Babies are expensive

A colleague at work (pregnant with her second child) suggested looking into day care early as infant care is often popular and subject to availability and waiting lists. On her suggestion, I started doing some research today and am slightly discouraged, and thankful we're not having twins...

So the plan is to be pregnant, have the baby, and go back to work as financial necessity dictates. Obviously, it would be ideal if I could stay home, even part-time. Realistically, even with the cost of day care, it makes most sense for me to continue working, and I really like my job and would miss getting out of the house every day. My current plan is to be home for two months post-birth then go back to work, working two days from home. All this, of course, is subject to change on any number of factors...like work, Kenny's work/travel schedule, and the timely arrival of Baby Mikkalson.

So, assuming I can work from home two days each week (I'm already home one), I'll only need daycare for three days/week. Which equates to enough of a reduction in day care tuition to really pursue a part-time schedule. Full time rates were ranging from $1200/month (lowest) to almost $1700/month (with diaper supplies included..?). Now, I've not had a child before and not sought out day care before, never lived in the DC metro area before and not quite sure what all to expect. Additionally, I may have inadvertently reviewed search results that are not only highly rated, but highly-priced. Disclaimers aside, I'm having a little trouble digesting potential $1700/month child care tuition costs. That's a rent or mortgage payment. And it will NOT be our child care cost. I would lose my penny-pinching mind.

I guess we're going to have to start interviewing places soon (I've been advised that there's an open house at one of them this weekend) as all contacted providers have reported a 4-7 month wait list. It's weird to have to start arranging for our baby's care when I'm not even halfway through growing him. On a positive note, I haven't yet started researching baby gear, but I'm sure it will seem cheap in comparison...