New Years is probably the only time of the year when I look at my life and think things like 'that really sucked' or 'most amazing time ever!'. The entire year and all of the holidays that we celebrate make us look back on times in our lives that we wouldn't normally.
- Valentines day reminds us of old lovers and how horrible past relationships were.
- St Patrick's Day makes us think about alcohol related activities and fun we may have had with friends, family and even people that we don't like so much anymore.
- Easter makes me think about childhood and the ways that I will celebrate with my little ones some day. It also makes me think about my future; how many children I will have, if I'll be a good mother.
- Summer time isn't a holiday but it always makes me think of childhood memories like running through the sprinklers or playing night games with friends.
- Halloween makes me think of the stories of all of the fictional and non-fictional characters adults and children dress like. It makes me think about their stories and also all of the past Halloween celebrations that I have taken place in.
- Thanksgiving, even though only celebrated here in the US, makes me think of all of the things that I am thankful for. It is also a powerful reminder to be tolerant and understand the history of things the way that they actually happened instead of just making up some happy story. It's a reminder that we have so much to be thankful for because of the sacrifices and hard times.
- Christmas is a time of love and family. I'm not a religious person but there are so many aspects of the holiday that make me happy and thoughtful. Christmas should be a reminder that you should treat people well and give back ALL times throughout the year.
I feel the two of them should be mentioned separately because they make me think of different things. New Year's Eve makes me think about the last year while New Year's Day makes me think about the next year and my hopes for it.
- New Year's Eve, tonight, I think about all of the things in my life that have changed and how those things have affected me. At the beginning of the year, M and I lived with his Father and step-mother after some very unfortunate circumstances involving other family. Although the circumstances made me feel weak and like I didn't have control, so many good things came out of the situation. I got to know my father-in-law and his wife better and I learned that they are some of the most amazing, loving people that I know.
In May, we moved into our own place. It's small but it's alright for now. The rent is really cheap and it's a home. When we first moved in, we had a problem with spiders. We hired somebody to come spray the house and then we had a problem with earwigs. After 4 times of them coming to spray, we have not seen a bug in months. We haven't been able to save up money like we thought we would but we have been able to afford to live mostly-comfortable while living here because of the price. M also started his new job in May. He's been there ever since and, even though the pay isn't wonderful, the insurance has been pretty good.
In September, after what felt like a very long time of trying, we found out that we are pregnant. We were, and still are, ecstatic. I never really wanted children before but, as soon as M and I met, I knew that I wanted to have a family with him. He is the most amazing thing to me and I am so happy to be taking this journey with him.
- New Year's Day, as sad as it may seem, makes me think of more negative things from the past year and what I can do to change them. I'm not a 'New Year's Resolution' maker; I'm more of a goal maker because goals can be small or large.
Most of the time, I'll think for a second or two on this day about losing weight but this year, it's the opposite. Not necessarily gaining weight but being healthy for the pregnancy. I've lost about 40 pounds since conceiving and, although it may be okay, I think that if I keep losing, it may become an issue so I will need to focus on eating more. Not more food, just more often to keep my metabolism going. I also think that I should be paying attention to WHAT I eat even more than I do now. I rarely eat meat and don't eat fast food very often but I think it's time to cut the meat completely out and, if I have to eat out, get something healthy instead of letting myself indulge.
We are in our own place now but it isn't big enough to have a baby! Not only that, it isn't big enough for my Boxer, Zelda, either and she is the second born (the cat was first). The biggest, toughest thing that I want for the New Year is a new home. I want something with a yard so Zelda can go outside when she needs to or even when she just wants to play. I also have to admit that a large back yard would be amazing because there's nothing like sitting out on a summer day reading a good book (under an umbrella, of course). We really wanted to buy a place but M has just a few more things to do to bring his credit up to par so it isn't a possibility for us yet.
The most important thing about the New Year to me is just having our happy, healthy baby boy. The idea of delivering is horrifying but I have a lot more research to do on that as well. I know that he will change our lives forever and it is a change that M and I welcome and look forward to.
I think most of the things for next year come down to preparing for the baby. We need to collect things, I want to have a nursery ready for him and have all of the supplies that we need so, when we come home, we can all have time as a family and bond.
Sorry for the very long post. I could write more and more but I won't. Some things can stay in my head. :)
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
17 weeks, 4 days - I felt the baby move this morning!
M and I were lying in bed this morning (he works afternoons so it was more like late morning) just snuggling and trying to talk ourselves out of getting out of bed. My cat, Sammy, kept trying to climb on me to sleep, just like she does every night, and I kept kicking her off. Finally, I decided to let her just lay one me. She climbed on my stomach (I was laying on my back), stood there for a second (long enough for me to remember that her little feet felt like daggers with all of her weight on them) and then decided to disappear onto my legs instead. Seconds after she moved, it felt like the baby was doing flips inside of me! I really think that he must have been trying to get comfortable again after Sammy had woken him. I questioned at first but I felt him moving around in there all day! I think he must like Mexican food because he moved around a lot after I got done eating too. LOL!
