Happy Thursday! I took Monday off from blogging, since February was truly one of the craziest and busiest months for me between traveling almost every weekend, pregnancy, and our busy season at my full-time job. February flew by for me and I felt like I was struggling to keep it all together and felt exhausted all the time. Right now is the busiest season at work as we prepare for 3 huge mission trips. The busy-ness started in January, and let me just tell y’all that pregnancy brain hit me hard too. I was getting to the point where when I came home from work, I didn’t have the energy to do anything in my personal life like cooking, errands, blogging or getting ready for baby girl.
Let’s rewind to the past: Jake and I started talking about our future children even before we got married. We think a lot alike and agreed that when we had a child, I would be a stay at home mom. Both of our moms stayed at home and we feel like we greatly benefited from it. Jake even attributes how smart he is to the fact that his mother would read to him at a very young age. He was always advanced in school and we think it’s from the one-on-one relationship. Jake and I waited a while before starting our own family because we knew it wouldn’t be financially possible for me to stay at home while he was in medical school. We decided to wait until we both could have an income for a couple of years.
My original plan was to work almost through my whole pregnancy, but Jake and I decided we would never be able to get organized for the baby if we waited. I put in my one month notice at the end of January to be done with work by the end of February. I was so very busy in February because I wanted to leave my job with all of the stuff I was leaving behind as organized as I could. I’m excited to announce that, as of last Thursday, I am officially I am a stay at home wife/blogger and will be a stay at home mom once our baby girl arrives.
I feel greatly blessed to have this opportunity to get prepared for our baby girl and to really treat my blog as a business. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle working, blogging and being a mom when she first comes. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Blogging is a huge passion of mine, so I have a lot to prepare for. I know not everyone gets the opportunity to stay at home and I feel incredibly blessed. I know being a mom is the HARDEST job, but the most rewarding one too.It’s a very personal decision to make and for us, staying at home was the best fit for our family. Daycare is very expensive and would’ve taken most of my full-time job income. Lately my blog posts have been so last minute and my plan is to have some content done ahead of time, so I don’t abandon my blog when baby girl comes. If you have any requests please let me know.
I can see myself going back to work someday, but for now I am keeping myself incredibly busy as I organize our home for our baby girl and work on my blog. I’ve spent most of this week organizing after our showers because nesting has hit me hard. I also realize that it’s probably best for me to do the organizing now while I still feel great. I know in a couple of weeks I may be too exhausted. I’ve also noticed it is harder for me to bend over a lot and sit on the hard floors, so I am really happy with our decision to have this time.
I wanted to say thank you for following me on this journey. I feel so blessed to be able to follow this passion of mine and to stay at home with our baby girl.
Floral Maxi Dress:
Now on to fashion: I’ve been finding myself living in maxi dresses lately. This one is from Mother Bee Maternity and I got it off Poshmark. It literally feels like I’m wearing PJs. I found myself wearing it to work a lot, then styled it for a recent date night with a leather jacket. Most of my clothes that I’ve been wearing are not maternity, but this one is great for as I grow and will work for nursing too.
Shop My Outfit: Dress | Jacket
So proud of you for leaving your job!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Author
Thanks, Jennifer! It was a huge decision, but I am so happy.
Congratulations on the life change friend! I am thrilled for you and this new season! My mom stayed home with me, and I know I greatly benefited from it!! 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Author
Thanks, sweet friend! I am so excited about this new season.
That’s fantastic Courtney that you will be home full time when your daughter is born!
Author
Thanks, Monika! I am very excited about it 🙂
I worked til the end with my first child and had gained a tremendous amount of weight. It was exhausting towards the end. You made the right choice!
Author
That was very much my plan until the craziness of our busy season at work kicked in. I’m very glad I left early, I don’t think I could’ve done handled it.
I can totally relate with you on leaving job for a while and deciding to take care of this new life. It’s a Women’s decision and i totally support either ways. My mom continued working after maternity leave (it was just 30 days at that time) but my nan supported us. So i stayed with my grandmother (mum’s side) while my mum used to work. For me, it was a totally different scenario. We live in a different country and we have no family support here. I decided to leave my job to be able to devote more time to my child. It’s a hard decision but worth it!! I’m so proud of you lovely.
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Thank you so much for sharing your personal story, Ashh! You’re right, it’s definitely a woman’s choice. 🙂 I support either way too and feel blessed to have this opportunity.
Hello Courtney, I know she February was really busy for you from starting off with the Super Bowl, and then the traveling you did for the showers I can see why you need a break from blogging! I’m so glad that you will get to be a stay-at-home mom! The one on one time is very important for kids. It will be good for you to have the time to organize your house for when baby girl does arrive. I know from following you that everything will be perfect for her arrival! It is such a joy to follow you! This black floral maxi-dress is gorgeous on you, I have one very similar to it. Have a lovely weekend and please relax as much as possible !! Terri xoxo
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Hey Terri! Yes, it was such a busy month between work and travels. I feel so blessed to get to have this time to get organized before she comes then stay at home with her. 🙂 Aww you’re so sweet, that means a lot. I know you look lovely in your black floral maxi.
I got a lot done this weekend, but also did a lot of relaxing too 🙂 I hope your weekend was great too.
Thanks for the compliments, if I could look half as good as you I would be happy!! I am glad you can fit in relaxation, you need it Courtney. I hope you are enjoying this extra hour we have picked up, Terri xo.
Congratulations on leaving your job!! It is a lot to balance with having kids and blogging and working!!
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Thanks, Jenna! I am so excited for this opportunity. I know I couldn’t balance it all.
Oh wow, congratulations! That’s a fantastic step, Courtney! You’re seriously going to be the best mom.
And your floral maxi dress is absolutely gorgeous! I love how you style it too.
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You’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Lindsey. I am so excited for this new journey. 🙂