking views, red deer, wild goats and waterfalls.
And we went a little early to dinner which meant Joel made it through pudding tonight. I had a homemade pate with scottish oatcakes, sea bass in a delicious wine sauce and then a fruity meringue tower. Steve had the brie, scampi and the cheesecake again!!
Joel hasn't been eating loads as his routine is a little out of whack, and we had a very solid nappy earlier as he's not had enough water (his cup leaked whilst out today :( so I didn't want to use mineral water) and I've been using ready bought pouches with bits of bread and fruit in between and he's not asking for more food and doesn't seem to be wanting more milk than normal.
I wish I'd brought his baby sling along, we've carried him where a buggy won't go but he's a heavy boy now!! Theres stuff I've packed we've not needed and more bits we could have used but for a first attempt we've not done too badly!
We're going to the coast tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to that!! Then home again on Sunday.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Guns Blazing...
I've been angry today. and I'm not an angry person in general. But the more I think about work, and their out and out rejection the more angry I get. I have no doubt that had my manager been supportive, the outcome would have been different. Had I not got the days I preferred, or been put in a different job I wouldn't have minded, but to have them just say no, when they're meant to be a family friendly institution is outrageous. And ergo, I will appeal.
In the meantime, I will have to put off going back to work as childcare will be an issue. Joel can go to nursery from February on a Friday, and then from April he can have a Wednesday so if I took till the 28th March on maternity, then added some holiday onto that, we could get to April which would mean my parents would have him two days a week, and if I can have the four day weeks for six weeks, I'd have him on a Monday, then possibly my mother in law would have him on a Monday (we've not spoken yet about this but she's said she will help out where she can and it's an option) so I'm feeling a little calmer that he'll be ok although full time work will make me miserable and stressed. I do not believe you can work full time, look after a baby and a house all at once. It's too much.
So I now have 14 days to put a case together. I shall email personnel for advice in the first instance about my maternity dates then put pen to paper (or keyboard to laptop?!) and do a draft.
I just can't believe they said no.
In the meantime, I will have to put off going back to work as childcare will be an issue. Joel can go to nursery from February on a Friday, and then from April he can have a Wednesday so if I took till the 28th March on maternity, then added some holiday onto that, we could get to April which would mean my parents would have him two days a week, and if I can have the four day weeks for six weeks, I'd have him on a Monday, then possibly my mother in law would have him on a Monday (we've not spoken yet about this but she's said she will help out where she can and it's an option) so I'm feeling a little calmer that he'll be ok although full time work will make me miserable and stressed. I do not believe you can work full time, look after a baby and a house all at once. It's too much.
So I now have 14 days to put a case together. I shall email personnel for advice in the first instance about my maternity dates then put pen to paper (or keyboard to laptop?!) and do a draft.
I just can't believe they said no.
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