Of course, I told M as soon as I felt it. I feel kind of bad because he can't feel it too so I tried to find the best way to describe it.
'You know that feeling that you get in your stomach when you're riding a rollercoaster and it drops? Well, it feels like that but your stomach doesn't try to jump out of your throat, it just moves a lot.'
It's so crazy different! I'll be able to feel him moving around in there now. It's like it was just over night. I can't help but to wonder if it's the large movements that I'm feeling and he's just moving around a ton in there or if I'm feeling all of it.
We have our full anatomy scan coming up in January and I'm hoping to be able to get lots of pictures from it to post! They should be awesome because they will count his fingers and toes and make sure that all of his organs are there, among many other things they will look at!
Also, a lot of my facebook friends were asking for a belly picture so I took one yesterday. :)
Of course, I told M as soon as I felt it. I feel kind of bad because he can't feel it too so I tried to find the best way to describe it.
'You know that feeling that you get in your stomach when you're riding a rollercoaster and it drops? Well, it feels like that but your stomach doesn't try to jump out of your throat, it just moves a lot.'
It's so crazy different! I'll be able to feel him moving around in there now. It's like it was just over night. I can't help but to wonder if it's the large movements that I'm feeling and he's just moving around a ton in there or if I'm feeling all of it.
We have our full anatomy scan coming up in January and I'm hoping to be able to get lots of pictures from it to post! They should be awesome because they will count his fingers and toes and make sure that all of his organs are there, among many other things they will look at!
Also, a lot of my facebook friends were asking for a belly picture so I took one yesterday. :)
Friday, December 28, 2012
Gender Check Ultrasound...
12/20 - 16 weeks, 1 day
OB appointment. I lost another 5 pounds since last month but the weight loss is slowing down and the doctor said that I should be gaining soon. I only had a few small complaints like sleeping problems, headaches, backaches and a few other things that I can't remember right now. The doctor said that I need to be drinking more water. Baby's heart rate was about 120 BPM. The doctor said everything looks great.
12/21 - 16 weeks, 1 day
We went in for the gender check ultrasound because I couldn't wait until after Christmas to tell our families. We sat in the waiting room for longer than expected but I think the anxiety of the whole thing wasn't too bad; not to mention that I woke up late and drank a bottle of water and a soda only a half an hour before we got there (they recommend an hour so the baby is active). We were led to a comfortable sized room with a monitor for the tech to use and a large TV hanging from the corner of the room so me and M could watch everything that happened.
Here are the results:
OB appointment. I lost another 5 pounds since last month but the weight loss is slowing down and the doctor said that I should be gaining soon. I only had a few small complaints like sleeping problems, headaches, backaches and a few other things that I can't remember right now. The doctor said that I need to be drinking more water. Baby's heart rate was about 120 BPM. The doctor said everything looks great.
12/21 - 16 weeks, 1 day
We went in for the gender check ultrasound because I couldn't wait until after Christmas to tell our families. We sat in the waiting room for longer than expected but I think the anxiety of the whole thing wasn't too bad; not to mention that I woke up late and drank a bottle of water and a soda only a half an hour before we got there (they recommend an hour so the baby is active). We were led to a comfortable sized room with a monitor for the tech to use and a large TV hanging from the corner of the room so me and M could watch everything that happened.
Here are the results:
Monday, December 17, 2012
Questions for accomplished mommas...
I have a lot of questions that I'm not sure who to ask. I don't personally feel like they're embarrassing but I feel like i may embarrass others by asking. If you can answer any of the questions below, feel free to answer anonymously if you'd like but please answer if you can!
1. After I start feeling the baby move, is it going to make sex awkward? I just imagine being in the middle of doing the deed and feeling the baby move. Will it kill the mood?
2. Breast feeding. Ha. I guess it isn't really a question but it's something that I'm very nervous about. I'm not nervous about doing it later on. I'm more nervous about the first time and getting into the swing of it. I intend on exclusively breastfeeding and not supplementing with formula. Any tips about this would be awesome!
- I think it would help to hear first-time breastfeeding stories
- Tips and tricks to ensure a good milk supply.
- Things that are not safe to eat or drink while breastfeeding. What if I do have a drink? What do I do then?
- Solutions to normal breastfeeding conditions like sore nipples, blocked ducts, etc.
- Pumping tips. Freezing or refrigerating? How often to pump when at home and when not at home, etc.
- Comfortable nursing positions? It seems strange but, no matter how many I play out in my head, they don't seem comfortable for mother or baby.
Thank you so much for reading. If you think you know somebody that can answer some of these questions, please feel free to direct them to my page! I have a lot more questions but I'll save them for another post and another day.
