@madamerin thanks that's a great way to bring it up with HR and not make any leading notions that I may not come back or whatever! We do have a STD vendor so I suppose I should give them a call and see what their policy is. I don't actually start on my company's health insurance until Nov.1 because I am turning 26 in a week and coverage on my mom's insurance runs through the end of the month. So hopefully I can get everything squared away in 3 months....
My plan is also to work until I go into labor. It might be trickier for me since the state has mandated 60 day timelines to complete evaluations, but my coworker and I will be coming up with a contingency plan or backup plan. Most of our contingency/back-up plan ideas are in case LO decides to come early.
I would hate to leave my coworker with half-completed evaluations but she is very kind and understanding and is willing to complete evals for me if needed. It also helps that winter is our slow season. We have already discussed me potentially having a "cut-off" date (for instance I won't pick up any evals due 1/20 or later) just to keep things easier.
We don't know yet if someone will cover for me while I'm out on leave since it's hard to find school psychologists in our area, but we plan to meet with our supervisor very soon to go over all of this.
I'll be working till labor. With DD, I was almost 42 weeks before they finally went ahead and induced, so working till the end will help me stay occupied if this one decided she isn't ready to come out yet too. I work in an office in a hospital, so it's not a bad place for labor to start:)
My biggest fear is going into labor at work with all the socially awkward Physics guys I work with. Especially my boss. Oye. Like, seriously, imagine the cast of the Big Bang Theory. yes, that is who I work with but average age 20+ years.
DD1- Aug11 Angel Baby- June13, said goodbye Oct12 DD2- Aug13 DD3- due Feb17
While you do get an extra boost of radiation while flying and going through the scanners it's actually not all that much more than what you get on a daily basis. I went through the scanners. However, if you personally still don't feel comfortable they always have someone ready for the pat down if that'll make you feel better.
eta: I suppose if I was flying fairly regularly during my pregnancy I would opt for the pat down just to be safe but just one flight and back you should be perfectly fine.
How safe are the TSA body scanners while pregnant? Would you go through it or opt to be patted down?
Every medical person I have asked has said it's completely safe. The regular scanners use a very low-energy magnetic field, and the body scanners use very low-dose x-rays. You are actually exposed to more radiation while flying than you are going through the machines. And altogether, the exposure is really, really minimal - not enough to do damage.
ETA: An article I just found said the new scanners actually use radio waves to detect hidden objects - so even less chance of any harm. The used to use low-dose x-rays, but they switched to radio waves in 2013 b/c the old machines apparently showed too much (privacy concerns).
How safe are the TSA body scanners while pregnant? Would you go through it or opt to be patted down?
Every medical person I have asked has said it's completely safe. The regular scanners use a very low-energy magnetic field, and the body scanners use very low-dose x-rays. You are actually exposed to more radiation while flying than you are going through the machines. And altogether, the exposure is really, really minimal - not enough to do damage.
ETA: An article I just found said the new scanners actually use radio waves to detect hidden objects - so even less chance of any harm. The used to use low-dose x-rays, but they switched to radio waves in 2013 b/c the old machines apparently showed too much (privacy concerns).
Thank you! This makes me feel a lot better about flying next week!
How safe are the TSA body scanners while pregnant? Would you go through it or opt to be patted down?
I researched when traveling and it is supposedly safe, did make me nervous though, but I have traveled twice since pregnant and will be traveling one more time.
I have had way more people ask me this time around if I am coming back versus with my last. I am very much the working type and really enjoy my job. Plus all the students loans and such to pay back. I have found that having a good support system in place for childcare is key. Find people you trust and are confident in taking care of your kids. Personally we have always gone the nanny route versus daycare because of schedule issues, but that obviously doesn't work for everyone. I can't imagine being a SAHM and have lots of respect for those that do.
@WinchesterGirl Can't wait to hear how your DH did! Fingers and toes crossed for both of you
@LilyASF42 it's nice to hear from you, hope you stick around!
My newest Random is a bit of TMI- but I get charlie horses in the arches of my feet, I've always gotten them because of yoga, but lately they're all the time. Anyways, last night during a bit of sexy time my foot cramped up so bad and I was pretty vocal about it...DH was beaming and looking all proud, I didn't have the heart to tell him what happened after that, I guess I inadvertently faked an O and just went with it.
Re TSA scanners: Sharing a bed with another human produces a dose of about 2 milirem per year. Each TSA scan has up to .01. There's a lot of fear-mongering around radiation, but we're cool, ya'll
How safe are the TSA body scanners while pregnant? Would you go through it or opt to be patted down?
