Good News and Bad News

First, the bad news. When I returned to work after having Fletcher, I returned in a part-time capacity. Fletcher needed to be my priority and I wanted the flexibility of a reduced-hours work schedule to accommodate his needs. I was hesitant to take on additional responsibility because I knew that would interfere with Fletcher's optimum care. I will never regret that decision. However, enter the perfect storm of less-than-ideal market conditions, one of our biggest clients going under, my boss retiring, and a sharp decline in deal volume, and I think you know where this is heading. I have read that the key to job security in economic downturns is making yourself indispensable. Well, in order to maximize flexibility, I had set myself up to be the exact opposite. And, as a result, on Monday I was dispensed. Laid off. Dismissed. Let go.

Yes, I am going to miss this skyline view from my office window.

But I am happily trading it for this one.

While this isn't what I planned for, or what I would have chosen given the option, this does give me the opportunity to be a full-time mom for a little while, which brings me to the good news. If all goes as expected, Fletcher will be a big brother this summer! My wonderful sister Angie (Dorothy in the Halloween post below) is nearly 11 weeks pregnant as our gestational carrier. Fletcher's little sister is due mid-June. My mom has been giving Fletcher one of his cousin's dolls to play with to get him used to the idea (see the camera phone photo below). He does like to cuddle, but usually ends up chewing on its head. Yikes.