Marco and I did NOT budget for the baby.  We ended up spending all extra funds on fertility treatments.  When Diego was born, I went on maternity leave, and the state disability plan gave me 55% of my salary.  I had paid into a supplemental disability insurance plan, which gave me another 35% of my salary, but it was not enough.  The limited funds put us behind, and we are only now beginning to feel that we are caught up.

We also found that as soon as Diego was born, all of our regular responsibilities were put on the back burner.  Not the immediate back burner, but one far enough in the back to be almost unreachable.  Yes, I was home all day.  No, I did not keep up with my Excel spreadsheet of bills.

I found that I was in a joyful fog, with little thought of the future, other than…

After nine months of a spoiled, easy pregnancy, and three lovely baby showers, our due date approached.  And we were ready!  We had taken Lamaze classes, a baby care class, a breastfeeding class, the hospital tour, and Marco did a “daddy boot camp” class.  My due date was July 25, 2013.  Kim Kardashian had her baby 5 weeks early, which gave me hope for an early birth.  Then my son would be a Cancer like me.  Selfish, I know, but don’t we always hope we will share things in common with our children?  Then Princess Kate had little Prince George in the middle of July, and I had no signs of labor.  Then my co-worker, whose due date was a week after mine, gave birth to her little girl.  Still no signs.

But I wasn’t worried.  I had the moon on my side.  I am pretty convinced a full moon…