As many of you probably have experienced already, I have the itch.  

I am new to real estate so I would be very greatfu for some professional feed back.

I would guess it could be done but you should really talk with a mortgage professional before taking that leap of faith.

I will be taking a little pause (about 3 months off) around Christmas or New Years for the birth of my first child and for some stuff I need to do professionally, but I plan on getting back at it next summer and having those 2 units completely up and running by the beginning of May 2018.  

Get deals done the right way and reach out to experienced real estate investors on BiggerPockets.

Not to mention you also have much more flexibility with the tax code.Other options would be to buy better cash-flowing rentals (tough in this market), qualify your spouse as a real estate professional, or sell the property.

Every experienced investor have said to do a minimum of 2 years, best 3+.

I have money, currently invested in the stock market, that I would like to use as a private money lender with experienced RE investors.

I've been a full time professional Realtor, specializing in investment property since 1989. 

They even turn down experienced investors so it will be nearly impossible to get on with little or no experience.