July 10, 2007
Even though there is a strong possibility that no one even cares but me, I seem to have gotten into a groove of some light updates regarding the World Series of Poker. That’s all happening over on my livejournal. So, if you’re interested in that sort of thing, check it out.
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In other news:
I really am trying to get a new site set up for the kids. H has wonderfully offered to set up Wordpress for me and help with design and such, because as much as I want a site for them, I simply have no time to get it all done.
To whit: I keep forgetting to register the damn domain.
So, in the meantime, I’ll continue updating here.
Yes, The Jelly is of the female variety. I thought I mentioned that early on in my last entry, but apparently, I totally blanked on it. Sorry about that.
My official ultrasound isn’t until July 12, but I am so danged impatient (really?) that we went out to an independent ultrasound place in one of the next towns over. I’m really glad we did because I ended up with a ton of pictures and they are the clearest ultrasound pictures that have ever been able to be obtained on me. We also got a DVD of the whole ultrasound process, including the heartbeat.
So, not only did I get the requisite alien shot (skull), but there is a definite crotch shot wherein there is a distinct lack of male parts. I asked the technician: “So, it couldn’t be folded away or tucked up or just going the other way?” and he responded that the only way this baby is a boy is if it is not developing properly. So, hopefully it really is a girl.
We’re pretty excited. Not that we wouldn’t have been with a boy. In fact, I was in shock for a good part of the day, because I had myself convinced that it was a boy. The appointment was back on June 23 and I think I just now grasped the fact that it’s a girl. (Even though the very next day we painted what will eventually become her room.)
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And the most exciting (albeit scary) part of this is the fact that I may actually be able to straight out quit my job when the baby is born. (This part deals with my talking about money, so if that bugs you, feel free to tune out.)
Not only “be able to”, but “would be financially stupid” if I didn’t. Infant care is INSANELY expensive. As in upwards of $1,000. The daycare is at a facility that is part of the school where The Girlie attends private elementary school. The infant care is so expensive that our multiple child discount (which, I can’t believe now applies to me!), would actually be on The Girlie’s school, rather than the daycare, because school is actually cheaper than care.
Which, kind of makes sense to me, but on another level feels like a completely different type of wrong. so, anyway. What I would be bringing home in income would essentially equal School tuition, infant care, gas money to get me to work, and MAYBE some savings. MAYBE. If I changed my withholdings and dropped my 401K contributions.
So, we’re looking into having me quit, but I’m resisting it precisely because of what occurred with The Ex. I know this marriage is completely different from that one, in that Jesse is incredibly dedicated to work and making sure that he is doing all that he can to support us. He not only wants me at home, but goes above and beyond what needs to be done to make it happen. He has recently gotten a promotion, a raise and when the merge of his company is complete on August 1, he will be getting another type of raise of sorts.
So, theorectically, and on paper, even with my quitting, once the merge is complete and we see how his “compensation plan” works out, it is possible that he will be making more than we were making combined before the most recent raise. Not a whole lot more, and not equal to what we are making right now, but more. Without my working. So, again, in theory and on paper, it is entirely possible for me to stay at home and raise The Jelly.
I am just extremely gun-shy about it because I’ve tried that in the past, without such not great results. Again, I know, I know, I know this is different, but the disaster of my trying to stay at home with The Girlie was one of those life blunders that you make that you just don’t forget quickly or get over easily. I was still paying for it (literally) up to a year ago and, again, every day, Jesse and I marvel at how different our lives are from now and when we got together. And even though I can look at that and know that there isn’t anything he and I can’t do together, it will just take a little bit longer and more intense budgeting for me to really get comfortable with the fact that I may be able to realistically, responsibly and financially safely stay home with this baby. In fact, again, it may be financially stupid for me not to.
Of course, this would all be different, I’m sure, if I had ever completed my college degree and had gotten an actual career instead of just a job, but for once, that isn’t making me feel like a failure. If I had actually gotten a college degree, I would have shot myself in the foot, in that I wouldn’t even have the choice to stay home. I would make too much money for us to lose the income. For once, slackerdom has actually benefitted me! Who’d have thunk?