New here.

Hi. I'm currently 36 weeks with my first. My DH and I have been married 9 years and we were told 5 years ago we couldn't have kids. We both work in careers with children - he's a teacher and I'm a youth minister and professional counselor in training. We love kids but when we found out we couldn't have any we just decided to pursue other things like higher education. Needless to say we were totally surprised by the pregnancy but both delighted b/c we truly do love kids. On the other hand our earlier life choices have put us in a rough financial position for raising kids. My husband has a masters in education but works for less than 30K b/c he chooses to work at missionary schools. I was supposed to start my internship to get my full professional counseling license this month but I'm 9 months pregnant instead. I have been able to put off my internship by taking extra graduate classes so I can be home for the first six months of LO's life. I really want to pursue my career to the fullest and get a Phd. I will have my masters and license by the time LO is a year old. My plan was to work for 2 years while also teaching at a community college and then apply for grants to get my Phd. I still want to do that but it's going to take a little longer. I just don't see myself being able to take another break in my career for another baby. My husband and I have always lived on two salaries and I generally make more than he does. It's important that I return to work soon. We have downgraded our living situation to a one bedroom apartment but the LO will need his own room in a year. I want to be able to offer him the choice of going to private schools and pursuing whatever goals whether musical or athletic, he wants. Anyways I'm sure that this is my one and only. I'm actually thinking of getting the esure implants 6 weeks post-partum just to be sure. I don't want to tell anyone else - except DH of course - b/c I'm afraid of the judgment. Most of my college friends have 3 or 4 kids by now - there's no way they'll get it. And before they all just had sympathy for me b/c the doctor said we couldn't have kids. So I'm glad to join a forum where other mothers have made this choice too.