I am coming to the end of a way too short maternity leave next week, and these last 9 weeks have been some of the best in my life. I have a demanding job, but I dream of being a SAHM. It's just not an option for us though, neither is part time. Spending everyday with my girls, especially my toddler has been so wonderful. I feel like I've gotten to know her so much better over these last two months and my heart is completely broken now that I have to go back to seeing her only an hour or two on weekdays. I am crying every night already. I know the transition will be so hard for her, and me crying hysterically when I leave for work is going to be very counterproductive. However, my sadness is so overwhelming that I don't know how I am going to put on a brave face. When I came back from maternity leave the first time, it didn't matter that I bawled every morning because she was a baby and didn't know the difference. My heart just aches thinking about it.

ETA: DD1 is 2.5 DD2 is 8 weeks. Of course my heart breaks for leaving DD2 as well but I am mostly worried about my emotions effecting DD1.