1. After I start feeling the baby move, is it going to make sex awkward? I just imagine being in the middle of doing the deed and feeling the baby move. Will it kill the mood?
2. Breast feeding. Ha. I guess it isn't really a question but it's something that I'm very nervous about. I'm not nervous about doing it later on. I'm more nervous about the first time and getting into the swing of it. I intend on exclusively breastfeeding and not supplementing with formula. Any tips about this would be awesome!
- I think it would help to hear first-time breastfeeding stories
- Tips and tricks to ensure a good milk supply.
- Things that are not safe to eat or drink while breastfeeding. What if I do have a drink? What do I do then?
- Solutions to normal breastfeeding conditions like sore nipples, blocked ducts, etc.
- Pumping tips. Freezing or refrigerating? How often to pump when at home and when not at home, etc.
- Comfortable nursing positions? It seems strange but, no matter how many I play out in my head, they don't seem comfortable for mother or baby.
Thank you so much for reading. If you think you know somebody that can answer some of these questions, please feel free to direct them to my page! I have a lot more questions but I'll save them for another post and another day.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
15 weeks, 4 days
I realize how easy I have life as a pregnant woman. I'm constantly reading about women who have crippling morning sickness or who are put on bed-rest early on. I still feel like I have the right to complain about the little things like headaches, backaches and the inability to sleep (or stay asleep).
I also have to say that I am fully aware of how lucky I am to have my husband. He has gone to every appointment that I've had, he was pretty good when I've had problems with food aversions or just not feeling well and he's tried to be very supportive of me the whole time. I've tried to educate myself on everything that I can about pregnancy and one of the ways that I figured I could get an accurate representation is by reading blogs and catching up on statistics about pregnancy, symptoms and relationships. Even when we go to the doctor's office, they always seem so surprised that M is there with me again. This is all not to mention all of the single mothers out there who go through all of it alone. My husband is amazing.
Anyway, back to my complaints about pregnancy. I'm dying to feel the baby move! They say that it's usually between 16-22 weeks for most women to feel the baby and, being overweight, I should be further toward the 20ish week mark but I feel like feeling the baby move will make it feel more real. I don't feel pregnant at all. I still find the whole thing so hard to believe but, from what I've read, that is still normal at this point for most women so I'm not too worried about it.
I've decided that I don't find sleeping enjoyable anymore. I either have horrible, emotional dreams or I can't sleep at all. Yesterday, I finally got to nod off for a 3 hour nap and it was amazing.
The best thing about being in the second trimester is that the food aversions have mostly gone away and I'm actually hungry now. It makes me happy to finally be able to eat food and enough of it to feel like I have eaten. :)
I wanted to make a post about things that I'm thankful for because I feel like every post before this has been so negative!
As a very last note, our ultrasound to find out the gender of our baby is on the 21st and I can't wait. I have to be honest when I say that I'm more excited about getting to see the baby move around than I am to to find out the gender.
I also have to say that I am fully aware of how lucky I am to have my husband. He has gone to every appointment that I've had, he was pretty good when I've had problems with food aversions or just not feeling well and he's tried to be very supportive of me the whole time. I've tried to educate myself on everything that I can about pregnancy and one of the ways that I figured I could get an accurate representation is by reading blogs and catching up on statistics about pregnancy, symptoms and relationships. Even when we go to the doctor's office, they always seem so surprised that M is there with me again. This is all not to mention all of the single mothers out there who go through all of it alone. My husband is amazing.
Anyway, back to my complaints about pregnancy. I'm dying to feel the baby move! They say that it's usually between 16-22 weeks for most women to feel the baby and, being overweight, I should be further toward the 20ish week mark but I feel like feeling the baby move will make it feel more real. I don't feel pregnant at all. I still find the whole thing so hard to believe but, from what I've read, that is still normal at this point for most women so I'm not too worried about it.
I've decided that I don't find sleeping enjoyable anymore. I either have horrible, emotional dreams or I can't sleep at all. Yesterday, I finally got to nod off for a 3 hour nap and it was amazing.
The best thing about being in the second trimester is that the food aversions have mostly gone away and I'm actually hungry now. It makes me happy to finally be able to eat food and enough of it to feel like I have eaten. :)
I wanted to make a post about things that I'm thankful for because I feel like every post before this has been so negative!
As a very last note, our ultrasound to find out the gender of our baby is on the 21st and I can't wait. I have to be honest when I say that I'm more excited about getting to see the baby move around than I am to to find out the gender.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Date for gender check ultrasound
My 16 week appointment is on the 20th of this month and we have an appointment for a gender check ultrasound for the next day. I'll be announcing it online on the 25th or 26th after the holidays though.