I asked the TSA guy this when I flew at like 6w and asked for another option (ex. Metal detector) and he was basically like "no, you'll be fine." Don't I get that option no matter my reason?!
I think I have some seriously low iron. My MW didn't do an official check because her advice would be the same: eat iron rich foods, cook in a cast iron, try chlorophyll/vit. c combo orrr this liquid supplement called Floradix. I get the Floradix in the mail today and if anyone is curious how it goes, tag me in a week or two. In the mean time, anyone have any iron rich recipes they are willing to share? So far I have a lot of smoothies and minestrone soup.
DD1- Aug11 Angel Baby- June13, said goodbye Oct12 DD2- Aug13 DD3- due Feb17
My due date is the end of February vacation, so my last day is the Friday that vacation starts. I will probably go late again, but there is noooooooo way I will go into work and teach overdue!!!
Re working up until your due date, I'm not sure if this is just in CA, but here you can have up to 4 weeks before you deliver your baby in pregnancy disability leave, and that does not cut into the time you get for family leave after you have the baby - it is totally separate. I'm going to try to take 1-2 weeks beforehand to just relax and prepare.
@Lafreeman21 my husband is also the one of us who would be a SAH parent, not me. He works from home and has a very flexible schedule, so he is going to care for our baby 2-3 days a week and she will be at the childcare center my firm has on the other days. I'm curious how it will go, how he will like it, and how/if it will change our relationship dynamic.... We'll see!!
@MissMerciBeaucoup it depends. I pay for supplemental disability insurance and I can go out up to 4 weeks before my due date and collect from them (about 60% of my salary). BUT that would start the clock on my 12 weeks FMLA during which my employer continues to pay for my benefits and hold my job. Just depends on your state and company.
I'll be working right up until I pop because I'm closer to our delivering hospital at work than I am at home...but being Minnesota, if the snow/ice this winter is too bad, I may ask to work from home for the last few weeks. My boss is petitioning to get me a parking spot closer to the front door though so I don't have to walk (what feels like) half a mile through the parking lot.
Also, on SAHM/working parent debate, I ultimately told my boss the other day that I'd need flexibility after the LO gets here because I was going to be the primary caretaker. H gets paid more than I do, but I am earning more at a younger age than he. We still decided his trajectory was better and we'd allow him to focus on his career, whereas I have primary daycare drop off/pick up, drs appts, and running out with LO is sick. I would love to try being a SAHM, but student loans are keeping me strapped to this desk for lyfe. Luckily, my boss took it well and didn't fight me on it.
ETA: I JUST RECEIVED CONFIRMATION OF NEGATIVE RABIES!! (Posted original story in last week's randoms, but 7 week old kitten bit me 10/9, randomly deteriorated and died 10/14...been waiting on rabies test results since Saturday). Woop Woop!
My maternity leave will start when I am ready to pop unless there are unforseen issues that make it hard for me to work. I can essentially start my leave at any point when I am ready, BUT I am limited to the time I am alotted, so I would rather wait until I am about to pop so I spend more time with baby girl. We get 12-15 weeks paid, and an additional 9 weeks that are unpaid. My goal is to try and take the whole 5-6 months off, as long as we can float my missing pay. One day I hope to be a SAHM, my job isn't what I would call a real career and I am not attached to it....I would much rather be at home raising my babies if the financial opportunity arises.
Team work 'tip I pop. I'm lucky though in that I can do light-duty, desk work only stuff if need be. Even if I end up on bed rest, I could probably occupy two full weeks with productive work.
Team work til you pop over here. I only work a mile from my house so even if labor starts fast and hard while I'm at work I can get home and have H take me to the birth center
I started my day organizing the guest closet soon to be nursery closet. Now I'm sitting on the floor of said room with crap from the closet strewn all around me and I'm painting a piece of furniture (see craft post). My husband is going to be like WTF.
I don't remember who I had to tag, but I know there were a few questions up above about real estate, and thought I would share a few things.
In between teaching and real estate, I had a year where I basically subbed. Lots of days where I had to drop the babies off at sitters, get out the door early, figure out lunches, etc. We sat down to do our taxes and I think I had made less than $3000, and that didn't include childcare costs. In my area, I should have made about $60k teaching full time.
When I sat down with my manager to be and he asked for my salary expectations, and I told him that anything between $3000 and $60,000 would be a good year for us.
