I really don't have a lot to complain about, but the last baby shower brought the onset of puff pasty ankles. They baked in the oven that was my shoe and have not come down. I know if normal for the last trimester and few months, but they just look so bad. I am keeping them elevated to the point where I'm considering sleeping in a L-shape at night, but so far they go down when I go down and get up when get up.
Okay complaint time over.
Note: I did not get horns waggled with the furniture. It arrived within a week's time and if only my spouse would get his lazy tail together to put it up I'd be a happier camper.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Baby Shower #2
Okay, so this was the official one thrown for me by my mother and sister. It was such a cool day. My aunts, cousins and friends from school were there. My mother fixed these programs with my baby picture on them, oh so cute. It was a bit cloudy and rainy throughout the afternoon, but when I arrived at the very church and in the very sanctuary where we got married seven years ago, the emotions were running rampant. There were lovely gifts, a fantabulous (new word) spread of food and drink and games ready to be played. There was a PowerPoint presentation in the back with pics of James and myself as a child. He was a cute baby, I must admit. My mother-in-law and I were both given sashes to wear at the shower. Mine read "Mother-to Be" and hers "Grandmother-to-Be." She loved it.
So we played games and eat and since the weather wasn't the best went straight into opening gifts and my friends quickly got an assembly line going. It all seemed to happen so fast and I tried to savour every moment, but I swear it took me a while to take it all in.
Pictures will come later, but I loved that so many relatives who drove from Virginia and Maryland to see me were there that I felt so honored and blessed. I could barely contain myself when it came time for me to say a few words. And after a few hours it was over, kind of like the wedding. I got some great gifts from friends, my mother's co-workers, cousins, godmothers, and James and I were able to take a picture with the Reverend that married us. He just happened to be there that day and the feeling that things were coming full circle was apparent.
I cannot express how loved and blessed I felt that day. I felt lucky to have so many care about me and the baby and show it with their time and attention. It's not often I get that kind of attention as I tend to shy away from it most of the time, but I welcomed it that day and I am forever truly grateful.
PS.
This may sound ungrateful, but okay so folks, I need diapers. Diapers are good.
So we played games and eat and since the weather wasn't the best went straight into opening gifts and my friends quickly got an assembly line going. It all seemed to happen so fast and I tried to savour every moment, but I swear it took me a while to take it all in.
Pictures will come later, but I loved that so many relatives who drove from Virginia and Maryland to see me were there that I felt so honored and blessed. I could barely contain myself when it came time for me to say a few words. And after a few hours it was over, kind of like the wedding. I got some great gifts from friends, my mother's co-workers, cousins, godmothers, and James and I were able to take a picture with the Reverend that married us. He just happened to be there that day and the feeling that things were coming full circle was apparent.
I cannot express how loved and blessed I felt that day. I felt lucky to have so many care about me and the baby and show it with their time and attention. It's not often I get that kind of attention as I tend to shy away from it most of the time, but I welcomed it that day and I am forever truly grateful.
PS.
This may sound ungrateful, but okay so folks, I need diapers. Diapers are good.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Non-Sympathy Weight
I am beginning to feel the weight of the baby now. I'm also beginning to feel the weight of this enormous task I'm about to undertake. I must be honest. I'm feeling nervous these days. Not necessarily worried, but it's that incredible urge to not want to make a mistake that you know will inevitably happen.
Will the room be ready and have everything it needs. Will people show up to my shower even though they're not giving RSVPs? Will my baby take to breastfeeding, regardless of how much I prepare my body for it? Will she have everything "I think" she needs? How will James "be" when the baby comes? How will I be? Will postpartum depression set in? Will I be able to sleep when I have the opportunity to sleep?
I know that most of the answers to these questions are positive and people tell me all the time that my instincts will kick in, but how do you know if they'll kick in if you've never used them before. I guess it'll be different when she's actually here and I know she's mine and the possessive mother-bear-protecting-her-cub thing will set in.
I'm carrying pretty low right now and she laying on my bladder real good these days, but I'm not as uncomfortable as I expected to be. None of this is a bad as people make it out to be. I'm not fully prepared for everything, but I'm not scared either. I'm just don't want to screw anything up. I consider myself an educated person and I want to act accordingly when it comes to my daughter, my husband and my family.
Oh yeah, new realization: Naps are your friends.
Will the room be ready and have everything it needs. Will people show up to my shower even though they're not giving RSVPs? Will my baby take to breastfeeding, regardless of how much I prepare my body for it? Will she have everything "I think" she needs? How will James "be" when the baby comes? How will I be? Will postpartum depression set in? Will I be able to sleep when I have the opportunity to sleep?
I know that most of the answers to these questions are positive and people tell me all the time that my instincts will kick in, but how do you know if they'll kick in if you've never used them before. I guess it'll be different when she's actually here and I know she's mine and the possessive mother-bear-protecting-her-cub thing will set in.