14 weeks, 5 days
I've started to have a little but of morning sickness this week. No vomiting, just nausea. It seems pretty manageable most of the time but can make it difficult to eat sometimes. The worst part is that if I get hungry, I get nauseated and can't eat so I get even more nauseated. I just try not to let myself get hungry.
In my first trimester, I lost 14 pounds. The doctor said that some loss can be completely normal in the first trimester and not to be too worried unless I keep losing weight through my second trimester. I've been trying to take in more calories per day but I'm finding it really hard to do. I've started by trying to add calories to everything that I do eat but I'm not sure if I've gained anything yet.
I've been having some cramping the last few days. It was pretty persistent the day before yesterday and then tapered off. The pain wasn't too bad so I didn't know if I should call anybody. There was no bleeding so I decided not to and just to bring it up at my next appointment. It was a different kind of pain that radiated from my lower abdomen to my vagina. When I googled it, that's the same way that a lot of people described the way contractions feel. I imagine that it would be normal to have some uterine pain at this point as it's expanding but I keep wondering if the kind of pain is normal.
When I don't have problems sleeping, I wake up to some weird dream; usually more like a nightmare. I've heard that strange dreams are completely normal during pregnancy but I wish my brain would leave my husband out of it. I love him and I hate waking up mad because the dreams felt so real! Sometimes I wake up every hour or so and have to change position a little bit and I have to admit that I feel like a little bit of a bad person for sleeping on my back for a small portion of the night. Everything that I've read says that sleeping on your back or even lying on your back for an extended period of time can cause issues with circulation to the fetus. I asked my husband for a pregnancy or body pillow for Christmas.
I went shopping yesterday and decided that I would check out some really cute sports bras that were on sale for super cheap. I grabbed the largest size that they had in a few different colors (almost knowing already that they wouldn't fit me) and then grabbed some other bras in the stores largest sizes to try on with them. Not one of them fit. I'm thinking that now I'm going to have to go to some super expensive specialty store to get a bra and I'm pretty pissed about it. I'm dreading finding out what cup size I am now since I was a DDD (or E) before pregnancy. None of my bras fit anymore so I've been almost exclusively relying on tank tops with shelves in them and one bra that is old and stretched to fit me (even though it's nowhere near the right size).
Other than the above complaints and being teary eyed at everything, pregnancy has been pretty good to me. I haven't had morning sickness to the point of vomiting and that's a big positive. I'm even thinking about going back to work for a while.
Bras
In my first trimester, I lost 14 pounds. The doctor said that some loss can be completely normal in the first trimester and not to be too worried unless I keep losing weight through my second trimester. I've been trying to take in more calories per day but I'm finding it really hard to do. I've started by trying to add calories to everything that I do eat but I'm not sure if I've gained anything yet.
I've been having some cramping the last few days. It was pretty persistent the day before yesterday and then tapered off. The pain wasn't too bad so I didn't know if I should call anybody. There was no bleeding so I decided not to and just to bring it up at my next appointment. It was a different kind of pain that radiated from my lower abdomen to my vagina. When I googled it, that's the same way that a lot of people described the way contractions feel. I imagine that it would be normal to have some uterine pain at this point as it's expanding but I keep wondering if the kind of pain is normal.
When I don't have problems sleeping, I wake up to some weird dream; usually more like a nightmare. I've heard that strange dreams are completely normal during pregnancy but I wish my brain would leave my husband out of it. I love him and I hate waking up mad because the dreams felt so real! Sometimes I wake up every hour or so and have to change position a little bit and I have to admit that I feel like a little bit of a bad person for sleeping on my back for a small portion of the night. Everything that I've read says that sleeping on your back or even lying on your back for an extended period of time can cause issues with circulation to the fetus. I asked my husband for a pregnancy or body pillow for Christmas.
I went shopping yesterday and decided that I would check out some really cute sports bras that were on sale for super cheap. I grabbed the largest size that they had in a few different colors (almost knowing already that they wouldn't fit me) and then grabbed some other bras in the stores largest sizes to try on with them. Not one of them fit. I'm thinking that now I'm going to have to go to some super expensive specialty store to get a bra and I'm pretty pissed about it. I'm dreading finding out what cup size I am now since I was a DDD (or E) before pregnancy. None of my bras fit anymore so I've been almost exclusively relying on tank tops with shelves in them and one bra that is old and stretched to fit me (even though it's nowhere near the right size).
Other than the above complaints and being teary eyed at everything, pregnancy has been pretty good to me. I haven't had morning sickness to the point of vomiting and that's a big positive. I'm even thinking about going back to work for a while.
Bras
Saturday, December 1, 2012
13 weeks, 3 days
Things have been pretty good overall. I can't really complain at all! A little but of nausea but no vomiting so I'm still super happy about that! I thought I updated with our 12 week ultrasound but I didn't so I'm posting it now! I also don't know If I'll be doing any more bump pictures for a bit. I've been losing weight and there is nothing to see.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)