Re the daycare dilemma, you might consider a preschool program. When I was on maternity leave, my daughter started a 3 hrs/day, 3 days/week class that was very affordable. I think all the other kids had a SAHP, work from home parent, or grandmother (or at least someone with a non traditional schedule) dping drops offs and pick ups. It was really nice to have a few hours in the morning with the baby, but my eldest wasn't gone all day.