I'm carrying pretty low right now and she laying on my bladder real good these days, but I'm not as uncomfortable as I expected to be. None of this is a bad as people make it out to be. I'm not fully prepared for everything, but I'm not scared either. I'm just don't want to screw anything up. I consider myself an educated person and I want to act accordingly when it comes to my daughter, my husband and my family.
Oh yeah, new realization: Naps are your friends.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Surprise Shower
Every year I attend a retreat that we call "Exhale" and during this trip we eat till we're silly, share our experiences over the past year, get messages, swap candles and craft and enjoy the lovely view of the North Carolina beach outside our window. It began as a birthday party over the weekend for two sisters and over the last 13 years has grown into an escape where people make of it what they need to.
So on the third day I received a surprise baby shower. Now I should have had a clue, but I felt since my sister was leaving early and nothing had happened, I'd seen everyone later this month. My sister had toted me around the outlet malls shopping for Coach bags and groceries. She was buying all these unnecessary items sporadically that were for the shower and I had no idea, like a tape measure and orange sherbet. I was thinking, "what is she doing?"
So when we get back to the house all of a sudden, my sister wants to use the elevator (yeah, the place is that big) to get to the kitchen and when I come out the door, I see this party awaiting my presence with food, gifts and decorations. I immediately go into tears because I've never had a surprise anything before. I felt so honored and special and loved at that moment and I was completely clueless.
After taking a few minutes to get myself together, I sat down and played games, opened gifts for my little girl and had a ball laughing and reading cards with 30 of best women around. I've sent out the thank you cards, but sometimes there just weren't enough words for me to use to show how gracious and appreciated I was that people thought enough of me and my child to take part. It was a special time and at the time I was overwhelmed, but have realized how blessed I am to have people around me who love me, care about me and wish the best for me in life.
I was answering questions from this mental health survey for pregnant women at my doctors office and I assume they were to probe for depression and many of them addressed whether we had anyone to go to if we needed help or if we felt our lives or our day wasn't going well. I never could say I never had anyone and that's how I knew I was different. I am blessed and so is my child because I know I'm not alone and will never be to bring this child into the world. So, thank you.
So on the third day I received a surprise baby shower. Now I should have had a clue, but I felt since my sister was leaving early and nothing had happened, I'd seen everyone later this month. My sister had toted me around the outlet malls shopping for Coach bags and groceries. She was buying all these unnecessary items sporadically that were for the shower and I had no idea, like a tape measure and orange sherbet. I was thinking, "what is she doing?"
So when we get back to the house all of a sudden, my sister wants to use the elevator (yeah, the place is that big) to get to the kitchen and when I come out the door, I see this party awaiting my presence with food, gifts and decorations. I immediately go into tears because I've never had a surprise anything before. I felt so honored and special and loved at that moment and I was completely clueless.
After taking a few minutes to get myself together, I sat down and played games, opened gifts for my little girl and had a ball laughing and reading cards with 30 of best women around. I've sent out the thank you cards, but sometimes there just weren't enough words for me to use to show how gracious and appreciated I was that people thought enough of me and my child to take part. It was a special time and at the time I was overwhelmed, but have realized how blessed I am to have people around me who love me, care about me and wish the best for me in life.
I was answering questions from this mental health survey for pregnant women at my doctors office and I assume they were to probe for depression and many of them addressed whether we had anyone to go to if we needed help or if we felt our lives or our day wasn't going well. I never could say I never had anyone and that's how I knew I was different. I am blessed and so is my child because I know I'm not alone and will never be to bring this child into the world. So, thank you.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Two Months to Go
I know this seems so short to have a baby blog for four and a half months, but I'm trying to jam pack in as much as I can without giving away too much.
So now I have to go over the body changes. Aside from the belly which was always big, I have to consciously think about how I walk. I'm trying as much as possible not to waddle, not to lean back with one hand on the back/hip for balance. My posture is being tested everyday now with this baby. The major change that has occurred in the last two weeks has been the swelling of the ankles and feet. They look like they swallowed a mango for breakfast. I've been trying to keep them elevated as I don't need to buy new shoes along with the new clothes. The right ankle is first to go puff pastry on me. The left will follow after a few hours. Thank goodness they go down while I sleep or else I'd forget what they originally looked like.
People keep saying my nose is widening, but I can't tell. I look at my face everyday which I think is way too often to notice a difference. The boobs have not been spilling over as I expected them too, but the nipple area is a whole other story. No where in "What to Expect When Your Expecting" does it mention the itchy, pealing areola. It's subsided now, but in the last three months I had to remind myself not to scratch in public because I was doing it so often at home.
That's pretty much it for the bodily changes. I must say this pregnancy has been pretty smooth. I've enjoyed the tenure here is bun-in-the-oven land. Next up is the surprise shower I got while on vacation. I was completely clueless.
