Pregnancy books

A selection of my pregnancy books. I haven’t read them all yet but I’ve bought them because they’ve been recommended to me. My favourite is What to Expect When You’re Expecting as  I like to read about weekly developments. I’ve just bought The Baby Diaries by Tess Daly which I’m hoping to read when I start my maternity leave soon.

Friday was spent interviewing for my maternity cover. It was a strange experience but we were fortunate to have really good candidates to choose between. Our choice was between two competent people but it’s been left to me to decide. Do I go with the person who will complete my objectives and take projects forward or someone who will just cover my day to day work?

I don’t want to be replaced by someone who will show me up but I also don’t want someone who won’t take all my hard work forward. I didn’t realise finishing work would be quite so emotional. Whilst I’m not going to particularly miss my work colleagues or the commute on a cramped train I will miss the weekly routine of work which I’ve done for the last 10 years.

Is it possible to still feel like yourself when everything you take for granted has changed? I know it will be replaced by new challenges, skills and friends but I can’t help grieving as it feels like I’m losing a bit of my old self.