I’m pregnant! Hugely pregnant. I’m at 33 weeks, due September 16th. If I’ve been quiet on my blog and in general, that’s why. The baby, according to the latest ultrasound, is healthy and gaining weight even though there’s been a slight abnormality with the umbilical cord insertion to the placenta. I’ve been unable to travel for conferences this year, because I have to save up my sick / vacation time at work to cover my maternity leave. I’ll most likely be unable to travel for the better part of next year as well, because after taking maternity leave it’ll take some time to accrue leave again. Plus, I really want breastfeeding to work out this time and haring off to a convention won’t help with that. I’m hoping I’ll be up for attending conventions around October / November of next year, 2018.
With my own writing — even with a pregnancy, a toddler, and a full-time job — I’ve finished a new novel manuscript. It’s out for critique this month and my hope is to receive feedback before giving birth so that I can enact changes and query this fall. I haven’t written as many short stories as I’d like — something had to slide in this haze of sleep deprivation — but I have some news re short stories that I’ll announce as more details come up.
About three days ago, I started a new day job! It’s a new position at the same institution. It’s been a good first few days and I’m excited about learning new tasks and getting to know new people. The upside is, of course, more money to support my growing family; the downside is I’m 8 months pregnant and I’m SO TIRED and my new office is on the 3rd foor of a building with zero air circulation. I may broil to death.
Also, I bleached my hair. It’s all shiny and new and sometimes I startle myself when I look in the mirror while I’m half-asleep because I still haven’t adjusted to it. I’ll get my professional / bio pic updated soon, I swear, but finding a photographer, etc., is taking second place to accomplishing actual writing and preparing for the new addition to the family. Anyway, none of the clothes I like best fit right now, so eh. It can wait.
Love the update and love the hair! Best wishes to you, family and baby.