Sympathy Weight Update: Now he's getting the heartburn! I think he's going to start having Brackston-Hicks contractions soon.
So now I have to go over the body changes. Aside from the belly which was always big, I have to consciously think about how I walk. I'm trying as much as possible not to waddle, not to lean back with one hand on the back/hip for balance. My posture is being tested everyday now with this baby. The major change that has occurred in the last two weeks has been the swelling of the ankles and feet. They look like they swallowed a mango for breakfast. I've been trying to keep them elevated as I don't need to buy new shoes along with the new clothes. The right ankle is first to go puff pastry on me. The left will follow after a few hours. Thank goodness they go down while I sleep or else I'd forget what they originally looked like.
People keep saying my nose is widening, but I can't tell. I look at my face everyday which I think is way too often to notice a difference. The boobs have not been spilling over as I expected them too, but the nipple area is a whole other story. No where in "What to Expect When Your Expecting" does it mention the itchy, pealing areola. It's subsided now, but in the last three months I had to remind myself not to scratch in public because I was doing it so often at home.
That's pretty much it for the bodily changes. I must say this pregnancy has been pretty smooth. I've enjoyed the tenure here is bun-in-the-oven land. Next up is the surprise shower I got while on vacation. I was completely clueless.
Sympathy Weight Update: Now he's getting the heartburn! I think he's going to start having Brackston-Hicks contractions soon.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sympathy Weight
My coworker commented recently that she felt my husband was taking on some of my symptoms and the longer I thought about it I was convinced she was correct. I'd heard of this phenomenon of "sympathy weight" gained by the father during a woman's pregnancy, but I think we're experiencing another phenomenon. I think my husband is pregnant too, emotionally.
Well before I discovered I was pregnant, I noticed my husband was having mood swings and eating at odd times of the day and night. Normally a trip to the gym would help, but he had a hard time even doing that. After it was confirmed that I was indeed expecting, he went into this "prepartum" depression, but for men.
He was unmotivated, he had trouble sleeping at all times of the day and night. He ate everything in the house that wasn't stapled down. He would do weird-craving things like eating all the M&M's out of the trial mix I bought. He asks for milkshakes now and grills burgers at 1:00 am well after we've already eaten dinner. He's clingy and touchy-feely, which he has NEVER been at any time in our relationship. He calls me at work in the middle of the day, on my work phone just to ask how I'm doing, which just melted my heart I must say. It's sort of sweet to see him this vulnerable and it's also strange. I chalk up most of it to the nervousness that we are about to be parents soon and really haven't had that much prep-time, so I try to include him in all the processes so he'll know this is a joint effort we are going through together. Little did I know just how much.
I am certainly monitoring this behaviour as evidenced by this blog and I'm really in awe of it because I'm finally seeing the teddy bear side of him that likes to peak it's head out once in a while. I cannot wait to see him with the baby once she's here.
As far as any actual sympathy weight, he hasn't actually gained any yet as I really haven't myself, but I believe he feels the weight of the pregnancy and fatherhood like a I feel this fetus. He is taking it well seeing that we've only known about the pregnancy for about 30 days now. In March we're scheduled to take a few birthing classes together, you know pillows and breathing. That should be fun.
Next blog: Bodily changes, I promise not to get too graphic.
Well before I discovered I was pregnant, I noticed my husband was having mood swings and eating at odd times of the day and night. Normally a trip to the gym would help, but he had a hard time even doing that. After it was confirmed that I was indeed expecting, he went into this "prepartum" depression, but for men.
He was unmotivated, he had trouble sleeping at all times of the day and night. He ate everything in the house that wasn't stapled down. He would do weird-craving things like eating all the M&M's out of the trial mix I bought. He asks for milkshakes now and grills burgers at 1:00 am well after we've already eaten dinner. He's clingy and touchy-feely, which he has NEVER been at any time in our relationship. He calls me at work in the middle of the day, on my work phone just to ask how I'm doing, which just melted my heart I must say. It's sort of sweet to see him this vulnerable and it's also strange. I chalk up most of it to the nervousness that we are about to be parents soon and really haven't had that much prep-time, so I try to include him in all the processes so he'll know this is a joint effort we are going through together. Little did I know just how much.
I am certainly monitoring this behaviour as evidenced by this blog and I'm really in awe of it because I'm finally seeing the teddy bear side of him that likes to peak it's head out once in a while. I cannot wait to see him with the baby once she's here.
As far as any actual sympathy weight, he hasn't actually gained any yet as I really haven't myself, but I believe he feels the weight of the pregnancy and fatherhood like a I feel this fetus. He is taking it well seeing that we've only known about the pregnancy for about 30 days now. In March we're scheduled to take a few birthing classes together, you know pillows and breathing. That should be fun.
Next blog: Bodily changes, I promise not to get too graphic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
