Well, it seems as though Matt has caught everyone up on the deep and profound reasons why a baby was strongly desired in our household (passive voice intentional). The last part of our (pre)Nessie story is the one at which all current parents will certainly scoff, so I figured I would be the one to stand for the mocking. Here is where I confidently describe why it makes logical sense, monetarily and logistically, for us to have a baby while we are in Edinburgh.

Go on, I'll wait while you finish laughing. Tissue?


I know how preposterously ridiculous is the idea that we could ascertain the time in our life a baby would be most convenient; any parent will clutch his/her sides and gasp, "Those fools! Having a child is never convenient, and plans are always laid to waste! How disappointed they will be when it all comes crumbling down 'round their ears!" I don't mean that we have every aspect of our Nessie's life planned, that the college savings fund is set up, that baby supplies are already boxed neatly in the nursery (wait, we don't even have a nursery), or even that we know where to get the best deal on diapers.

Wait, scratch that. I'm pretty sure Rob and Emma did the diapers search and found that Costco has the best deals around here for nappies. And Lidl has the cheapest formula. But I digress.

Here, in no particular order, and the reasons why having a child here is less crazy than waiting until I finish vet school:
1. Life here is hectic and busy, but not as hectic and busy as starting work as a vet will be. Here, I have weekends and evenings off of class, and I get several vacations a year. I'm relatively certain that the new associate in a practice is the one who is always on night/weekend call, covers 60 or more hours a week, and has to plan even emergency heart surgery at least 6 months in advance.
2. We are in the fortunate position of Matt being able to stay home and take care of the baby, at least for awhile. Since when is a woman so blessed that she gets to pursue a career and build a family with a husband who not only supports her emotionally, but also physically and spiritually and financially? Seriously, people.
3. We have a pretty seriously awesome support group here. Besides the awesomeness of Rob and Emma, our across the way neighbours are also fabulous and supportive AND she's 14 weeks pregnant with their second baby! It's baby city here on he Cowgate.
4. Socialised health care may not be everything it's cracked up to be, but it does mean something to me that my baby and I will have free health care, prescriptions, basic dental, etc. That saves a pretty good deal of money right there, y'know?


There are more reasons right now, but I am way too tired to think of them. It was, in any event, enough reasons for us to try for a baby and succeed in an extremely efficient way (hello, famous Potter fertility!). Here we are, 10 and a half weeks along into the journey. I hope you guys still like us and don't think we have jumped too far off the deep end.

In the meantime, Happy Valentine's Day!