The thing with real estate is that there are start up costs for classes, and monthly and yearly fees. The good news is that all business expenses get factored into your taxes. Depending on your broker agreement, you typically pay half your commission to your broker, have advertising expenses, etc.
I love the company I am with for many reasons, one of them being that my office is entirely kid friendly, and I can bring 1-3 of my kids anytime I need to. I know not every place is like that, but it was important to me.
I have busy days, weeks, months, I have some days I can focus on my family and nothing else. I work outside the home doing showings and opens, but there is a lot I do from home, paperwork, research, advertising, etc. You have to be flexible. My nights and weekends are usually the times clients need me, but I can schedule around dance classes, cub scouts, etc.
I love what I do, but none of it is about trying to make a lot of money. I love working with people, and it is a lot of fun most of the time. I guess the balance that is hard for me is that weeks I am an awesome Realtor, I usually feel like a crappy mom, if I am making dinner every night and the house is clean I am not being an awesome realtor, mainly if the business isn't there, I should be out prospecting, or following up on old leads or something.
I would say if you are even considering it, find a broker to talk to. I know in our company there is a recruiter, but usually reach office has a manager that could probably talk to you about it. Every market is going to be different, I am in an area where $75k-250k pricepoint for houses is about all I see with clients. If I lived in a different area or could pursue more listings around me that are at a higher price point I wouldn't have to work as much for the same money.
I hope that helps! When people ask what I mean by full time at both, it's usually this. Without set hours, I am not working 9-5, but I am open and available to clients all the time. So one week I might show 15 houses and write 2 offers, but the next week I am organizing my pantry. I am in charge of all daytime transportation of my kids, getting them to school, any doctors appointments, can volunteer and can run errands during the day. I have a lot of local family, and several friends that are great about helping if I need to drop a kid or 3 off, and it's free partly because I am around to offer the same for their kids, and honestly because my kids are older and easy going. If I didn't have that, it would be a lot harder.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
@Partyof6? Thanks! Here the house go anywhere from 200k to millions, but I would say the average is probably around the 300-400k. Like I get that I would have to work some weekends, some weekday etc, but it's the being able to have the flexibility to essentially make my own availibity that really seems appealing. My H and inlaws are really backing this idea, so I think I may take the plunge. Thanks for your response!
Thanks for all the well wishes ladies, just got off the phone with DH! He said it went great, he was able to answer every question, and overall he has a really good feeling! They will let him know as soon as they decide either way, so hopefully they decide soon. They mentioned in the interview they are looking for someone to take the position long term, which is a good sign for him. All in all, we are hopeful!
Re: Weekly Randoms (10/17)
I would hate to leave my coworker with half-completed evaluations but she is very kind and understanding and is willing to complete evals for me if needed. It also helps that winter is our slow season. We have already discussed me potentially having a "cut-off" date (for instance I won't pick up any evals due 1/20 or later) just to keep things easier.
We don't know yet if someone will cover for me while I'm out on leave since it's hard to find school psychologists in our area, but we plan to meet with our supervisor very soon to go over all of this.
ETA: An article I just found said the new scanners actually use radio waves to detect hidden objects - so even less chance of any harm. The used to use low-dose x-rays, but they switched to radio waves in 2013 b/c the old machines apparently showed too much (privacy concerns).
Me: 37 - H: 39
TTC#1: 01/2016
BFP: 06/18/2016 - EDD: 02/20/2017 - Born: 01/27/2017
Married to my Soul Mate since 09/06/09
you trust and are confident in taking care of your kids. Personally we have always gone the nanny route versus daycare because of schedule issues, but that obviously doesn't work for everyone. I can't imagine being a SAHM and have lots of respect for those that do.
@LilyASF42 it's nice to hear from you, hope you stick around!
My newest Random is a bit of TMI- but I get charlie horses in the arches of my feet, I've always gotten them because of yoga, but lately they're all the time. Anyways, last night during a bit of sexy time my foot cramped up so bad and I was pretty vocal about it...DH was beaming and looking all proud, I didn't have the heart to tell him what happened after that, I guess I inadvertently faked an O and just went with it.
Married: 10/10
EDD: 8/27/16 MMC 1/16
Rainbow Boy: 2/04/17
TTC: 4/18 BFP: 1/2/19
EDD: 9/6/19
don't forget about all those dangerous bananas and spinach as well
I think I have some seriously low iron. My MW didn't do an official check because her advice would be the same: eat iron rich foods, cook in a cast iron, try chlorophyll/vit. c combo orrr this liquid supplement called Floradix. I get the Floradix in the mail today and if anyone is curious how it goes, tag me in a week or two. In the mean time, anyone have any iron rich recipes they are willing to share? So far I have a lot of smoothies and minestrone soup.
@Lafreeman21 my husband is also the one of us who would be a SAH parent, not me. He works from home and has a very flexible schedule, so he is going to care for our baby 2-3 days a week and she will be at the childcare center my firm has on the other days. I'm curious how it will go, how he will like it, and how/if it will change our relationship dynamic.... We'll see!!
@winchestergirl good luck to your husband! I hope he gets the job!
So much chatter today I'm falling behind.
Also, on SAHM/working parent debate, I ultimately told my boss the other day that I'd need flexibility after the LO gets here because I was going to be the primary caretaker. H gets paid more than I do, but I am earning more at a younger age than he. We still decided his trajectory was better and we'd allow him to focus on his career, whereas I have primary daycare drop off/pick up, drs appts, and running out with LO is sick. I would love to try being a SAHM, but student loans are keeping me strapped to this desk for lyfe. Luckily, my boss took it well and didn't fight me on it.
ETA: I JUST RECEIVED CONFIRMATION OF NEGATIVE RABIES!! (Posted original story in last week's randoms, but 7 week old kitten bit me 10/9, randomly deteriorated and died 10/14...been waiting on rabies test results since Saturday). Woop Woop!
Team work til you pop over here. I only work a mile from my house so even if labor starts fast and hard while I'm at work I can get home and have H take me to the birth center
In between teaching and real estate, I had a year where I basically subbed. Lots of days where I had to drop the babies off at sitters, get out the door early, figure out lunches, etc. We sat down to do our taxes and I think I had made less than $3000, and that didn't include childcare costs. In my area, I should have made about $60k teaching full time.
When I sat down with my manager to be and he asked for my salary expectations, and I told him that anything between $3000 and $60,000 would be a good year for us.
The thing with real estate is that there are start up costs for classes, and monthly and yearly fees. The good news is that all business expenses get factored into your taxes. Depending on your broker agreement, you typically pay half your commission to your broker, have advertising expenses, etc.
I love the company I am with for many reasons, one of them being that my office is entirely kid friendly, and I can bring 1-3 of my kids anytime I need to. I know not every place is like that, but it was important to me.
I have busy days, weeks, months, I have some days I can focus on my family and nothing else. I work outside the home doing showings and opens, but there is a lot I do from home, paperwork, research, advertising, etc. You have to be flexible. My nights and weekends are usually the times clients need me, but I can schedule around dance classes, cub scouts, etc.
I love what I do, but none of it is about trying to make a lot of money. I love working with people, and it is a lot of fun most of the time. I guess the balance that is hard for me is that weeks I am an awesome Realtor, I usually feel like a crappy mom, if I am making dinner every night and the house is clean I am not being an awesome realtor, mainly if the business isn't there, I should be out prospecting, or following up on old leads or something.
I would say if you are even considering it, find a broker to talk to. I know in our company there is a recruiter, but usually reach office has a manager that could probably talk to you about it. Every market is going to be different, I am in an area where $75k-250k pricepoint for houses is about all I see with clients. If I lived in a different area or could pursue more listings around me that are at a higher price point I wouldn't have to work as much for the same money.
I hope that helps! When people ask what I mean by full time at both, it's usually this. Without set hours, I am not working 9-5, but I am open and available to clients all the time. So one week I might show 15 houses and write 2 offers, but the next week I am organizing my pantry. I am in charge of all daytime transportation of my kids, getting them to school, any doctors appointments, can volunteer and can run errands during the day. I have a lot of local family, and several friends that are great about helping if I need to drop a kid or 3 off, and it's free partly because I am around to offer the same for their kids, and honestly because my kids are older and easy going. If I didn't have that, it would be a lot harder.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Thanks! Here the house go anywhere from 200k to millions, but I would say the average is probably around the 300-400k.
Like I get that I would have to work some weekends, some weekday etc, but it's the being able to have the flexibility to essentially make my own availibity that really seems appealing.
My H and inlaws are really backing this idea, so I think I may take the plunge. Thanks for your response!
Thanks for all the well wishes ladies, just got off the phone with DH! He said it went great, he was able to answer every question, and overall he has a really good feeling! They will let him know as soon as they decide either way, so hopefully they decide soon. They mentioned in the interview they are looking for someone to take the position long term, which is a good sign for him. All in all, we are hopeful!